Presumpscot Regional Land Trust has opened the first segment of a new trail system on a portion of the 500 acres of land owned by Randall Orchards and held in conservation and agriculture easement by the Land Trust.
The 1.5 mile loop trail is phase one of the Randall Orchards Forest Trails project and is open for public use during daylight hours for walking, biking, snowshoeing and skiing. The land is owned by the Randall Family, so please stay on the trails. Remember that ALL Land Trust trails are Carry In Carry Out.
The trailhead is located along Randall Road, off Rt. 25, on the border of Gorham and Standish. The opening of a second trailhead at Colonial Marketplace is delayed slightly, but will be ready by October 1.
Photo credit Chris CrawfordT-Bone and Julie Randall at the opening of the Randall Orchards Trail. They are happy to continue the legacy of the late Dick Randall who put his 482 acres in conservation easements that will protect the land for future generations.
The trail is great for family hiking. The easy to moderate terrain offers views of wetlands, vernal pools, stonewalls, and a diversity of majestic trees including hemlock, pines, oaks and maples. The North Branch of the Little River, a tributary of the Presumpscot River, winds through this section of forest.
The Land Trust has been in discussions with the Randall family for several years about having a trail system in the conserved forest that surrounds the working orchard. Thanks to the Randall Family and to funding by Narragansett One Foundation and by Old Port Advisors, the first segment of the trail now is open. Over the next several years, the Land Trust plans to add an additional five miles of trail.
Julie Randall said, “As co-owner of Randall Orchards I’m excited that the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust is putting in trails for the community to use in the forest land around the Orchard. I hope people will come and walk, bike and snowshoe our trails.”
Randall Orchards is known throughout Greater Portland and is a regional destination for apple picking in the fall. Now people can come to this loved Orchard to pick apples and also to get out for a peaceful walk in nature on this forever conserved forested land.
On Sunday, Sept. 23, Randall Orchards will celebrate Johnny Appleseed’s birthday with fun activities for children and families from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. including a food truck, cider samples, face painting and of course apple picking. Come enjoy the trails and stay for the celebration.