Twin Rivers Pledges $45,000 to Local FSTA Organization for Land Acquisition

Cross Country Skiers Competitng

Local Area High School Students use FSTA trails for Nordic Competition

Madawaska, ME (January 13, 2015) – Twin Rivers Paper Company shows its community support for the Four Seasons Trail Association (FSTA) by pledging up to $45,000 for land acquisition.  The organization is looking to purchase the land on which their trails and lodge are located to make the multi-use trails permanent.

“After seeing the work & dedication the volunteers put in to create the lodge in 2007, we knew that the trails, primarily on private land, had to become a permanent part of the facility.  After the lodge was completed, the directors embarked on a multi-year initiative to ensure the trails would be permanently available for public use,” said John Ezzy, Executive Director of FSTA.

FTSA President Colin Jandreau added, “Ownership of the land gives us the opportunity to make much-needed changes to the trail footprint, accommodating an even greater number of people from serious athletes in training, to recreational users looking to enjoy the outdoors and maintain their fitness.”

Over the past eight years, the organization has been buying land from the owners, raising over $250,000 in local contributions and grant money to acquire more than  150 out of the approximately 240 acres of land.

Twin Rivers pledged to help with the final two parcels of land which total 90 acres through a program that matches funds raised by FSTA between 2015 and 2018.  To date, FSTA has raised approximately $20,000.00 toward the goal.

“We are lucky to have a resource like FSTA that is committed to providing the recreational facilities that foster an appreciation of the natural beauty of the St. John Valley and encourage residents to be active. Supporting this organization and its world-class trail system is a win, win for everyone,” commented Tim Lowe, CEO of Twin Rivers Paper Company.

To make a donation, visit www.fourseasonstrail.org.  Donations of any amount are appreciated and will be used to purchase the final parcel of land.

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Four Seasons Trail Association (FSTA) is a non-profit, volunteer organization that fundraised, designed and built a world class Nordic ski, snowshoe, mountain bike and hiking facility that is accessible to the public.  The lodge is surrounded by a network of trails historically privately owned but publicly accessible with landowner permission.  The organization has been purchasing the trail land to continue creating a world-class outdoor recreation center accessible to the community. For more information, visit the website at fourseasonstrail.org.

 

Media Contact:
Brian McAlary
(203) 273-9428
brian.mcalary@twinriverspaper.com