The Boothbay Board of Selectmen has granted public access to the walking trails at Bigelow Laboratories’ campus. At the October 22 meeting, the selectmen motioned to approve the measures pursuant to the contract zone that was agreed between the town of Boothbay and Bigelow Laboratories to allow the public access to the three main walking trails that loop around the waterfront property in East Boothbay.

Since the start of the construction of the Bigelow facilities in 2010, the trails that previously existed were partially lost under the footprint of the new buildings. Since the approval of the public easements, Bigelow has committed to upgrading and maintaining the 1.5 miles of trails, and will provide designated parking and an information kiosk for hikers. Both Dr. Graham Shimmield, the executive director of Bigelow and Dr. Mary Neal, the spokesperson for the Boothbay Community Trail Partnership were present at the meeting. Shimmield said the trails would be completed in the spring of 2013, but the public will have access in the winter if they desire.