Hawkes Towpath Property, Gorham
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PRLT Public Recreational Trails
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The Presumpscot Regional Land Trust (PRLT) is a non-profit conservation stewardship organization founded in 1986, whose mission is to conserve and protect natural lands and historic landscapes for posterity in the Presumpscot River watershed and western shore area of Sebago Lake . Thanks to a cooperative and collaborative relationship with landowners, town officials and developers, PRLT properties currently include more than 530 acres forever protected on 16 properties in Gorham, Standish, Gray, Sebago, and Windham . Included in these parcels are many public access properties with recreational trails such as the historic Gambo property with original powder mill foundations; the 41-acre Hawkes-Towpath property with 2,000 feet of river frontage; and the 28-acre Little River Property consisting of a 28-acre wildlife area and trails along the Little River.
On all PRLT public access properties- no fires, overnight camping, structures or cutting, and please do not litter.
Thank you for helping to care for this protected land!
Chessey Property Sebago, 100 acres -
http://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trail/chessey-property/
The Chessey property is of varied habitat and is protected by conservation easement. This property offers an abundance of hiking and skiing opportunities. Please note: Motorized Vehicles (including Snowmobiles) and Hunting are Not Allowed . Directions- Located on Hancock Pond Road in Sebago. From Gorham, take Rte 25 to Rte 113 to Rte 117. Hancock Pond Road is a left off of Rte 107 once you get into Sebago Center . Follow Hancock Pond Rd for approx. 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.
Gambo Property and Shaw Park Gorham; 5 acres -
http://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trail/gambo-property-and-shaw-park/
Formerly owned by Shaw Brothers, this parcel was gifted to PRLT in 1995 and includes a historic loop open to the public. The ¾ mile long walking path starts on what used to be part of the wooden boardwalk connecting the Oriental Powder Gun Powder Mills developed in 1824, then 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- Follow Gambo Rd from Windham . At the end of Gambo Rd , 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 Rd. ) Once parked, walk back down to Gambo Rd and take a right to go towards and over the bridge. *You can also access the Gambo Property from Shaw Park . Directions to Shaw Park - Travel Rte 237 in Gorham approximately 2 miles going north past the intersection of Rte 237 and Rte 202. Take a right into Shaw Park . Once at Shaw Park , follow the Presumpscot River Trail to Gambo.
Hawkes Towpath Property Gorham; 41 acres-
http://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trail/hawkes-property/
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 PRLT purchased the Hawkes Property in the Little Falls area of Gorham. Please note: Unauthorized Cars, Trucks, ATV's, Motorcycles, or Dirtbikes are Not Allowed (Snowmobiles Are Permitted on Marked Trails). Hunting is also Not Allowed . Directions- From Gorham, take Rte. 202 North towards Gray. Travel less than 3 miles to the roundabout in Little Falls (intersection of 202 and 237). Continue to follow Rte 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 Rd (also sign for Windham Rod & Gun Club). Follow Towpath Rd and park in the Windham Rod & Gun Club lot on the left or on the street (don't block driveways). Walk to the end of the residential road for entrance to trail.
Little River/ Rivers Crossing Property Gorham, 28 acres-
http://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trail/little-river-property/
Owned by PRLT, these two properties total over 28 acres of woods bordering on the Little River. Paths and bridges allow a scenic walk along the river. The Little River and Rivers Crossing Properties consist of a wooded wildlife area along the Little River, between the Harding Bridge and the Rte 202 bridge. Directions- From Gorham, take Rte. 202 North approximately 2.25 miles out of Gorham where you'll see Little River Dr. Pass by the first and second sign for Little River Dr., and go just beyond the second sign (Little River Dr. is a horseshoe). There is a pull-off on the left with a kiosk. You can park here. Follow the trail from here, across the field onto Aspen Lane , and then into the woods and along the Little River. From the River you can go up or downstream. Both trails loop onto themselves. There are approx. 3 miles of trail.
Sebago to the Sea Trail Section 1 & 2
http://www.sebagotothesea.org
Owned by the Portland Water District (PWD), this 3 mile trail segment is part of the PWD Sebago Lake Land Reserve and is managed under a lease agreement by the PRLT as part of the first segment of the Sebago to the Sea Trail. The Sebago to the Sea Trail is a collaborative regional trail project to create one contiguous trail corridor from Sebago Lake to Casco Bay connecting the towns of Standish, Gorham, Windham , Westbrook, Falmouth and Portland . This trail section begins at the lakeshore of Sebago Lake and links to the paved bicycle and pedestrian Mountain Division Trail at Otter Ponds in Standish. Trail users must sign in at the PWD area kiosks and follow the rules of the Sebago Lake Land Reserve- www.pwd.org/environment/sebago/sebagolakelandreserve.php . Trail maps of and directions to this section of the Sebago to the Sea Trail can be found at www.sebagotothesea.org.
St. Pierre Property, Gorham 3 acres-
http://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trail/st-pierre-property/
Owned by PRLT, this is a popular spot for fisherman. This 3.1 acre property is beside Rte 237 where it crosses the Little River. The remains of the Cumberland-Oxford Canal aqueduct, which allowed boats to cross over the Little River are nearby. There is both a canoe access point on this property and a lovely loop trail. Directions- At Mosher's Corner between Westbrook & Gorham, take Rte 237 toward Sebago Lake . Go approximately 1.5 miles and Rte 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 .
The PRLT also has an additional property in Gorham that is boat access only.
To learn more, contact us at prlandtrust@yahoo.com or visit www.prlt.org.
