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Other Local Trails
(All of the numbered links are reference numbers to the Friends of the Rail Trail Kennebec Trails map, for more information and how to purchase: click here)
- Allen-Whitney Memorial Forest and Gannett Woods
The Allen-Whitney Memorial Forest and Gannett Woods are two properties of conserved lands in Manchester. The 700-acre forest is owned and managed by the New England Forestry Foundation, which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation and management of New England's working forests. The Kennebec Land Trust owns and manages the Gannett Woods, a 120-acre preserve that includes uninhabited Shed Pond. Trails lace through both tracts of land.
For further information:
New England Forestry Foundation
PO Box 1346
Littleton, MA 01460
Telephone: (978) 952-6856
www.newenglandforestry.com
Kennebec Land Trust
134 Main Street, Suite 28
PO Box 261
Winthrop, Maine 04364
Telephone: (207) 377-2848
www.tklt.org
- University of Maine in Augusta Fitness Field
Do not let the name of this trail deceive you. The Fitness Trail is actually a set of loop trails totaling 2 miles in length in a beautiful forest setting adjacent to the University of Maine and the Augusta Civic Center, and is another example of one of Augusta's hidden gems. Parking is available adjacent to the University of Maine tennis courts and the Maine Municipal Association building on Community Drive. There are fitness stations along the trail.
www.uma.edu
- Vaughan Woods
The Vaughan Woods is privately owned by the Vaughan Homestead Foundation and is protected in cooperation with the Kennebec Land Trust, which holds a conservation easement covering approximately 166 acres. This is an area steeped in history and beauty. The main trail loop is 2 miles in length and crosses Vaughan Brook over several granite bridges.
In Hallowell access to the trail is at the intersection of Middle Street and the Litchfield Road. There is a small parking area here. If you arrive by car a better spot for parking is the Farmingdale trail located behind the Hall- Dale High School near the tennis courts (97 Maple Street). All dogs must be on a leash. The woods are open dawn to dusk.
The Kennebec Land Trust is a private nonprofit Membership organization dedicated to presenting the landscape of the Kennebec River and Lakes Region of Maine. For a description of the trails at the Vaughan Woods as well as descriptions of the Kennebec Land Trust's other holdings and trails, please visit their web site.
Kennebec Land Trust
134 Main Street, Suite 2B
PO Box 261
Winthrop, Maine 04364
Telephone: 207-377-2848
www.tklt.org
- Jamie's Pond Wildlife Management Area
The Jamie's Pond Wildlife Management Area is 840 acres in size and lies in three communities: Manchester, Hallowell, and Farmingdale. The 107-acre pond is known both as Jamie's Pond and Jimmie's Pond. The pond was formerly the water supply for Hallowell and, as a result, most of its shoreline is undeveloped. The property is managed by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife.
There are 6.5 miles of intersecting trails as well as a ha boat launch. The area can be accessed by the Jamie's Road in Hallowell and the Meadows Hill and Collins Manchester. Overnight camping, fires, and swimming permitted.
For further information: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife
www.maine.gov
The Kennebec Land Trust
www.tklt.org
- Kennebec River Rail Trail
www.krrt.org
- Augusta Nature Education Center
The Augusta Nature Club manages the Augusta Nature Education Center, a 175-acre tract of land bounded on the west by Hodgkins Middle School and on the east by the new Cony High School. The nearly 5 miles of intersecting trails pass through old granite quarries, small waterfalls, beaver ponds, and Whitney Brook.
This urban preserve is open year round during the daylight hours. Walking, running, biking, and cross-country skiing are permitted. Dogs must be on a leash. Fires and motorized vehicles are prohibited.
For further information:
Augusta Nature Club
PO Box 5335
Augusta, Maine 04332
www.augustanaturecenter.com
- Pine Tree State Arboretum
The Pine Tree State Arboretum is a nonprofit organization whose mission is "to promote the knowledge and the appreciation of Maine's trees and other flora for people of all ages by offering educational, recreational, and inspirational opportunities." The arboretum has 6 miles of trails forming an extensive network through 150 acres of fields and meadows and 75 acres of forest. In winter, the arboretum offers some of the finest groomed cross-country skiing trails in the area as well as snowshoeing trails. The trails are open year round from dawn to dusk. The arboretum is located in close proximity to the Augusta Nature Education Center and the Augusta Greenway Trail, which is on the east side of the Kennebec and extends from Fort Western to the Federal Arsenal. It is a great place to have a picnic.
Bicycles are allowed on the trails but must yield to others. Horseback riding is permitted but not on bridges or boardwalks. The arboretum does not permit the use of motorized vehicles (other than motorized wheelchairs). Dogs are permitted if they are on a leash and kept out of the plant collections.
For further information:
Pine Tree State Arboretum
153 Hospital Street
Augusta, Maine 04330
Telephone: (207) 621 -0031
www. pinetreestatearboretum.org
- Swan Island on the Kennebec River/ Steve Powell Wildlife Management Area
Swan Island is a 1,775-acre wildlife management area in the Kennebec River situated between Richmond and Dresden and managed by the Maine Department of Island, Fisheries & Wildlife. Sitting at the head of Merrymeeting Bay, Swan Island is one of the crown jewels of the Kennebec River Valley and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Other than the tour truck, there are no motorized vehicles on this island. Inland Fisheries &Wildlife offers a guided tour of the island but visitors are encouraged to hike along the gravel road and side trails. You will be rewarded with picturesque views, deer, and an occasional eagle sighting. This is a perfect place to 2 bring a picnic, and day users may use the fire pits and grills in the campground.
Reservations are required for both day use and overnight camping in the Appalachian-style huts. The island campground offers full-service bathroom facilities.
Telephone: (207) 547-1322
Email: swan.island@maine.gov
A seasonal ferry running from May 1st through Labor Day provides access to the island from Richmond. The ferry is located near Richmond's downtown on Route 24 just north of the intersection of Routes 24 and 197. No pets are allowed on the island.
For further information:
www.maine.gov
- Pownalborough Court House
Pownalborough is a pre- Revolutionary War courthouse built in 1761. The grounds have a half-mile nature trail with old growth pines and beautiful vistas of the Kennebec. The courthouse is in Dresden on Route 128.
www.lincolncountyhistory.org
Other Useful Links
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