Hallowell Reservoir, Hallowell

At this city park, I recommend walking the lovely 1.5-mile loop (if you start at the street parking, on Town Farm Road) around the reservoir, following the access road to the Quarry Trail and back along the foot-traffic-only Wildflower Trail.

You can also make a longer excursion if you continue on the wider snowmobile paths that loop farther around the reservoir. The biggest circle you can make, starting from Town Farm Road, is around 3.0 miles. There are biking paths intersecting the main trails that look like they would be nice for walkers as well. I’ll try to get to more of them! (They’re the squiggly lines.)

Additionally, you can continue your walk on the Kerns Hill Connector Trail, a well-made biking and walking path that brings you through birch forest and to Kerns Hill Road in about 1.0 mile (from the Junkyard Trail). As of fall 2021, there wasn’t an easy way to park on Kerns Hill Road, other than a small pull-in space big enough for one car.

The walking is easy and varied here. A wonderful place! There is one strange section along the trail system, a spot that mixes art and trash, which made for thought-provoking scenes in the forest.

If you park at the Town Farm Road and walk in via the dirt access road, you’ll arrive at the reservoir in about 0.3 miles. There are a few picnic tables and a ball field. The swimming area is less a beach than a grassy area leading up the water’s edge. Still, it looks like an appealing spot for a swim.

The Wildflower Trail path—which is open only to foot traffic—can be accessed by going off to your left, a little ways before the reservoir. Or, if you arrive at the water’s edge, just walk around the pond on the right. You’ll start on the wider track and eventually will see Wildflower on your left, on the other side of the pond.

Directions: The outer parking lot is about 1,300 feet from the intersection of Town Farm Road and Winthrop Street, on the right. There’s room for about 15 cars or so here. Non-residents can park here year-round. Additionally, there is a lot closer to the water (although the access road has always been locked when I’ve visited). For vehicles not registered in Hallowell, you’ll need a permit to park at the reservoir’s shore between May 15 and September 15. According to town info, you can get them at the city hall at 1 Winthrop Street, Hallowell.