For those searching for places to go to or things to do to explore the outdoors in Windham, look no further than the new website Windham Outdoors, at https://windhamoutdoors.com/
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| Hikers explore a trail at the East Windham Conservation Area. Information about local outdoor recreational opportunities in Windham and more is now available by visiting a new website called windhamoutdoors.com. COURTESY PHOTO |
Residents and visitors to the area will likely be seeing more about the website which had a soft launch on June 10 and will be promoted more in the coming weeks over social media.
The website was created, said Windham Communications Director Roger Cropley, “to support Windham Outdoors and will be a guide to exploring the parks, trails, and natural beauty of Windham, Maine. The mission of this initiative is to connect residents and visitors with outdoor spaces that inspire healthy living, community engagement, and a deeper appreciation of our town’s resources.”
The Windham Outdoors website “is designed to inform both residents and visitors of ‘all things outdoors’ happening in Windham – and for all seasons,” he said. A $163,750 Community Outdoor Recreation Assistance grant from the Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation paid for much of the initiative’s development.
Even without much fanfare, the website is already gaining a following. “Currently the site, even without any promotion,” Cropley said, “is receiving an average of 62 visits per day.”
The website may already have paid off, he said. “It hasn’t been operational long enough for us to determine its impact on visitation just yet though our total visitors in July were up 10.3 percent over June’s numbers.”
“Windham Outdoors is a collaborative effort between the Windham Parks and Recreation Department and the Windham Economic Development Corporation,” Cropley said. The website aligns with the goals of both. The mission of the Parks and Recreation Department is “to develop, operate, and maintain a park and recreation system that enriches the quality of life for residents and visitors, fosters a sense of community, and preserves and protects our open spaces,” he said. “The vision of the Windham Economic Development Corporation is to create Windham as a business-friendly community that provides a high-quality of life, a vibrant economy, and a welcoming atmosphere, while protecting our town's rural characteristics and natural resources.”
Windham wants to be a regional destination for outdoor recreation enthusiasts, he said, and Windham Outdoors has been envisioned as an approach to advancing that goal.
“As we continue to build the Windham Outdoors brand, we wish to make improvements to our outdoor facilities to enhance the visitor experience and assist us in gathering data that informs future decisions,” Cropley said. “Included in our plans are digital kiosks and improved trail signage that enhances the experience for those visiting our facilities. We currently see many visitors from outside Windham traveling here to experience mountain biking at the East Windham Conservation Area, hiking or biking the Mountain Division Trail, kayaking on the Presumpscot River or boating and fishing in our local lakes.” In addition, he said, the Maine Department of Transportation North Windham Moves project will add bicycle/pedestrian pathways throughout the North Windham business district.
Promoting outdoor recreation and attracting even more visitors to Windham makes financial sense. “Outdoor recreation made up 3.7 percent of Maine’s economy, making Maine the sixth state in the country in the value outdoor recreation adds to a state’s economy,” said Cropley. Through its large supply of outdoor recreational assets, Windham already does and can increase the economic benefits by promoting these assets to locals and visitors alike.
When people visit the area to enjoy the town’s varied outdoor experiences, the hope is that they will visit local businesses, such as restaurants, movie theaters, motels and more and pour money into the local economy. In addition, Cropley said, these businesses can provide incentives via Windham Outdoors that may encourage people to stay longer and spend more.
Windham Outdoors plans to collaborate with the Windham Economic Development Corporation, Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce, Presumpscot Regional Land Trust, Friends of the Mountain Division Trail, Friends of the Presumpscot, Windham businesses, Activity Maine, Maine Outdoor Brands, Maine Made, Manufacturer’s Association of Maine and other groups that wish to join this initiative. <
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