Libby Hill 2009 – The Year in Review

We termed 2008 as “the year that changed the tide” but in 2009 has become the year Libby Hill has found its place on the map and community.  The last year was difficult for everyone with a vicious economy, and ongoing war, and uncertainty at every turn.  Still through all this, people discovered the serenity and economy of visiting Libby Hill Trails.  The parking lot started seeing more cars, you met more neighbors in the woods, and when help was needed more people than ever showed up!

So what happened last year….. lots!

Save Libby Hill Campaign – we reduced our mortgage from $40,000 in January to under $14,000 at the end of December.  We now just need to climb to the finish in 2010.  The GCE also completed the funding from the Land for Maine’s Future ($69,000) and the town of Gray ($25,000).  We are so close and want our supporters to participate in our 10-10-10 program so we can finally burn our mortgage in 2010!

Marden’s Lady Came to Save Libby Hill! – in March, Birdie Googins, provided a one woman show at the Gray Middle School to make us all laugh.  Birdie also took her own personal snowshoe trail up Libby Hill to see what all the ‘excitement is about’!

Two Grants Obtained by the GCE - Hannaford and Margaret Burnham Trusts both granted the GCE $3.000 toward the Save Libby Hill Campaign.

Snowshoe Tours – Six snowshoe tours got lots of new enthusiasts to snowshoeing.  Two full moon snowshoe tours were sold out for the second year in a row! 

Newsletter Created – Libby Hill Happenings started distribution in the fall of 2009.  The newsletter provides over 300 subscribers to updates on the trails.

Ghost and Lynx Trails Created – The Lynx trail provides a quick access to the trail system from the parking lot and the Ghost Trail reuses our original trail on the back side of the hill.  The addition of these two trails provides many more loop options for trail users.  Over 50 volunteers made two trail days the best ever!

Permanent Signage on Route 26 – Finally two new signs for Libby Hill on Route 26 provide over 16,000 cars a day with directions for getting to the trails.

Invasive Barberry Removal Project –Over 200 invasive barberry plants were removed this spring and summer.  These plants threatened to take over the under story near moist soil areas, primarily around the Turkey Trot Trail.

Maps Updated – The highly prized trail maps created by Tracy Ross were completed redesigned and updated with new trails.  Over 30 laminated maps have been placed at all trail intersections and two large maps replaced in the kiosks.

Geocaches Added – Two new geocaches were added to bring the total geocache count to seven on the trail system.  This fun hide and seek activity using a GPS brings dozens of geocachers to Libby Hill.  Also new is a downloadable geocache guide for Libby Hill.

   Libby Hill started its own Facebook page in November and is adding new ‘fans’ almost every day.  This social network is a great way to get trail conditions and share photos.

Photos, Photos, Photos! - Over 100 new photos this year can be viewed on Picasa at this link

Friends of Libby Hill continues to grow, we added a few more very dedicated volunteers who were critical in keeping Libby Hill growing!