This page features preserves that offer not just winding paths through nature but also outdoor art. Or they make an effort to call visitors’ attention to remnants of our past within their borders. (To find detailed history about many of these places, check out local historical societies!)
A quick note: Many preserves and parks not listed here, typically more urban ones, contain amazing outdoor sculpture. I’m highlighting the preserves that have dedicated art exhibits open to the public.
Additionally, signs of human activity on the land over the centuries, from Native Americans, colonialists, and more recent occupants, can be found in many (if not all!) preserves throughout the state. These signs include shell middens, stone walls, house foundations, rusting farm equipment, quarries, the blocky stones of former mills, lighthouses, and military installations. I am including in my list the sites that make a point of preserving some of that history or educating the public with panels or exhibits. This list will be very incomplete. Please let me know if you think I should add one that I’ve missed!
Art
- Viles Arboretum, Augusta (outdoor sculpture)
- Langlais Sculpture Preserve, Cushing (Bernard Langlais sculptures)
- Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay
- Shepard Farm Preserve, Norway (Bernard Langlais sculptures)
- Ridgewell Preserve Phippsburg (rock carvings byartist Kevin Sudeith)
- Center Pond Preserve, Phippsburg (rock carvings by artist Kevin Sudeith)
- Wells Reserve at Laudholm, Wells
History
- Compass Harbor Trail, Acadia National Park
- Squirrel Point Light, Arrowsic
- Capitol Park, Augusta
- Greenway Trail to Old Fort Western, Augusta
- Peabody Fitch-Woods, Bridgton
- Fort Williams, Cape Elizabeth
- Two Lights State Park, Cape Elizabeth
- Jewell Island, Casco Bay
- Witherle Woods, Castine
- Dresden Falls Archaeological Preserve, Dresden
- Pownalborough Court House Trails, Dresden
- Indian Point Preserve, Ellsworth
- Mackworth Island, Falmouth
- Mill Island Park, Fairfield
- Vaughan Woods, Farmingdale and Hallowell
- Pettengill Farm, Freeport
- Mast Landing Audubon Sanctuary, Freeport
- Beachwood Park (the old landfill), Kennebunkport
- Town Forest, Kittery
- Fort Foster, Kittery
- Fort McClary, Kittery
- Fort Foster, Kittery
- Papermill Trail, Lisbon
- Washburn-Norlands Living History Center, Livermore
- Quoddy Head State Park, Lubec
- Perham Stream Birding Trail, Madrid Township
- Glidden Point Preserve, Newcastle
- Owl’s Head State Park, Owl’s Head
- Fort Baldwin and Perkins Farm Trail, Phippsburg
- Fore River Sanctuary, Portland
- Presumpscot Falls Park, Portland
- Prout’s Neck, Scarborough
- Canal Path, Searsmont
- Orris Falls Conservation Area, South Berwick
- Vaughn Woods State Park, South Berwick
- Spring Point Shoreway, South Portland
- Fort St. Georges, St. George
- Fort Point State Park, Stockton Springs
- Swan Island, Richmond
- Wells Reserve at Laudholm, Wells
- Bonyun Preserve, Westport Island
- Fort Halifax, Winslow