After a successful public campaign during the pandemic, the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust has conserved Pride Preserve for generations to come. Two adjacent parcels, totaling 188 acres in the Pride’s Corner area of Westbrook, make it the largest conserved forest land in the greater Portland area. An added benefit is that it directly connects to 60 acres of conserved land in Falmouth.
Plans for the parcel, which will officially open in the fall, include a trailhead off Duck Pond Road leading to a family friendly, 1/4 mile trail around one of two ponds on the Preserve. There are plans for a pollinator garden and bat houses in this area. Pride Preserve will also offer miles of trails for walking, mountain biking, snowshoeing and skiing, in addition to a multi-use snowmobile trail. The parcel includes Minnow Brook, a tributary of the Presumpscot River, and several other unnamed streams.
Photo credit Presumpscot Regional Land TrustA family-friendly 1/4 mile loop trail with great wildlife watching opportunities encircles one of two ponds in Pride Preserve.
In addition to abundant wildlife, Pride Preserve is historically and geologically significant. It was part of the traditional lands of the Wabanaki People for over 10,000 years. When the Pride family settled in Westbrook nearly 300 years ago, they lent their name to the area known as Pride’s Corner. The Preserve includes 15 historic gravestones of the Knight Family dating back to 1825. Interestingly, according to the Land Trust website, so much sand has been naturally deposited by streams flowing into Sand Pit Pond that some of the sand was removed and used for the construction of Interstate 95. There are also unusual granite outcroppings left by glaciers. A virtual tour of the Pride Preserve is available at www.prlt.org.
The Pride Preserve became a reality thanks to the generosity and foresight of Florence Pride Hawkes and her family who want the land to remain undeveloped and enjoyed by generations to come. Her son Dennis said, “My mom’s wish for the future is that those who embark on a journey in Pride Preserve may observe the trees, flowers, and animal signs and listen to the sounds of nature as she has enjoyed doing over the last century.”
Other supportive community groups are the Cornelia Warren Community Association, City of Westbrook Recreation and Conservation Commission, in addition to the 111 individuals living throughout the region who gave generously to make this half million-dollar conservation and trails project possible. Rachelle Curran Apse, Executive Director of the Land Trust said, “Conserving new land and creating new forested walking trails is only possible due to the hundreds of families who are members, and to the dozens of businesses who are supporters of the Land Trust in Gorham and throughout the region.”
This summer Land Trust staff, interns and volunteers will be building the trailhead and trails, and beginning wildlife enhancement projects at Pride Preserve. If you would like to help volunteer please visit www.prlt.org/get-involved. The trails will be complete and open to the public this fall.
The Presumpscot Regional Land Trust is a community-based nonprofit primarily serving Gorham, Gray, Standish, Westbrook, and Windham. It holds 1,840 acres of conserved lands with 14 free public access preserves that include trails and water access. The Land Trust is the water steward of the Presumpscot River watershed and coordinates the Sebago to the Sea Trail, a 28-mile trail from Standish to Portland.