BAR HARBOR, Maine — After powerful back-to-back coastal storms in January ripped through Bar Harbor, the town’s iconic shore trail was left in disarray. The community has since rallied to fundraise the $1 million price tag for repairs.
Leading the charge are Greg and Julie Veilleux, who witnessed the destruction of the storms. They're celebrating 30 years of operating their downtown business, Window Panes, and decided to use the anniversary as an opportunity to give back to a place they love so much.
“It’s part of our daily routine,” Julie Veilleux said. “We walk [the path] twice a day. It’s the place you bring your family and friends to.”
Since June 13, the couple has been accepting donations they then match. In two weeks, they swiftly met their goal of $30,000. Still, the couple plans to keep accepting donations until the year’s end.
Additionally, they had commemorative etched whiskey and wine glasses made. The glassware displays the Bar Harbor Village Improvement Association’s logo, an image of the trail, and an inscription that reads “Shore Path Restoration.” All proceeds from selling the glassware are also going toward the restoration fund.
The trail itself is a mile and a half long, with 548 feet of it located in front of the Bar Harbor Inn. Jeremy Dougherty, general manager at the inn, has been keeping tabs on the restoration’s progress. He explained the plan of action after the storms.
“Right away, the next morning, we were really figuring out what we were going to do, how we were going to do it,” he said. “Within weeks of those first two storms in January, we had people working.”
After six months of labor, the section of the path in front of the inn will reopen Wednesday.
As donations continue to roll in, Bar Harbor Village Improvement Association President Dickie Cough is hoping to raise more money needed for the next round of repairs.
“We are going to have more of these storms. this isn't a one or two and done. We need to build it bigger and better, and we need to have an endowment for the shore path,” Cough said. “To make sure, if this does, when this does happen again, we are ready for it and we can pay for it.”
Plans to restore remainder of the shore path are still in development, but Cough estimates the trail will be open in full during the summer of 2025.