YPLAA Joins ALT at Their Annual Picnic
Saturday, July 25

The Androscoggin Land Trust (ALT) will host its annual picnic and barbeque in partnership with the Maine Department of Conservation, Bates College and the Androscoggin River Watershed Council on Saturday, July 25. The events, which will include hiking opportunities at the Androscoggin Riverlands State Park and paddling on the Androscoggin River, begin at 10 AM at the Center Bridge Road boat access in Turner.

For those looking to enjoy a scenic hike, opportunities to walk the historic Homestead Trail at the Androscoggin Riverlands State Park will be available prior to the barbeque. The Maine Department of Conservation, Bureau of Parks and Lands, is undertaking to develop the Riverlands into the first state park in 25 years and the only state park with direct access to a major population center, being located less than 10 miles from Lewiston-Auburn.

The four mile trek on the Homestead Trail takes visitors along a trail that is named for the remnants of eight historic farmsteads along Old River Road that were destroyed in 1927 when the Gulf Island Dam was completed. The foundations can be viewed from the trail, which also features open vistas of the Androscoggin River.

Paddlers will be able to join others as part of the Androscoggin River Watershed Council ‘Source to Sea Trek,’ where the group will make their way downstream, along the miles of undeveloped shoreline, in canoes and kayaks. All paddlers will cross the river and join ALT members and friends for the annual barbeque, set to begin at noon, and hosted this year at the Bates College Boathouse in Greene.

The Boathouse was constructed in 1988, amidst the undisturbed beauty of Gulf Island Pond, and houses the College’s fleet, which consists of numerous eight, four, and pair oared shells. Tours of the facility will be available, as well as program highlights from Bates rowing coach Peter Steenstra.

The diverse activities available, from paddling to hiking to touring an NCAA varsity rowing boathouse, it should be a great day to be out on or along the Androscoggin River for recreation and a community barbeque. For more information, or to RSVP and get more detailed directions, call ALT at 207-782-2302 or e-mail info@androscogginlandtrust.org

The Androscoggin Land Trust is a membership-supported conservation organization dedicated to protecting the important natural areas, traditional landscapes, and outdoor experience along in the Androscoggin River watershed. We currently conserve over 3,600 acres of land, including nine miles of riverfront along the Androscoggin River. Please visit our Web site at www.androscogginlandtrust.org for more information about our work.

Directions:

To Bates Boathouse:

• Head north from Lewiston on Rt. 202. From the Russell St intersection with Route 202, travel 5.3 miles on 202.
• Pass two cemeteries and a white church on the left.
• Take a left onto West Main St.
• Take an immediate left onto Meadow Hill Rd. Follow Meadow Hill for approx. 2 miles bearing right as Meadow Hill Rd turns into North River Rd.
• The Bates boathouse is just past a big farm on the left. It is marked by a post #764. The boathouse is down in a field by itself.

To Center Bridge Boat Launch:

• Head north from Lewiston on Rt. 202. From the Russell St intersection with Route 202, travel 5.3 miles on 202.
• Pass two cemeteries and a white church on the left.
• Take a left onto West Main St.
• Take an immediate left onto Meadow Hill Rd. Follow Meadow Hill for approx. 2 miles bearing right as Meadow Hill Rd turns into North River Rd.
• Once past the Bates boathouse turnoff, continue on North River Rd until intersection with Allen Pond Rd.
• At stop sign turn left onto Allen Pond Rd and follow downhill across Center Bridge into Turner.
• The boat launch will be on your immediate left.