• As a member of the 12 Town Trails Group Portland is participating in the development of a grant funded Air Line Trail master plan. The master plan will feature a unique chapter on Portland's Trail Spur that will serve as the master plan for future expansion of the trail and include connectivity with Portland's Village Center and the Town of East Hampton. 

• The Town, through its Air Line Trail Committee acquired a lease from Eversource for 2.3 miles along the Air Line Trail.

• The Town was awarded a $600,000+ grant to build the 2.3 mile Air Line Trail, which was completed in 2018.

• We have tentative plans for the next 1-2 miles to continue the Trail westward to Route 17.

• Development Planner Mary Dickerson completed the text and photography for a phone App that directs trailer users to area restaurants and businesses. With estimates of individual trail trips nearly doubled during the pandemic, this helps to promote both the trail and local businesses. 

• Parking lot improvements to the Trail head and additional shaded areas and rest stops were added in 2020

• Boy Scouts have joined to assist in the building of benches and a new flag pole.

The Air Line Trail Committee is exploring how to extend the Trail west of its current location. Engineering students from Central CT State University are considering this effort as a Senior Project Topic.

• East Hampton is currently working with a contractor to continue the Trail from the end of the Portland Air Line Trail to the East Hampton portion of the Trail. State Grant Funds are being used for this effort.