QUICK TRAIL FACTS
- Preserve Size: 104 acres
- Trail Mileage: ~2.4 miles in network
- Pets: yes
- Difficulty: easy
- Sights: sand beach, beaver pond, old pilings, accessible trail
From the pretty sandy beach at this state park, you can see the remains of pier pilings for an old fertilizer factory and even older passenger steamboat, the Boston-Bangor Packlet. According to the town, you can also spot seals at a mid-river ledge! The relatively short beach makes for good walking, as do the trails that traverse this property — but these can be very wet! Bog bridges have been placed along a good part of the park’s trails to keep walkers above the water and mud. Be careful anyway.
The town has also created a 0.3-mile wheelchair accessible trail on what was once a Bangor and Aroostook railroad spur that ran to the fertilizer plant.
I wasn’t able to complete the shore loop (white trail) because the tide was too high. Also, you are able to walk across private property (an open field) to French’s Point, where there is a large parking lot (that walkers aren’t supposed to use, I presume). I believe this property is used for weddings and such.
The town, which manages the park, offers more information about the trails and the interesting history of the site, which is described as “once bustling with industry, now reclaimed by nature.” In the 19th century, shipbuilding was huge here. Some other tidbits: “Archaeological evidence shows that native inhabitants fished for American shad as early as 8,000 years ago….During the American Revolution, a major naval battle unfolded in these and nearby waters. Thirty-nine American vessels were lost….During World War I, the US set up a shipyard on the south side of the beach and completed four vessels for the war effort.“ And at one point, the site was eyed as a possible nuclear power plant!
Directions: From Route 1, turn onto Steamboat Wharf Road. If you’re coming from the south, Steamboat Wharf Road will be on your right after Pirates Cove Road. If you are coming from the north, Steamboat Wharf Road is on your left after Sandy Point Road. Drive to the end of Steamboat Wharf Road to the parking lot — the trail system is at the far end of the lot.
