A couple of weeks ago, my colleague at the Natural Resources Council of Maine shared some information about local trails near her home in Central Maine that she and her family have spent some time exploring recently. With people staying close to home during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is a great time to find local outdoor recreation opportunities that can be done while practicing physical distancing.
Being at home has given my family more time to explore the trails in Brunswick and Topsham. Here, we are lucky to have a large system of trails that weave in and out of our towns to create well balanced access to urban amenities and natural areas.
Clay animal on log: Topsham’s Highland Trail system. Photo by Chrissy Adamowicz
This weekend we discovered Topsham’s Highland Trail system. This system is nestled between the William-Cone School and Route 196. The trails follow a lovely creek through a woodland setting. Clay deposits are visible in the stream.
Winding Mare Brook: East Kate Furbish Preserve. Photo by Chrissy Adamowicz
We also discovered the fresh cut trails of the East Kate Furbish Preserve. These trails wind the shores of beautiful Mare Brook, and the trailhead is located near some interesting storage containers that the Navy left behind. If you live near downtown Brunswick and are looking for a longer adventure, it is an easy bike ride to the trailhead full of sunny and scenic views.
Seal head in ocean: Woodward Point Preserve. Photo by Chrissy Adamowicz
If you haven’t yet been to Brunswick’s new Woodward Point Preserve you must go! This new publicly accessible land provides a good option for those looking for a short jaunt through farmland and forest to get stunning coastal views. I’ve spotted a grey seal hunting for lunch here!
If you want to spot a Barred Owl, I recommend going to the woods that connect Brunswick’s Town Commons and Bowdoin’s Farley Field. I have heard and seen these owls on multiple occasions when jogging through these interconnected trails. Go ahead and see if you can spot one, too!
Trillium undulatum (Painted Trillium): Town Commons. Photo by Chrissy Adamowicz
The Land for Maine’s Future program has helped protect some beautiful land and trails all around Maine, including the Maquoit Bay Conservation Land off Bunganuc Road in Brunswick. Another NRCM colleague of mine recently explored those trails and said they are well-marked, wide and flat, and lead down to a beautiful view of the Bay.
Trail at Maquoit Bay Conservation Land, by Beth Comeau
There are also numerous neighborhood trails connecting homes, businesses, and schools. Living in town, it has been a joy to see so many people walking and biking to and from Brunswick and Topsham’s natural areas. For our climate and health, I hope this is a new habit that sticks!
—Chrissy Adamowicz, Sustainable Maine Outreach Coordinator
Related Links
- Find Land for Maine’s Future and Public Reserved Lands, as well as other favorite spots, to visit using NRCM’s Explore Maine Map.
- Watch a webinar that NRCM recently hosted with Maine Trail Finder: Explore Maine Safely with Maine Trail Finder
Brunswick Outdoors is a guide to the wealth of public parks, recreation areas, land trust preserves, and private conservation lands Brunswick offers. Many locations have trails or provide access to fresh and salt water that are open for respectful public use. https://www.btlt.org/brunswick-outdoors/
Thanks so much for this information & link, Jym.