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West Side Trail information West Side Trail Map HELP US BRIDGE THE GAP $35,000 is needed to replace a Failing Bridge and Trail Dear Friends of the West Side Trail , We’re starting 2026 off with an urgent request to protect one of Yarmouth’s treasured community assets: the West Side Trail. We are currently more than half way towards our goal, but we must close the gap- ASAP! A rapidly failing stream bank has put a key section of the trail and bridge at risk of collapse and unless we act now, we may lose access to this beautiful corridor for an extended period of time. HERE'S THE SITUATION In 2023, our trail team noticed a crack forming down the center of the blue trail near the bridge just south of Gilman Road. What looked like a small issue has now become a serious threat. Over the last year, the streambank below the trail has eroded dramatically—carving out a 10-foot stretch of trail edge with a sudden 1—3-foot drop. The unstable soils are continuing to slump into the stream, and the bank is now compromised and may be too unstable to support the trail in a matter of 6 to 12 months. THE ROAD AHEAD Our engineering team reached a difficult but clear conclusion: this section of the streambank cannot be stabilized in a reliable, long-term way. The clay soils beneath the bank are simply too soft and too unstable. Continuing erosion could collapse the trail entirely and there is nowhere to relocate it as the other side of the trail is a steep embankment. The only safe, lasting solution is to build a new bridge that spans over the unstable area and connects to solid ground on both sides. This new bridge will: Span 85 feet over the eroding bank Be a safe 6 feet wide with railings Use helical piles anchored into stable soils Create a long-term, resilient crossing that protects the trail for decades to come Because stabilizing the streambank would require lengthy and expensive state and federal permits—delaying construction more than a year—we must pursue the bridge solution now. A new bridge is straightforward to permit and offers a permanent long-term solution. Waiting risks losing this section of the blue trail altogether. And timing is critical. Our contractor has a narrow window of availability this fall. If we can fund the project immediately, construction can begin between now and January 1st before winter storms accelerate erosion and make the trail unsafe or impassable. The total cost: $35,000. This covers the helical piles, bridge structure, railings, site preparation, and the removal of two diseased trees that currently threaten both the project area and nearby power lines. We are asking our trail users, neighbors, and community supporters to help us raise the full amount as quickly as possible so we can keep the West Side Trail open. The West Side Trail is part of what makes Yarmouth such a great place to live. It's used daily by walkers, trail runners, mountain bikers, dog owners, families, and visitors. Together, we can protect it. WILL YOU HELP US MEET THIS URGENT NEED? Your gift today will directly support the construction of the new bridge and ensure that the West Side Trail remains open for everyone who loves it. Thank you for caring about this special place. Sincerely, Dan Ostrye West Side Trail Coordinator A Trail Built by Community The West Side Trail exists because of the dedication of volunteers and the generosity of people who believe in accessible, safe, and beautiful outdoor spaces. Your support will help ensure that this treasured communlty resource remains open and safe for years to come. Thank you for being part of the West Side Trail community. DONATE TODAY It all started in the spring of 2024 when we noticed a small crack in the trail on the far side of the bridge. Cracks like this usually indicate one thing: slope failure, which is a significant concern. The stream erosion is located on the blue trail a few hundred yards from the upper Gilman Road trail crossing. The stream is also undercutting the bank opposite the slump, indicating that stream flows have changed. It is impossible to predict when and how the stream channel will shift in the next few years. But once we cleared the vegetation below the failure crack, we found that the bank had completely failed and slumped into the stream. Over the summer we undertook short term stabilization of the existing bridge. First by straightening the supports and re-leveling the bridge deck. Then, by installing pipe supports to carry the load until a permanent fix can be made. Bridge alignment looking south. There is ls about a foot and a half of elevation difference between the two ends of the bridge (but it looks like there's a lot more than that when you’re standing there).

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Sligo Road Property Silgo Road Property 179 Silgo Road The nearly 35-acre Sligo Road parcel consists of old fields with a mix of juniper and white pine, and some lovely floodplain forest along the Royal River. A section next to the PanAm Railway track was conveyed to the Yarmouth Water District for their new headquarters, in exchange for what is now the Yarmouth History Center. The Town retained pedestrian access to the rear of the Water District parcel along the river bank. A trail takes you from the parking area to the river bank, and an unimproved trail extends through a beautiful forest along the river’s natural levee. To the north the trail fades into a shrubby and forested wetland by the power lines. Possible future developments include an improved hand carry boat launch and athletic fields. There is rewarding river scenery both up and downstream for canoeists and kayakers. This property is a great place for birding in the shrub lands of the open fields and along the river banks. Also look for animal tracks such as otter and beaver along muddy banks and after winter snows. Back to Open Space Page Directions Head north on Main Street (Route 115) past the East Elm Street traffic light, turn right on Sligo Road. Go 0.4 mile to the Water District just beyond the railroad crossing. Park in the stub-ended turnaround to the left of the YWD parking lot. There is space for 2-3 cars. Special Notes Hunting is allowed on this property by permit from Town Hall. Please wear blaze orange during hunting season 356874-R4-21-3A sligo_tour_thumb 356874-R4-14-10A 356874-R4-19-5A 356874-R4-15-9A 356874-R4-18-6A

