Emmons Preserve, Tyler Brook Preserve and Cape Porpoise Greenbelt

The Kennebunkport Conservation Trust has done a remarkable job building up a trail system through town. Emmons links up to three other extensive preserves and trail systems — Tyler Brook, Cape Porpoise Greenbelt, and the Smith Preserve (although you have to travel along the road a short ways to get to this last one). It’s worthwhile to check out this town map to see how everything fits together.

Emmons Preserve wraps around the trust’s beautiful headquarters, and features an enchanting river, a fun storybook/children’s trail, a fitness trail (Roller Trail), informative nature panels, apple trees, and sweeping meadows (especially Todd’s Trail). Todd’s Trail and Jeremy’s Trail offer lovely spots to check out the Batson River and its small waterfalls.

Finally, the preserve has an interesting stone labyrinth for meditative walking. The trail from the main parking area to the labyrinth is wheelchair accessible.

From Emmons to Tyler Brook Preserve to the Cape Porpoise Greenbelt is about four miles from one end to the other. The land trust provides trail distances.

The 0.7-mile Beachwood Trail, from Rotary Park, crosses an old landfill, now adorned with some incredible signs about the history of the seemingly once-beloved dump (it hosted an anti-litter beauty pageant!).

Directions: To start at Emmons Preserve, parking is available at 57 Gravelly Brook Road, a dirt road close to the intersection of Goose Rocks Road and Lester Wildes Road. Limited parking is also available at both ends of Jeremy’s Trail. To access Tyler Preserve, drive down Tyler Brook Lane off of Route 9.  Follow the road until you reach small gravel parking area. And to park near Cape Porpoise Greenbelt, drive down Clement Huff Road and look for the conservation sign to your right. You can also pick up the trail at Beachwood Park, a little park on Dump Road, which is off Beachwood Avenue.