DESCRIPTION OF LANDS
The Orono Land Trust was created in 1986 and over the years, dozens of property owners have created easements and rights-of-way with the Orono Land Trust. Others have donated their property, or, in some cases, the land trust has purchased properties. It is a wonderful way for our town to protect green space and ensure access to trails for future generations to enjoy. The OLT now preserves seven properties in fee (185 acres, owned by OLT), eight conservation easements, nine trail easements (306 acres) and stewards 857 acres of other private and public land. The OLT maintains these properties and trails for public non-motorized use, including walking, skiing, snowshoeing, geocaching, and bicycling. |
 |
ORONO
Sklar Park: 
Sklar Park is a 40-acre parcel situated at the west end of Main St., between Route 2 and I-95. The park is a 1985 gift from the David Sklar Family to the Town of Orono and is managed by OLT and the Town. Local Boy Scouts built bridges and widened trail loops within the park. Trails are marked with white blazes and OLT trail signs. A field on this property is managed for wildlife habitat. The property abuts private lands with trail access to Dirigo Pines retirement community, the Katahdin Area Boy Scout Council building, Rampe Conservation Easement (see trail description) and Orono High School land.
Rampe Conservation Easement: This conservation easement is located near Orono High School. Glenn and Nancy Rampe donated the easement to the OLT in 2002. Next to the Rampe easement are two vernal pools: Frog Pond, which is on the Pearce conservation easement, and Lost Pond, which is on the Orono High School land. Both ponds are important amphibian breeding sites. This property shares cross-country running trails with the high school. It is an excellent example of managed forest, with sections of the forest selectively cut prior to 2002.
The property has many lady slippers and different tree species. Trail access is from Forest Avenue or from behind the high school football field. Trails cross private lands to connect to Sklar Park. Johnny Mack Brook runs through this property, near the I-95 highway. [View Easement]
Orono High School: This land contains a 45-acre parcel of mixed hardwood and coniferous forest which is owned by the town and managed by the Town and OLT. T rail access is behind the Orono High School football field and through the Rampe Conservation Easement. A ropes course is located close to the football field. Cross-country running trails are located throughout the property. In 2000, a microburst storm felled approximately 50 huge white pines in this area.
Gould Landing Trail: This land contains 38 acres of upland, wetlands, and two islands. The OLT stewards this property for the Maine Dept. of Transportation. A trail easement given by Glenn Young in 2003 allowed improved access and a walking trail was created. Access this property via Gould Landing at Pushaw Lake, located at the end of Essex Street. Parking is located next to the trail, and to the canoe/kayak launch, beach area, and covered picnic tables. A kiosk on the forested side of Gould Landing marks the walking trail access. Trail features include benches overlooking Pushaw Lake and wetlands, a glacial erratic boulder, geocache site, and excellent bird-watching (e.g., eagles, loons, and great blue herons).
Newman Hill, Hinds Conservation Easements: The OLT purchased the 88-acre Newman Hill property in 2002. The parcel contains forest, wetlands and portions of the old Veazie Railroad Bed. It is managed, with a stewardship plan, by the OLT. This area also provides access to 900 acres of land acquired by the Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, with the help of conservation buyers Jim Hinds and Steven Keleti. Major funding was provided by the Land for Maine’s Future Fund and the Outdoor Heritage Fund. It provides access to an adjacent conservation easement of 123 acres and two easements at 37 acres and 48 acres (donated by Jim and Pat Hinds). The well-marked Caribou Bog Ski Trail, as well as snowshoe, biking, and hiking trails provide excellent public access to this area of diverse habitats and wildlife. The bird-watching is excellent, and wildlife includes moose, bear, deer, coyote, fishers, porcupines, otters and beavers. To access: from Forest Ave. turn onto Taylor Road, drive approximately three-tenths of a mile, and turn left at the split onto Putnam Road (landfill road). Park in the parking lot at left. See the kiosk at this site for more information. [View Hinds Easement] [View Hinds-Keleti Easement] [View Newman Hill Steward Plan]
This 7.5 acre Outdoor Forestry Classroom was developed by James River Corp. and then company vice president Brent Halsey, Jr., using guidelines and principles of Project Learning Tree. The project began in 1990, and opened three years later as the first outdoor demonstration forest classroom in the nation. This forest was dedicated in memory of Brent Halsey, who died several months after the project opened. The OLT holds a conservation easement, dated July 1995, on this forest. Currently the forest is administered by an Advisory Board of Foresters and Educators. Access is via the Huber Forestry building on Park Street, or by parking at the UMaine cornfield on Park St. [View Easement]
Orono Bog Boardwalk: The 4,200-foot Orono Bog Boardwalk opened in June 2003. It is easily accessed via Bangor City Forest and is wheelchair accessible. Educational guided walks are offered through this outstanding example of a raised peat bog with various habitat types. It is a key parcel in the Caribou Bog Penjajawoc Conservation Project. The area was designated as a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service in 1974. The area was envisioned and created by Ronald B. Davis in 2001. It was built in a partnership among the OLT, UMaine’s College of Natural Sciences, and the City of Bangor. For more information and directions visit: www.oronobogwalk.org.
