North Acres Wildlife Conservation Area, Manchester

North Acres Wildlife Conservation Area in Manchester is accessed off of Lyons Road. The trails here all follow farm roads through the woods, along brooks, and across idyllic hayfields. Despite the Kennebec Land Trust’s website stating that crossing Tanning Brook may be impossible in high water, there is now an aluminum bridge across it, making crossing a non-issue.

The grassy clearing where Tanning Brook meets Bond Brook is a beautiful place to stop and sit, and there are a couple chairs there for that purpose. Beyond the brook crossing, the rolling hayfields surrounded by forest provide beautiful surroundings to walk through. The trails are mowed in the summer, making this a great place to visit all four seasons.

From the parking area to the hayfields, it’s about 0.8 miles. You can then walk along the old roads through the fields for another half mile or so before turning back.

By Sam Shirley

Directions (from Kennebec Land Trust): From Route 202 in Manchester, turn north on Puddledock Road. Continue approximately two miles to Prescott Rd. and turn left. Continue 0.4 miles to Lyons Road and turn right and continue 0.4 miles to the gate on the Old Wade Road (known more recently as the Whit-Lee Road). Please park along the shoulder of Lyons Road. Please do not turn around inthe neighbor’s driveway!