It’s said that every goal we reach has once been part of a dream that we thought would never come true. With the official Grand Opening of the East Windham Conservation Area next weekend, that dream has become a reality for generations of future residents of Windham.
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| The East Windham Conservation Area will hold a Grand Opening Ceremony from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 4 at the Lowell Preserve Trailhead in Windham. COURTESY PHOTO |
Land at the site is 99 percent forested and includes 661 acres with 1,545 feet of undeveloped water frontage on Little Duck Pond, some 38 acres of wetlands and numerous headwater streams. Through its conservation the area will directly help protect the water quality for Little Duck Pond, Highland Lake, Forest Lake, and the Pleasant River. It is the largest wildlife habitat, clean water, and recreational trail corridor in Greater Portland and provides a 30-mile trail network connecting Windham’s Lowell Preserve, Falmouth’s North Falmouth Community Forest and Blackstrap Hill Preserve.
The new multi-use trails have been built at the site by the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust and the area also includes a 150-acre Deer Wintering Area, a traditional site for hunting by permission, and the 580-foot Atherton Hill, the tallest site in Windham.
Windham Town Manager Barry Tibbetts said the town is grateful to the Lands for Maine’s Future organization for helping to fund this project.
“The timing of this land being available to be conserved for the future with recreational usage combined with the state’s renewed commitment to funding with the Land for Maine’s Future program has been ideal,” Tibbetts said. “The LMF Board’s award to grant the town nearly $1 million for the acquisition of this property is an opportunity we couldn’t afford to pass up.”
Since the 1990s, Windham residents have identified the East Windham Conservation Area as an important area site to conserve during increasing concerns about local development. It features large undeveloped habitat blocks and superior water quality protection.
Windham’s Open Space Plan identifies developing and maintaining open space partnerships and relationships as key mechanisms to grow conservation efforts in the town and when the Windham Town Council formally adopted the Open Space Plan, Windham reached out to the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust in 2021 to be an open space partner by holding a conservation easement and sharing responsibility for the trail management on the adjacent 308-acre Lowell Preserve.
In a press release issued by the Town of Windham, Windham Town Councilor Brett Jones said that the conservation of the East Windham Conservation Area property, and the open space it provides are consistent with the town’s long-term comprehensive plan to preserve Windham’s rural character.
“When you combine its 700 acres with other already established preserves, it will provide Windham and surrounding area residences with access to 2,000 acres of unspoiled nature and four seasons of outdoor recreational activities,” Jones said.
Funding to create the area was about $3.7 million and included a $1 million grant from the Land for Maine’s Future initiative. In 2021, voters from Windham approved a $1.8 million conservation bond using open space impact fees and another $400,000 raised privately from public donations. A Land and Water Conservation Fund federal grant for $500,000 also was obtained to pay for the infrastructure improvements at the site.
A town-wide survey in Windham conducted over a six-month period in 2021 and 2022 concluded that conserving the land to remain undeveloped for wildlife habitat, water quality protection and rural character was the top benefit to be derived from the project. The survey also ranked the second-highest community benefit for the site is to provide multiple-use outdoor recreation and create access for the whole community.
Land for Maine’s Future officials say it was exciting to be part of such as expansive and significant conservation project which will provide recreational opportunities for future generations of Mainers.
“We have been excited about this project since the Town of Windham and Presumpscot Regional Land Trust first brought it to our attention in its exploratory phase,” said Steve Walker, Director of the Land for Maine’s Future. “This project embodies the best of public and private partnerships working together to protect the places that support our wildlife, our quality of life, and our economy.”
In addition to holding the conservation easement, the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust will have a shared management agreement for the conserved land with Windham.
“This regional scale project, which is both a destination for outdoor recreation and critical for wildlife habitat, has only been possible due to the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Land for Maine’s Future Program, the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Town of Windham’s conservation bond, lead business partner Gorham Savings Bank, numerous private foundations, and over 400 local individuals and families donating to make this project a reality,” said Will Sedlack, Presumpscot Regional Land Trust’s Executive Director.