Marsh Island: This 57-acre parcel along the Penobscot River was bought from Diamond Occidental Forest, Inc. by the OLT in 1991 with money donated by Bangor Hydro as part of a mitigation plan for the Basin Mills Dam proposal, which was later abandoned. It is the former site of a Native American settlement. In later years, a ferry line traversed here—a steel cable remains as evidence. Peter’s Field, located between Vinal Stream and the railroad tracks, is mowed annually to preserve habitat. In 2007, the OLT received an Audubon Society grant to establish a forestry management plan here. This is an excellent bird-watching site (e.g. eagles, ducks, redpolls) and local wildlife include deer, red fox, snowshoe hares, coyotes, and wild turkeys. Trail access is via easements at Colburn Drive, Marsh Lane and Orchard Trails (at Treat Falls). In addition, the Ridge Trail connects the end of Penobscot Street with the entry from Park Street (US Route 2). Cross-country ski trails connect via UMaine’s trail system (Trail #11). [View Management Plan]
Jeremiah Colburn Natural Area: OLT purchased this land and donated it to the Town of Orono in 1988. Trail access via the Cota Trail, is on land donated in 1994 to the OLT by Virginia and Ron Mallett. Trails may also be accessed from Forest Hills Terrace and Winterhaven Drive (northern boundary). Many wildflowers and birds may be seen here and a stream runs through the property. Sally’s Field, located near Bennoch Road, is mowed annually to maintain a field habitat. Watch for “Big Old Tree” trail signs near the center of the property to view an enormous white pine, which is an historic OLT landmark and is featured in our logo. Additional trails signs point out the “pineapple tree” (a pine and an apple tree growing together), “porcupine tree” (huge deposit of porcupine droppings at its base) and “lightning tree” (a white pine hit twice by lightning).
Stillwater River Trail: This popular trail follows an old rail bed constructed in 1860’s. The rail line was used to transport products to Bangor from the lumber mills near the Stillwater Avenue bridge. Coal for the University was stored on a spur off the main rail bed, opposite the current University heating plant. The faint patterns of old railroad ties and occasional spikes can be seen on parts of the trail. In 1967, the town built a sewer system and placed pipes under the old rail bed. The pipes were repaired in 2005, creating a walking trail along the river. In 2007, trail bridges were added upstream from the water treatment plant. Look for beaver dens along the river’s edges. Avoid the abundant poison ivy in this area. Best parking and trail access are available at the base of Noyes Drive at Brownie’s Park. See kiosk for additional information.
VEAZIE
[map of Veazie properties]
McPhetres Farm Forest: The Town of Veazie owns the 25-acre McPhetres Farm Forest behind Route 2 homes and Davis Drive homes. Access is at a parking area behind Fairview Cemetery. This land is managed by the Town of Veazie, with volunteer contributions from the Veazie Land Association (VLA). It contains a large variety of trees, including white oaks and a 100+ year old white pine stand.
Manter Conservation Easement: Margaret C. Manter granted a conservation easement of 8.4 acres to OLT in 2006. A public trail easement through the Manter Conservation Easement forms a loop with the town owned McPhetres Farm Forest. The Manter Trailhead is located on Route 2, across from Arbor Drive. [View Easement]
The Buck Hill Conservation Area: the 64-acre Buck Hill Conservation Area is owned and managed by the Town of Veazie, with volunteer assistance from VLA. Access is through Greystone Trailer Park to Mutton Lane. American chestnut trees were planted in spring of 2005. The property has a variety of habitat types, including several open fields and streams.
MISCELLANEOUS MAPS AND SKI TRAILS
(Other than OLT Lands)
Dwight B. Demeritt Forest - North: 
Groomed Cross Country Ski Trails