Pemaquid Trail Then & NOW
Where it all started
A year after the PTA’s incorporation in 1966, the Pemaquid Beach Land Company, the area’s original developer, sold and permanently conveyed to the PTA the then-existing roads, trails, and “passageways” known as rights-of-way (ROWs) of the Pemaquid Trail Community. These ROWs continue to be owned by the PTA today.
The PTA’s stated purpose, according to the articles of incorporation, is “to preserve, enhance, and protect the natural beauty of the easterly shore of John’s Bay … as a Village Improvement Society.”
Historically, village improvement associations/societies arose in New England in the late 1800s, when concerned residents sought to bring needed infrastructure to their small communities. Initially they focused on fundamentals such as sanitation and public safety, but eventually broadened their scope and undertook many other efforts.
Where we are today
Modeled on this concept of a village improvement society, the PTA is a non-profit neighborhood association, not a Homeowners’ Association (HOA). It is served by an elected volunteer board of directors and governed by a set of by-laws voted on by the membership.
Today’s improvement societies continue in the same vein as their predecessors. Often, they engage in activities that preserve local history, protect and provide responsible access to natural areas, foster community connection and caring, and establish a program of charitable giving to the community through the dues they collect.
So, what does this mean for the PTA and our neighborhood at large?
To us, everything rests on a vision of the Pemaquid Trail as a community of friendly, caring, and respectful neighbors who share an appreciation for and enjoyment of the natural beauty of our coastal Maine surroundings. It is this perspective, and the spirit of caring for and about our community, that guides all we do.
Our future
2026 marks the 60th anniversary of the Pemaquid Trail Association!
All are welcome to share ideas for celebrating this historic occasion. And the more neighbors who join, the stronger and better our PTA will be!