Presumpscot Regional Land Trust, Gorham, Maine


The Presumpscot Regional Land Trust was formerly the Gorham-Sebago Lake Regional Land Trust (and prior to that was the Gorham Land Trust). As such, many of our old signs are still in place on our public access properties- so don’t be confused! We are in the works of replacing all of our old signs. Thank you for your patience. When in doubt, contact our office.


In the meantime, please note our land use property restrictions (please note: some properties have additional specifications listed below). On all PRLT public access properties- please no fires, no overnight camping, no structures, no cutting, and please do not litter- pack out what you pack in. See a PDF of this page.

Thank you for helping us to care for this protected land! Enjoy!

 

Chessey: Town- Sebago; Acres- 100; Conservation Easement
The Chessey property is of varied habitat and located in the Town of Sebago and is protected by conservation easement. This property offers an abundance of hiking and skiing opportunities.

Directions- Located on Hancock Pond Road in Sebago. From Gorham, take Route 25 to Route 113 to Route 117. Hancock Pond Road is a left off of Route 107 once you get into Sebago Center. Follow Hancock Pond Road for approximately 1.5 miles. Trail entrance is on the left side of the road just beyond large cemetery. Park along the road. Vestiges of old trails throughout. Please note: No Motorized Vehicles (including No Snowmobiles) on the Chessey Property, and No Hunting.


Cummings: Town- Gorham; Acres- 20; Conservation Easement
The Cummings Property on the Presumpscot River, just below Dundee Dam, is a lovely site with a trail along the Cumberland & Oxford Canal Towpath. Together, the three projects on the Presumpscot have preserved about a mile of the historic canal towpath.
Directions- Access only by boat. Contact the PRLT for directions.


Gambo: Town- Gorham; Acres- 5; PRLT Owned
Formerly owned by the Shaw Brothers, this parcel was gifted to the PRLT in 1995, and includes 5 acres that are open to the public. Since ownership, the PRLT has restored numerous sections of the property, including renovations to some of the powder mill foundations and a section of the towpath, and developed a walking path at the site of the Mills and the Canal. The ¾ mile long walking loop path starts on what used to be part of the wooden boardwalk connecting the gun powder mills, then it connects with the towpath for the Cumberland & Oxford Canal. Interpretive signs and original stone structures of the Oriental Powder Mills, allow a real walk through history.

Directions to the Gambo property- Follow Gambo Road from Windham. At the end of Gambo Road, just before the river, take a right into the parking lot for the Mountain Division Alliance Trail to park. (There is also room for a few cars at the start of the walking bridge at the end of Gambo Road.) Once parked, walk back down to Gambo Road and take a right to go towards and over the bridge. Group will meet between the kiosk and the large sign. *You can also access the Gambo Property from Shaw Park.

Directions to Shaw Park- Travel Route 237 in Gorham approximately 2 miles going north past the intersection of Route 237 and Route 202. Then take a right into Shaw Park. Once parked at Shaw Park, follow the Presumpscot River Trail to the area where the Gambo Property kiosk is.


Hawkes Towpath: Town- Gorham; Acres- 41; PRLT Owned
The public gained access to nearly 2,000 feet of prime footage on the Presumpscot River and to the remains of the historic Cumberland & Oxford Canal when the Land Trust purchased the 41- acre Hawkes Property in the Little Falls area of Gorham. As owner of the property, the Land Trust allows public access to the site and maintains trails. This is our most ambitious project to date, and one that underscores the organization’s goals of preserving as much as possible of the area’s limited water frontage. The Windham Middle School has worked on the trails, and bridges for the property. Their biology class has also studied the wetland habitat. With the addition of this property, the PRLT has preserved nearly a mile of the towpath along the Presumpscot River.


Directions- From Gorham, take 202 North towards Gray. Travel less than 3 miles to the roundabout in Little Falls (intersection of 202 and 237). Continue to follow Route 202 another .25 miles and just before you get to the bridge over the Presumpscot River there’s a sign on the left that says Towpath Road (also sign for Windham Rod & Gun Club). Follow Towpath Road down. Park in the Windham Rod & Gun Club lot on the left or on the street (please don’t block driveways). Walk to the end of the road which starts the beginning of the trail. The entrance is at the end of the residential street- and though it looks like you’re walking onto private property, you’re not- just follow the road and the road ends at the start of the trail.

Please note: No Unauthorized Cars, Trucks, ATV’s, Motorcycles, or Dirtbikes are allowed on the Hawkes Property (Snowmobiles Are Permitted on Marked Trails) and No Hunting.


Little River/ Rivers Crossing: Town- Gorham; Acres- 28; PRLT Owned
These two properties total over 28 acres of woods bordering on the Little River. Paths and bridges allow a scenic walk along the river. Included in this easement are the fields beside Route 202, which children from the area use as a ball field. The Little River and Rivers Crossing Properties consist of a wooded wildlife area along the Little River, between the Harding Bridge and the Route 202 bridge.

Directions- From Gorham, take 202 North approximately 2.25 miles out of Gorham where you’ll see Little River Drive. Pass by the first and second sign for Little River Drive., and go just beyond the second sign (Little River Drive is a horseshoe). The beginning of the trail is just beyond the second sign. Can park on the side of the road. There’s a field that is marked that directs you across the field and then you’ll cross onto Aspen Lane, turn right and walk down Aspen Lane, and on the left a few houses down you’ll see another sign. Take that trail to go into the woods and along the River. From the River you can go up or downstream. Both trails loop onto themselves. There are approximately 3 miles of trail.


St. Pierre: Town- Gorham; Acres- 3; PRLT Owned
A popular spot for fisherman, this 3.1 acre property is beside Route 237 where it crosses the Little River. This property is also a popular spot for canoe access. An Eagle Scout project improved the parking here. The remains of the Cumberland-Oxford Canal aqueduct, which allowed boats to cross over the Little River are nearby.
Directions- At Mosher’s Corner between Westbrook & Gorham, take Route 237 toward Sebago Lake. Go approximately 1.5 miles and Route 237 crosses Little River. Once you cross the river (over the bridge), you’ll see the sign and can park there and walk down to the river. You can also put your canoe in here and travel by boat down the Little River to the Presumpscot River.

Please note: while the trail to the river is clearly marked, the other trail on the property is not. Check back soon for trail improvements and signs.

Further information on all our holdings can be obtained by contacting us directly.

 

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