Phase two work will begin this fall and see the remaining five miles of trails built, including a universal access trail, which can be navigated by those with limited mobility. This trail will lead to a scenic overlook with views of the Western Mountains, ensuring everyone can experience the wonders of Maine’s great outdoors. A third phase of the project, planned for future years, will include an observation tower providing panoramic views from the top of Atherton Hill.
The public is invited to attend the Grand Opening event which is free, but space is limited, and registration is required. Please RSVP for the event at https://www.prlt.org/events <
“The timing of this land being available to be conserved for the future with recreational usage combined with the state’s renewed commitment to funding with the Land for Maine’s Future program has been ideal,” Tibbetts said. “The LMF Board’s award to grant the town nearly $1 million for the acquisition of this property is an opportunity we couldn’t afford to pass up.”
Since the 1990s, Windham residents have identified the East Windham Conservation Area as an important area site to conserve during increasing concerns about local development. It features large undeveloped habitat blocks and superior water quality protection.
Windham’s Open Space Plan identifies developing and maintaining open space partnerships and relationships as key mechanisms to grow conservation efforts in the town and when the Windham Town Council formally adopted the Open Space Plan, Windham reached out to the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust in 2021 to be an open space partner by holding a conservation easement and sharing responsibility for the trail management on the adjacent 308-acre Lowell Preserve.
In a press release issued by the Town of Windham, Windham Town Councilor Brett Jones said that the conservation of the East Windham Conservation Area property, and the open space it provides are consistent with the town’s long-term comprehensive plan to preserve Windham’s rural character.
“When you combine its 700 acres with other already established preserves, it will provide Windham and surrounding area residences with access to 2,000 acres of unspoiled nature and four seasons of outdoor recreational activities,” Jones said.
Funding to create the area was about $3.7 million and included a $1 million grant from the Land for Maine’s Future initiative. In 2021, voters from Windham approved a $1.8 million conservation bond using open space impact fees and another $400,000 raised privately from public donations. A Land and Water Conservation Fund federal grant for $500,000 also was obtained to pay for the infrastructure improvements at the site.
A town-wide survey in Windham conducted over a six-month period in 2021 and 2022 concluded that conserving the land to remain undeveloped for wildlife habitat, water quality protection and rural character was the top benefit to be derived from the project. The survey also ranked the second-highest community benefit for the site is to provide multiple-use outdoor recreation and create access for the whole community.
Land for Maine’s Future officials say it was exciting to be part of such as expansive and significant conservation project which will provide recreational opportunities for future generations of Mainers.
“We have been excited about this project since the Town of Windham and Presumpscot Regional Land Trust first brought it to our attention in its exploratory phase,” said Steve Walker, Director of the Land for Maine’s Future. “This project embodies the best of public and private partnerships working together to protect the places that support our wildlife, our quality of life, and our economy.”
In addition to holding the conservation easement, the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust will have a shared management agreement for the conserved land with Windham.
“This regional scale project, which is both a destination for outdoor recreation and critical for wildlife habitat, has only been possible due to the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Land for Maine’s Future Program, the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Town of Windham’s conservation bond, lead business partner Gorham Savings Bank, numerous private foundations, and over 400 local individuals and families donating to make this project a reality,” said Will Sedlack, Presumpscot Regional Land Trust’s Executive Director.
Phase two work will begin this fall and see the remaining five miles of trails built, including a universal access trail, which can be navigated by those with limited mobility. This trail will lead to a scenic overlook with views of the Western Mountains, ensuring everyone can experience the wonders of Maine’s great outdoors. A third phase of the project, planned for future years, will include an observation tower providing panoramic views from the top of Atherton Hill.
The public is invited to attend the Grand Opening event which is free, but space is limited, and registration is required. Please RSVP for the event at https://www.prlt.org/events <
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