Portland Trails' summer Discovery Treks series is less about trekking than uncovering outdoor treasures and remnants of history here.

The hikes, held on Friday evenings periodically through September, are directed by Portland Trails and partnering groups. Some cover historic stories about Portland, while others look at new work on unique green spaces tucked into this urban landscape.

There is a trek that covers the history of the Casco Bay fishery, and another of Portland's Freedom Trail, which marks significant sites connected to the Underground Railroad and anti-slavery movement.

The next Discovery Trek, July 10, will cover the history of the Cumberland and Oxford Canal that emptied into the Fore River. But this series also is an opportunity to learn about dynamic, yet overlooked little parks in Portland.

Just in the past few months, Portland Trails has enhanced the connector trails on the Eastern Promenade, including a stone-step trail that leads through an overgrown area below Fort Allen Park.

Fort Allen Park is known for its brilliant view of Casco Bay. However, mostly it has been accessed from the road. Now, those hiking along the Eastern Prom trail beside Casco Bay can hike to it through the green of the promenade's shrubs.

The work on this tiny connector trail was sizable, and paid for with a $25,000 grant from the Maine Department of Conservation and a $10,000 match, which Portland Trails is still raising.

"There used to be a worn path, but you'd have to bushwhack through it. Portland Trials and Friends of Eastern Promenade applied for a grant and received it," said Andrew Colvin, Portland Trails programming manager.

Another green space that was enhanced with stone steps by Portland Trails this year was the North Street park on Munjoy Hill.

Both of these East End parks will be included in a trek of Portland's east side on Aug. 7.

Colvin said even outdoors folks who know Portland parks well will learn about history and upgrades they didn't know in this summer's series.

"I think that everybody knows about Back Cove or the Eastern Prom trail. Those are very visible," Colvin said. "But there are other trails they may have driven by that go through these sweet little green spots in the middle of urban Portland."

A suggested $5 donation is requested on each trek from those who are not Portland Trails members.

Staff Writer Deirdre Fleming can be contacted at 791-6452 or at:

dfleming@pressherald.com