Heather Donahue, the star of the hit horror film “The Blair Witch Project,” finds herself at the center of a road dispute in the small town of Freedom, Maine. Donahue, who moved to the rural community several years ago, has been marking trees with orange blazes to help people navigate the dense forests. However, this action has led to a controversy with local residents.
Some appreciate the directional assistance, while others are concerned about potential environmental impacts and property rights issues. The debate has become a hot topic in the town of just 700 residents. The situation took a turn when Donahue, who had been a member of the town’s Select Board, lost a recall election after the dispute over whether Beaver Ridge Road, which cuts through the woods, is public or private.
The matter remains unresolved, with the town and abutting landowners battling it out in court. Tyler Hadyniak, one of the property owners along the road, expressed relief at the successful recall.
Debate over forest pathways
“I thought Heather’s demeanor and behavior toward others was just unbecoming of a town official,” Hadyniak said. Donahue, originally from Pennsylvania, arrived in Maine after a journey that included struggles with alcoholism, a departure from acting, and a stint as a medical marijuana farmer. She has since worked as a life coach and shared her love for gardening and medicinal plants.
Despite the ongoing road dispute, Donahue has found peace in the Maine woods. “I mean, this is where humans flourish,” she said. “I’ve figured out a way to do a lot with very little.
That was all kind of centered around being able to walk in the woods.”
The controversy has drawn attention to the challenges of balancing community needs with individual initiatives, especially when they involve shared public spaces like forests. As the town continues to grapple with the issue, residents hope for a resolution that respects both private property rights and the community’s access to the outdoors.
