WOODSTOCK — This month and last, several determined rock busters have been swinging hammers at Woodstock’s Buck’s Ledge, clearing the land for a long-awaited and meaningful project: the Trail for All.

The Woodstock Conservation Commission, the driving force behind the trail and the acquisition of the mountain, has been committed to preserving this land for future generations. In 2021, Woodstock voters allocated $80,000 in conservation funds to preserve all 646 acres of Buck’s Ledge. The Woodstock Community Forest Committee raised an additional $175,000 in private donations, and $329,000 was granted through the Land for Maine’s Future program.

With previous trails already leading to Buck’s Ledge, Lapham’s Ledge, and Moody Mountain—as well as a connector trail to the Woodstock School—this new addition may be the final piece in the network, though, with this group, you never know.

Matt Coughlan, owner of Recon Trail Design, is leading the effort. He and his four-person crew have been moving massive boulders and recently installed a culvert at the trail’s midpoint to manage water runoff where the trail bends.

Coughlan shared the inspiration behind the project: a group of local schoolchildren who wanted to ensure that every classmate could experience the trail together. He said that original spirit has guided the design.

His company name, Recon, comes from a blend of “recreation” and “conservation.” With experience building accessible trails in Northeast Vermont and New Hampshire, this project marks Recon’s first in Maine.

The process begins with excavating the topsoil to reach the mineral soil—what Coughlan describes as “the color of coffee with milk.” From there, layers of gravel are added, and stone “curbs” are installed for stability and structure. Among the crew is professional stonemason Jordan Rowell, of Albany, who is helping train the team in precise stonework.

The trail is expected to take six to eight weeks to complete, with a target finish date in mid-July.

For those who can’t easily leave their car, the viewing lot offers a scenic overlook. For others, the trail begins there, runs parallel to the existing logging road, and winds through the woods to end at a set of picnic tables.

“If we’re lucky enough to grow old, we’ll all benefit,” said Coughlan. “This trail is meant for everyone, regardless of ability.”