YARMOUTH
           MAINE
parks, recreation &
Community Services

Playgrounds Nan Jones Kimball "Shipyard" P layground Redesigned in 2004, this creative playground is for 5 to 12 year olds, however, equipment on the left (East) side of the playground is designed for younger children and equipment on the back middle and right (West) sides are designed for older children. In order to guarantee your chil d's safety, it is recommended that you go over the play structure and appropriate use with them. Children should NOT be left unattended at any playground piece. Located at 70 North Road, portable toilets are made available seasonally. Rowe School Playground Located at the Rowe Elementary School, 52 School Street, this playground is currently designed for K & 1st grade students. In the late-Spring/Summer of 2023 , a separated Pre-K playground was installed as well as the installation of an Inclusive Playground element within the K & 1st grade playground. One portable toilet is seasonally available near the tennis courts. *A reminder to the public: all school playgrounds are off limits to the general public during school hours and aftercare hours. Yarmouth Elementary School Playground Located at the Yarmouth Elementary School, 121 McCartney Street, this playground is currently designed for 2-4th grade students. In the late-Summer of 2023, a separate 5th Grade playground was installed as well as musical playground pieces within the current and new playgrounds. *A reminder to the public: all school playgrounds are off limits to the general public during school hours and aftercare hours . Harrison Middle School Play Area Located at the Harrison Middle School, 22 0 McCartney Street, this playground is currently designed for middle school aged students. A basketball court, 2 cement table tennis tables, and a rope element/climber are available at this location. *A reminder to the public: all school playgrounds are off limits to the general public during school hours and aftercare hours .

Sweetsir Farm Preserve Sweetsir Farm Preserve 102 Old FIeld Road The 30-acre Sweetsir Farm Preserve extends from the end of Old Field Road to the east bank of the Royal River. A narrow path passes through a variety of woods and wetlands to majestic mature oak and rich floodplain forest along the banks of the Royal River. The pleasant half-mile trail has solid footing except for two drainages which are crossable with long strides and stepping stones. It merges with another trail coming in from the left before paralleling the river to a small bluff and then continuing north to a set of vernal pools which harbor spring breeding populations of spotted salamanders, wood frogs, green frogs and spring peepers. The bluff along the river is a scenic place to picnic; look for spring wildflowers and riverside birds. Back to Open Space Page Directions From the intersection of North Road and Ledge Road go north a tenth of a mile to Concord Circle and turn left; go through the subdivision half way around the circle to Old Field Road. Cross the railroad tracks and proceed to a small parking area at the end of the road. The trail extends straight into the woods, approximately 0.3 mile to the river. Special Notes This site has a rare Maine plant called ramp, or wild garlic; please help us conserve this special plant. Stay on the trail and do not dig up any plants or artifacts from Town lands. Like many mixed-woods habitats, this area has ticks. Hunting is allowed on this property by permit from Town Hall. Please wear blaze orange during hunting season

Open Spaces Parks & Lands Committee's Work Th e Parks and Lands Committee has a new Open Space Guide - it's all digital and has some great links for you to learn about our individual properties. Get out and explore Yarmouth's beautiful and unique open spaces. CAMP SOCI MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT) A major goal of the Town’s Open Space Plan (2019) was to draft management plans for all the Town owned open spaces. