Gardens and Parks in Southern Maine

 

 

A York garden in full bloom.

Nothing inspires the aspiring gardener like viewing lush, blooming beds and plots and landscapes created and maintained by experts. For those who choose not to wield a hoe or spade, a stroll through a beautiful garden can still provide a rewarding experience. Listed below are gardens from South Berwick to Boothbay that welcome visitors. Some have an admission fee, but others can be enjoyed free of charge.

 

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Barters Island Road, Boothbay. The largest botanical garden in New England boasts 248 acres featuring display gardens, ornamental gardens, waterfalls, and incomparable stonework and sculpture, native plant collections, a library and visitor's center plus miles of trails to experience the tidal shore frontage and woodlands. Open year-round; admission charged. FMI: 633-4333 or www.mainegardens.org

 

Elizabeth Perkins House, Southside and Seabury roads, York. Part of the Museums of Old York, the colonial revival house overlooking the York River features a reproduction of a 1940s garden designed by Elizabeth Perkins from her records. FMI: 207-363-4974 or www.oldyork.org.

 

Hamilton House in South Berwick

has well-tended gardens

for visitors to enjoy.


           
Gilsland Farm, Maine Audubon Society, Route 1, Falmouth. Farm is known for its more than seven acres of June-blooming peonies growing "wild" in the fields and woods of the sanctuary as well as in five neat beds near the environmental center. FMI: 781-2330 or www.maineaudubon.org

 

Hamilton House, 40 Vaughan's Lane, South Berwick. A National Historic Landmark, the c. 1785 Hamilton House is sited on 33 acres of grounds above the Salmon Falls River and includes remnants of an early 20th-century formal garden, now renovated. Grounds are open dawn to dusk. FMI: 207-384-2454 or www.HistoricNewEngland.org

 

Longfellow Arboretum, Payson Park, Ocean Avenue and Baxter Boulevard, Portland. Three acres of trees not native to Maine planted in 1976 by the Longfellow Garden Club and the City of Portland.

 

Longfellow Garden, Wadsworth-Longfellow House, 489 Congress Street, Portland. Colonial Revival Longfellow Garden is on the grounds of the childhood home of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, now the headquarters for the Center for Maine History. FMI: 207-774-1822.

 

Marrett House, 40 Ossipee Trail East (Route 25), Standish. An extensive Victorian perennial garden created by the Marrett sisters in the 1920s and 1930s has been restored at this historic 1789 home. Grounds open dawn to dusk. FMI: 207-642-3032 or www.HistoricNewEngland.org.

 

 

The gardens at White Columns,

Kennebunkport, are beautiful

in all seasons.

White Columns (formerly called Nott House) Garden, 8 Maine Street, Kennebunkport. Owned by the Kennebunkport Historical Society, the period garden at the 1853 Nott House was restored by the society after two years of historical research to create an appropriate scheme. The garden is open from sunup to sundown, and there is no admission charge. FMI: 967-2751 or www.kporthistory.org

 

Ogunquit Museum of American Art, 543 Shore Road, Ogunquit. Museum grounds feature three acres of landscaped gardens, lawn and oceanfront ledge, including numerous large sculptures, a reflecting pool and secluded benches for quiet contemplation. Museum is open from July 1 to October 31. FMI: 207-646-4909 or www.ogunquitmuseum.org

 

Rose Circle, Deering Oaks Park, High and State streets, Portland. A 51-acre city park features an award-winning rose garden with more than 600 species of roses. FMI: 207-874-8793 or www.mainerosesociety.com

 

St. Anthony's Franciscan Monastery Grounds, Beach Avenue, Kennebunk Lower Village. Bordering the Kennebunk River, this former estate with an elegant Tudor House, purchased by Lithuanian Franciscans, features an English park ornamented with gardens and shrines and trails designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. It is known for its rhododendrons. Open between sunrise and sunset; free admission. FMI: 967-2011.

 

 

A birdbath enhances any garden.

Sanford Parks, Main Street, Sanford. Two parks designed by noted Boston landscape architect Arthur Schurcliff in the 1930s: Gowen Memorial Park, site of an impressive stone gazebo, and Central Park, featuring a statue of local mill owner Thomas Goodall. Open sunrise to sunset.

 

Sarah Orne Jewett House, 5 Portland Street, South Berwick. Features a garden in back and an herb garden at one side. Grounds open dawn to dusk. FMI: 207-384-2454 or www.HistoricNewEngland.org

 

Spring Point Arboretum, Southern Maine Community College, Fort Road, South Portland. On the college campus, this one-acre arboretum overlooking Casco Bay was planted by the city of South Portland in 1981 and features 70 species of trees, shrubs, vines and groundcovers.

 

Stone House Gardens, 642 Wolf Neck Road, Freeport. Former estate is now a University of Southern Maine conference center and demonstration center for organic gardening. It features hundreds of heathers, as well as perennials, daylilies, azaleas, peonies and iris gardens with views of the Harraseeket River and Freeport Harbor. The Maine Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society maintains a rhododendron display garden with more than 40 species and hybrids. Open daily year-round, from dawn to dusk.

 

Walking Trails in Southern Maine

 

Vaughan Woods State Park, 28 Oldsfields Road (off Route 236), South Berwick. The 250-acre wildlife sanctuary has three miles of walks through old-growth stands of pine and hemlock and along the Salmon Falls River; one trail leads to the 18th century Hamilton House. Trails are steep and uneven in some sections. Resources: parking area, outdoor cooking facilities, picnic tables, restroom. Leashed dogs allowed. Admission fee. Trail map online; Maine State Parks.

 

 

Trails at the Wells Reserve offer access to woods, wetlands and beach.

Marginal Way, Perkins Cove, Ogunquit. Once an old Native-American trail, it is a .8-mi. (one way) paved public footpath along the rocky coastline. An easy walk, it is safe for children, strollers and is handicapped accessible. Dogs are not permitted during peak times of the season. Parking areas are available at Perkins Cove, but in high tourist seasons, spaces may fill early.

 

Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve at Laudholm Farm, Laudholm Farm Road (off Route 1), Wells. The 2250-acre reserve features seven miles of trails with access to woodlands, fields, wetlands, beach and dunes. Trails are open every day, 7 AM to sunset. Some trails handicapped accessible by special arrangement. Resources: visitor center and gift shop (check for hours), restrooms, parking area. Pets are not allowed. Admission fee from Memorial Day to Columbus Day. Trail map available at visitor center and online; www.wellsreserve.org.


Kennebunk Land Trust Preserves are open to the public for recreational enjoyment. Properties are marked clearly by signs and trail blazing. Motorized vehicles, fires and camping are not allowed. Located at 6 Brown Street, Suite 2, Kennebunk. www.kennebunklandtrust.org.
1. Alewive Woods Preserve, Cole Road, West Kennebunk. Nearly 626 acres, a forested preserve features a 45-acre pond. Access to the pond is via a loop that is 2 1/4 to 2 1/2 miles depending on trail chosen.

2. Clark Preserve, Emmons Road, Kennebunk. Forested 90-acre tract has frontage on the Kennebunk River and a half-mile trail for hiking.

 

Bridle Path, access from Sea Road (parking at Sea Road School) and Route 9 (limited parking), Kennebunk. An old trolley train bed along the Mousam River, it is an easy 3.1-mile-long walking path that originally went from the train depot in Kennebunk to the Webhannet Golf Course. Section from Route 9 to the golf course may be affected in areas by high tides and difficult to negotiate. Path from Sea Road to Route 9 is wheelchair accessible for those with wide-tread tires.

 

Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, 321 Port Road (Route 9), Wells.
Carson Trail is a one-mile walk with salt marsh and river views. Leashed dogs are allowed. Trail open year-round from sunrise to sunset. Handicapped accessible. Trail map available online; www.fws.gov/northeast/rachelcarson/aboutus.html.


 

View from atop

Mt. Agamenticus, York

Mount Agamenticus, Mountain Road, York. At 692 feet, Mt. A was once a radar lookout during World War II and later a ski resort called the Big A. It offers spectacular views from the summit where migrating hawks can be spotted and a variety of trails from the summit and the base. For hikers with just a short time to spend there are two loops: from the summit, Witch Hazel to Ring Trail (north/left) to Horse Trail, 0.8 mile, intermediate; from Mountain Road, Ring Trail (east/left) to Witch Hazel to Sweet Fern to Ring Trail (west/left), 1.5 miles. Eight trails range from moderate to difficult. Ring Trail is good for families. Open during daylight hours. Seasonal portable restrooms. Trail maps available online;  www.agamenticus.org.

 

Kennebunkport Conservation Trust, Gravelly Brook Road, Kennebunkport. Variety of trails are offered in three locations.

Trails maps available online; www.kporttrust.org.

1. Emmons Preserve, Gravelly Brook Road. Mark and Gail Roller Trail, Jeremy’s Trail and Jenne’s Trail feature short interconnnecting walks through woods and fields and along the Batson River. Parking available.

2. Tyler Preserve, Tyler Brook Road, just off the Mills Road and south of Beachwood Road, Kennebunkport. Access is on the paved road to left side of a private drive with parking available for four to six vehicles. Trail is one mile long with scenic and river views including waterfalls. Benches and picnic areas. 

3. Town Forest, Guinea Road, Kennebunkport. Over 1000 acres of pristine wildlife habitat with large ledge outcroppings, vernal pools and rare flora and fauna, the yellow-marked Jim and Agnes Steel Trail is 1 ½ miles long and one-way. Parking is available for four to six cars.

 

Vaughn Island, at the end of Turbat’s Creek Road, Kennebunkport. Owned by the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust, the 40-acre island features beautiful views and tide pools for exploration; it can be reached 1 1/2 hours on either side of low tide (keep an eye on the incoming tide to avoid swimming back or being rescued). The 1-mile round-trip walk follows the shore to the right; circling the island is not recommended. Watch out for poison ivy away from the shoreline. Parking is limited.

 

 

Walkers enjoying the view at the

Rachel Carson Reserve in Wells.

