Members of the DownEast Outing Club were some of the nearly 350 volunteers who came out to rake leaves and clear drainage ditches along miles of carriage roads in preparation for the cold weather. (Photo by Ashley L. Conti/Friends of Acadia)

ACADIA NATIONAL PARK – It was a beautiful fall day on Saturday, Nov. 5, for the nearly 350 volunteers who showed their love of Acadia National Park at the 32nd Annual Take Pride in Acadia Day. Take Pride in Acadia Day is sponsored by Friends of Acadia and facilitated by Acadia National Park to support maintenance of the historic carriage roads.

Enthusiastic volunteers of all ages collectively cleared fallen leaves from drainage areas on more than nine miles of Acadia’s prized carriage roads in 25 separate locations. This work reduces costly washouts that occur from rain and ice during the winter and spring.

Participants met early on Saturday morning at pre-assigned parking locations to access the carriage roads across the park. Following the morning’s work, volunteers gathered back together at Acadia National Park headquarters for the traditional hot lunch of chili, cornbread, cider, and cake, catered by Quietside Cafe.

Volunteer lunch of chili, cornbread, cider, and cake was once again catered by Quietside Cafe. (Photo by Ashley L. Conti/Friends of Acadia)

Volunteers enjoy a chili, cornbread, and cake lunch after the annual Friends of Acadia’s Take Pride in Acadia Day. (Photo by Ashley L. Conti/Friends of Acadia)

Acadia’s Deputy Park Superintendent Brandon Bies and Friends of Acadia President and CEO Eric Stiles thanked participants from across Maine for coming out to show their love of the park and helping to prepare the carriage roads for winter.

“It was wonderful to see folks come together by the hundreds to rake leaves and help prepare our beloved carriage roads for the winter,” said Friends of Acadia President Eric Stiles. “This is one way our volunteers express their love and dedication to a park that restores so many. We are incredibly grateful to all who support this event, including the families and groups who volunteered, the businesses who sponsored the event, and park staff from a variety of departments who help with the set-up and organization.”

Eric Stiles, Friends of Acadia President and CEO, speaks to Take Pride in Acadia Day volunteers during lunch. (Photo by Ashley L. Conti/Friends of Acadia)

Friends of Acadia Stewardship Coordinator Nikki Burtis worked with a team to coordinate the event. “It was especially fun to see groups and individuals of all ages coming together—including youth from Conners Emerson School, and college students from Husson University and the University of Maine,” Burtis said. “Community groups volunteer as well, including Bar Harbor Savings & Loan, L.L.Bean, Maine Outdoor Adventure Club, Downeast Outing Club, Footloose Friends, and Acadia National Park Wellness. This event is a team effort and made possible with wonderful support from our incredible community. Thank you all!”

Volunteers from Hudson University Student Nurses’ Association work to rake leaves during the annual Friends of Acadia’s Take Pride in Acadia Day. (Photo by Ashley L. Conti/Friends of Acadia)

Take Pride in Acadia Day would not be possible without generous support from the community. Thank you to this year’s event sponsors: A.B. & J.R. Hodgkins, Acadia Bike & Coastal Kayaking Tours, Acadia Park Company/Acadia Shops, The Asticou Inn, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, Bar Harbor Savings & Loan, The Bluenose Inn, Burdick & Associates Landscape Design, Fiore Artisan Olive Oils & Vinegars, Galyn’s, John Williams Boat Company, Jordan Pond House – ExplorUS, The Knowles Company, The Lynam Agencies, Machias Savings Bank, MDI Grows, Mount Desert Island Hospital, Nelson F. Goodwin Company, and Windowpanes.

Volunteers from the DownEast Outing Club work to rake leaves during the annual Friends of Acadia’s Take Pride in Acadia Day. (Photo by Ashley L. Conti/Friends of Acadia)

Friends of Acadia and Acadia National Park are very grateful to all who made Take Pride in Acadia Day a huge success.