QUICK TRAIL FACTS
- Preserve Size: Not sure
- Trail Mileage: ~3 miles in system
- Pets: yes
- Difficulty: easy
- Sights: Mousam River, skate park, Stump Pond, marsh
(Wide paved sections of trail in light blue.)
This is not the official name of this trail! I decided to call it Mousam Way (Center), because it lies between Mousam Way North and Mousam Way South. Together, these three wonderful riverside trail systems offer lots of opportunities to explore the beautiful area along the Mousam River.
Additionally, you can extend your walk all the way behind the high school. I’ve put all the trails I’ve walked along this stretch of Mousam River in one map.
The central Mousam Way system is the longest of the three, and has the most options for different kinds of adventurers, including wheelchair/universally accessible paths that are either paved or made of stone dust. All of the trails are easy to follow. The only spot where we got confused was in front of the middle school, but here you can just follow the stream to reconnect with the trail.
The woods in this trail network are quiet and peaceful, despite being so close to the center of town. On a nice Saturday following a snowstorm, we saw only one other person out. There are a couple of easy road crossings since the trails are squeezed into a small area with a lot going on (schools, playing fields, skate parks, etc.).
Two highlights are the peninsula north of the YMCA and Photo Park, a tiny spit of land off Marginal Way.
To pick up the paved paths, it’s best to park at the Middle School or the YMCA
More info here.
Directions: You can park and pick up the trail at several places: Gowen Park, alongside the small dog park on William Oscar Emery Drive, the Sanford YMCA, or close to the middle school (there is a small area to pull over by the trailhead.)