Fels-Groves Farm Preserve Fels-Groves Farm Preserve Gilmain Road This 55-acre preserve of mature woods and scenic open fields flanks both sides of Gilman Road. Wildlife is abundant, including large and small mammals and a variety of birds. Foot trails in the southern parcel offer year-round use, and the entire Preserve is accessible with snowshoes in winter. Directions From the Village take Gilman Road towards Cousins Island. The fields of Fels-Groves Farm open up within a quarter mile on both sides of Gilman Road. Park in the parking lot on the right just past the treeline. The property consists of 25 acres of fields and 30 acres of woodlands. Beyond the fields are steep ravines that drain south to the upper Broad Cove estuary and north to the Royal River. The southern parcel’s rear boundary is the CMP power line, the location of the new West Side Trail. Meadows of grasses, ferns and wildflowers border the road and are mowed annually to prevent them from turning into woodlands, with paths in the field mowed more often. A small woodlot west of the parking lot along Gilman Road has a handicapped accessible loop trail. The mature mixed-wood forest southeast of the fields contains a small stream and ravine amid a younger forest of black cherry, paper birch and numerous shrubs. The forest east of the ravine has stately, large red oaks. The ravine extends south to the upper reaches of Pittee Creek and the Broad Cove estuary. There are loop trails around both the open fields and the woods. The West Side Trail Connector, running along the west edge of the field from the parking lot, is the only trail segment upon which mountain bikes are permitted. The northern parcel (adjoining the privately owned historic brick farmhouse) has grassy pastures that slope gently to a series of steep ravines that drain north to Whitcomb’s Creek, a brackish tidal tributary to the Royal River. The ravines are forested with hemlock, American beech, red oak, red maple and white ash. The northern parcel has no developed trails at present, and is best explored in winter using snowshoes. Be mindful of the neighbors’ privacy. Aerial view of Fels-Groves Back to Open Space Page

Sandy Point Beach Sandy Point Beach Counsins Street Coming Soon... Back to Open Space Page

Arbor Day 2021 Arbor Day is Friday, May 21st Events are still TBD. Arbor Day Photo Gallery from long ago... ADay2015-012 ADay2015-003 ADay2015-017 ADay2015-016 ADay2015-018 ADay2015-015 ADay2015-013 ADay2015-014 ADay2015-010 ADay2015-011 ADay2015-012 ADay2015-009 ADay2015-008 ADay2015-007 ADay2015-006 ADay2015-005 ADay2015-004 ADay2015 ADay2015-002 ADay2015-001

Maine Backyard Campout July 12 - 14, 2024 The Maine Recreation and Park Association along with parks and recreation departments throughout the State are participating in the 5th Annual Maine Backyard Campout. Join Yarmouth Community Services and many other Yarmouth residents who are camping out in their backyard this weekend to kick off a fun start to Summer! This event is held in conjunction with National Parks and Recreation Month each July. So pitch a tent or a tarp outdoors or create an indoor camping area and let the fun begin. TIPS AND IDEAS Beginner’s Guide to Backyard Camping Backyard Camping Checklist 25 Backyard Camping Ideas That'll Make You Feel Like You're in the Great Outdoors 35 Easy Camping Recipes for Your Trip to the Great Outdoors The Ultimate Guide for Backyard Camping with your Kids How to Plan a Memorable Backyard Camping Trip 10 Backyard Camping Ideas Smokey Bear's Campfire Safety A No Fire Campfire Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt Play Games (Glow Stick Ring Toss, Flashlight Tag, Cornhole, Lawn Games, Ghost in the Graveyard, Backyard Treasure (hunt looking for smore ingredients) Decorate Your Campsite/Tent Make A Sign with Your Campsite Name Cook Your Meals Outside Dig out those glow sticks, sparklers, flash lights and lanterns. Storytelling Around the Camp Fire Have a sing-a-long More Than Smores - other campfire desserts Watch a Camp Themed Movie Outdoors Stargazing Arts & Crafts Happy Camping! Be safe and have fun!

Yarmouth Parks, Recreation & Community Services (YCS) provides resources to manage the town-owned trees and "street trees" throughout Yarmouth. The Town Tree Warden and YCS Director work to support community efforts surrounding the town's tree canopy. In addition to Town tree staff, a Town Council appointed Tree Advisory Committee (YTAC) meets the fourth Monday of each month at 12noon in the YCS Conference Room located at Yarmouth Town Hall, 200 Main Street. A Town Council working group, the Tree Ordinance Working Group , meets on the 3rd Wednesday of each month on the 3rd Floor of the Merrill Memorial Library from 5:30-7pm. Currently, they are looking for your input and ideas on caring for our trees, now and in the future! Share your voice by taking their survey: bit.ly/yarmouthtrees Recommended Planting List Request a tree for your yard AVAILABLE LINKS: It's CHECK YOUR TREES Month! Click to read more. TREE NOTES Early Winter, 2025, by Yarmouth's Tree Warden I want more info on Brown Tail Moth I'm interested in Emerald Ash Borer Info Click here for Tree Advisory Committee Info Tree Protection Guidelines CONTACTS: Scott Couture, Tree Warden Karyn MacNeill, YCS Director Yarmouth Tree Advisory Committee Michael Brandimarte Gro Flatebo Anne Herrick David Kitchen Susan Prescott Steve Ryan Lisa Small I have a question about a Town tree YTAC Minutes

Clipper Care Opportunities Town of Yarmouth Yarmouth Community Services YCS Clipper Care Jobs Job Descriptions: Clipper Care Substitute Counselor Click here to apply Interested applicants should send a letter of intent and resume to Mike Caron at YCS. Mike Caron Yarmouth Community Services 200 Main Street Yarmouth, ME. 04096 (207) 846-2406 mcaron@yarmouth.me.us The Town of Yarmouth is an EOE.