Bradbury Mountain State Park, 528 Hallowell Road, Pownal. The hike to the 484-ft. summit is short, but the views encompass Casco Bay, parts of Sebago Lake and on a clear day, Mount Washington in nearby New Hampshire. Extensive multi-use trail system in the park from wide, flat and rolling trails, to narrow, steep and technical trails. Good family hike to summit. Resources: bathroom facilities are outhouses; picnic areas; rangers on site and maps available. Open all year. Admission fee. Trail maps online; Maine State Parks.

 

Saco Heath, The Nature Conservancy, Route 112 (trailhead is 1.7 miles from the Maine Turnpike overpass), Saco. A 1000-acre preserve has a 1.8-mile (round trip) trail, which begins as a woodland path and after a half mile, a floating boardwalk extending onto the open heath. The floating boardwalk crosses the heath and is at times on top of 20 feet of water and partially decayed sphagnum moss. Do not leave the trail. Open from sunrise to sunset. Pets are not permitted. Parking area, marked by a Nature Conservancy sign, sits behind a border of trees. Trail map available online; http://www.sacobaytrails.org.


East Point Sanctuary, Mile Stretch Road and then Lester B. Orcutt Boulevard for another 1.7 miles, Biddeford Pool. At the very tip of Biddeford Pool, the trail, maintained by Maine Audubon Society through the 30-acre sanctuary, is short but spectacular with views of Wood Island Light and Saco Bay and an excellent bird-watching site; round trip is .9 mile. Watch for eroded embankments and poison ivy. Dogs are not permitted. On-street parking. Please respect the rights of adjoining landowners. Trail map available online;  http://www.sacobaytrails.org.

 

Ossipee Hill, McLucas Road (at the intersection of Ossipee Hill Road and Old Alfred Road), Waterboro Center. With a vertical rise of 550 feet, Ossipee Hill offers views of Little Ossipee Pond and the countryside. The hike climbs along McLucas Road, an old fire tower dirt road, up to an old fire lookout tower. Limited parking. Dogs permitted.

 

 

This marshland is a safe habitat for wildlife.

Scarborough Marsh, Pine Point Road (Route 9 west), Scarborough. A 3100-acre tidal estuary features guided and self-guided trails operated by Maine Audubon. It is a great location for spotting migrating ducks, shorebirds and songbirds. Resources: seasonal visitor center with programs, restrooms, canoe rental and parking. Wheelchair accessible. Trail map available online; Maine Audubon Society. In addition, a new bridge over the nearby gas pipeline crossing the Scarborough River is very popular for jogging and walking and is the first section of the Eastern Trail to be completed; it continues 2.8 miles to Black Point Road. Parking area near the bridge access.

 

Back Cove Trail, Preble Street Extension, Portland. A 3 1/2-mile loop around Back Cove with views of Portland that is flat and wide and enjoyed by walkers, joggers and bicyclists with mini-workout stations along the way. Leashed dogs permitted. Handicapped accessible. Resources: plentiful parking available; porta-potties by parking lot and halfway around by Payson Park.

 

Ferry Beach State Park, Bay View Road (off Route 9), Scarborough. The 1.4 miles of trails within the park are wide, level and provide boardwalks to cross wetlands. Park features one of Maine's last remaining undeveloped natural sand dunes. A  trail map is available from the parking lot attendant in the summer. Resources: picnic area, guided nature programs, restrooms and changing room. Parking lot open in summer; off-season, park at beginning of the entrance road. Dogs are not allowed on the beach from April 1 to September 30. Fee charged in summer. Trail map available online; http://www.sacobaytrails.org.


 

Statuary along one of the walking paths

at the Franciscan Monastery,

Kennebunk Lower Village

Bauneg Beg Mountain, Fox Farm Hill Road, North Berwick. Owned by Great Works Regional Land Trust, Bauneg Beg Mountain has three peaks, with the tallest 866 feet higher than Mount Agamenticus. It features logging trails, surprising rock formations and a panoramic view. It has a few steep steps at the top but is otherwise very manageable for just about anyone and great for kids; the walk up takes about 20 minutes. Parking lot. Trail map online; Bauneg Beg Mountain Conservation Area.

 

Prouts Neck Bird Sanctuary, Prouts Neck, Scarborough. Self-guiding nature trails and boardwalks through woods. Within private summer colony; no parking permitted at Prouts Neck. (Bicycle recommended.)

 

Pleasant Point Park, Simpson Road, Buxton. Park contains about 65 wooded acres bordering the Saco River. Old Burial Ground, Carriage and Riverside (high sections by river not suitable for small children) trails total about 1 1/2 miles. Dogs must be leashed. Resources: picnic tables and parking.

 

Franciscan Monastery, Beach Avenue, Kennebunk Lower Village. A former private estate now owned and maintained by the Lithuanian Franciscan Fathers, it features a 30-acre park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted along the Kennebunk River. The easy walking paths, a one-mile loop, wind through gardens, woodlands, an outdoor chapel and along the river. Open daily year-round.

 

12 Depot Street, Kennebunk, Maine
P.O. Box 647, Kennebunkport, Maine 04046
207-467-3292    publisher@touristandtown.com