The Presumpscot Regional Land Trust (PRLT) trails have been getting unprecedented use during the COVID-19 crisis. While the statewide Stay at Home order continues, almost all Land Trust trails remain open to the public to enjoy fresh air in nature close to home. A link on the Land Trust website called Best of the Presumpscot Watershed Region lists new outdoor destinations to explore near to home for walking, birding, and biking. Sharing your trail experiences on our website helps PRLT stay on top of things.

Staff and volunteers have been very busy doing spring clean-ups on all of our trails. Here are some of the highlights from the additional trail work done to help improve the trails due to such high use during mud season:

• Mill Brook Preserve, Westbrook: 100’ of bog bridges have been added to the power line sections
• Hawkes Preserve, Gorham: 30’ of new boardwalk has been added and 150’ of trail rerouted
• Black Brook Preserve, Windham: 25’ of bog bridges have been added along with securing bridges

PRLT has just two trails closed at this time:

• Mill Brook Preserve has four trail heads, but the Perry Court trail head is closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, as it is close to neighboring houses and animals which could potentially spread the virus. Please use the MAGAN trailhead on Willow Drive (off of Route 302) as an alternative that is used less frequently than the busy northern trail head.
• St. Pierre Landing in Gorham has just been closed for 2020 due to construction of a new bridge on Route 237 over the Little River. The preserve will be back open in 2021 with replanted native shrubs and a new hand-carry boat launch.

Please remember that this is mud season, so appropriate footwear is in order. Visit trail heads that are not full (try new and less frequented trails), and please maintain six feet of distance when passing others on the trail. Tick season is in full swing. Dogs should be on leash (or tight voice control), and please pick up after your dog.

Please consider supporting the Land Trust efforts to provide free forested trails for everyone. The Presumpscot Regional Land Trust is a non-profit that engages with communities in Gorham, Gray, Standish, Westbrook and Windham to conserve, steward, and provide access to local lands and clean water for current and future generations to enjoy.