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Summertime in the BelgradesContents
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Trails, Paths, and Parks: Riches in Our Midstby Esther J. Perne
It's time to go a-wandering — on National Trails Day, June 7, 2008, or on any day — in this region so rich in local trails, woods roads, footpaths, and sidewalks. The benefits There are heights to be scaled in the Kennebec Highlands overlooking the Belgrade lakes, rail beds to be followed by the mighty Kennebec River, wetlands to walk along in the Kennebec Land Trust, mountains to climb in Rome and Winthrop, and woods, fitness trails, parks, and campus and community walking routes to discover and enjoy everywhere. "Join Us on the Trail" is the 2008 slogan for National Trails Day. Include family, friends, a pet, people with the same pursuit, or those seeking a new outlet, decide on the distance and pace, and select a route that matches, where walking, hiking, biking are the marvelous mode to adventure. Celebrate independently, or join one of the following National Trails Day events listed below: Augusta/Hallowell/Farmingdale/GardinerA river, a road, and now a unique trail connects these four historic and picturesque river towns. The latest, the newly completed Kennebec River Rail Trail, is a 6.5 mile route that mostly follows the existing rail line and is part of the East Coast Greenway, a 2800-mile on-road and off-road trail from Calais, Maine to Key West, Florida. It offers walkers and bikers, and cross country skiers, opportunities to enjoy the scenery and wildlife of the Kennebec River, to access dining, shopping and history sites, and to commute to work in a most economical way. Other popular trails and parks in this section of the Kennebec Corridor include Vaughn Woods in Hallowell, the waterfront park in Gardiner, Capitol Park, the Arboretum, the Nature Education Center, and Old Fort Western area in Augusta, and the streets and sidewalks of the downtowns and historic districts in all three communities. Belgrade/Rome
Hikes abound in the Rome/Belgrade area, and although there is no specific National Trails Day activity planned, the following hikes are excellent to do on your own, in order of length.
The source of information, maps and special trail (and lake) activities is the Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance. Located in downtown Belgrade Lakes, the BRCA may also be contacted at brca@gwi.net or Other walks in the area include everyone's favorite stroll around the narrowly sidewalked village of Belgrade Lakes. There is a unique sculpture garden in back of Spring Gallery, Peninsula Park on Long Pond is a scenic picnic spot, several ice cream and dining options are available, and a variety of gift shops await. Farmington/Wilton/JayTrails both rural and in-town are numerous in Franklin County, with an impressive packet of almost twenty walking maps available through the Healthy Community Coalition and more in the works. One of the more popular routes for families and trail enthusiasts is the 14-mile Jay Farmington Rail Trail, with major trailheads in West Farmington and Wilton. The route provides a mix of terrain and is known for its proximity to wildlife. Intown Farmington, one mile and half mile walking routes have been mapped by the HCC while a recently-completed Farmington Downtown Walking Tour, developed in conjunction with Mountain Counties Heritage, features eight panels focusing on the town's culture and history, allowing walkers to explore and learn. Hinckley/Skowhegan/NorthAlways an active participant in National Trails Day, the L.C. Bates Museum in Hinckley (half way between Waterville and Skowhegan on Route 201) has scheduled a Bird Walk at 8 am and a Forest Walk-Tree Identification at 10 am. Located on the campus of the Goodwill-Hinckley School, the museum is a good starting point as well as a good source of information for the approximately 25 miles of trails that are part of the school campus. In the Skowhegan area, sixteen walking, biking and canoeing options are outlined in the Department of Parks and Recreation brochure, which includes six walking trails and an in-town tour. National Trails Day activities are being planned by the Department. For more information call Waterville/Oakland/Fairfield/Winslow/BentonOff-road trails for walking, running and biking is the vision of Kennebec Messalonskee Trails whose mission since 1996 is to promote, create, and help maintain recreation and fitness trails along the Kennebec and Messalonskee Rivers including the communities of Waterville, Benton, Fairfield, Oakland and Winslow for an eventual 18 miles of trails and connecting routes. KMTrails also links with a variety of institutional and community trail options, such as the Colby Trail Network, the Messalonskee High School Trails, the Airport Mountain Bike Loop, the Oxbow Nature Trail, the Waterville Ridge Loops, and walks within all the towns. Other walking options in Waterville include sidewalk touring downtown, Head of Falls and the Two Cent Bridge, and the Museum of the Streets. Oakland offers a 1.8 mile Boat Landing, Downtown walk, starting at the landing on Belgrade Avenue. | |||
