QUICK TRAIL FACTS
- Preserve Size: 71+ acres
- Trail Mileage: ~6 miles in network
- Pets: yes
- Difficulty: easy
- Sights: woods, ponds, pitch pine forest
My map is not the greatest (the trail system is complex!). But I have started a project to remap it, and to note the easiest, widest trails in red that are pretty much universally accessible, or as close as they can be without being paved.
The Town Commons is popular and used throughout the year. Altogether, you can do a rather long walk — about 5 or 6 miles — if you leave from Bowdon College’s playing fields and make it all the way to Middle Bay Road. There are some mini-loops you can throw in to make the walk more interesting. Along the way you’ll pass a couple of little ponds and a unique pitch pine heath barren. These trails are blazed only sporadically and some people new to the trails say they can get a bit turned around in here. There is a map at the kiosk at the trailhead on Harpswell Road.
Most of the trails are smooth and well maintained, especially near the trailhead on Harpswell Road. I think the main paths (less so the side ones) could accomodate wheelchairs and strollers.
Additionally, there are several side trails that branch off the main trail that are a bit rougher but get you off the beaten track.
Directions: To access the trails, either park at Watson Arena and find the trailhead at the north side of the playing fields, or park at the lot off Harpswell Road.
A person in the know emailed me about other access points. I don’t think you can park at these trailheads, but they form links to some of the abutting neighborhoods. They are: Meadowbrook Road just west of Breckan Road; those from the Beech Drive cul-de-sac, one linking with The Pines condo development to the west (and Sparwell Lane) and one on the opposite side of the cul-de-sac leading to the ponds to the east of that turnaround; one connecting the Baxter Lane cul-de-sac with Beech Drive (near a pumping station); one at the end of Melden Lane leading into the Commons; one on the eastern side of Tamarack Circle leading into the Commons; and one from the end of Sandhill Drive leading into the Commons (paralleling the left side of a driveway).
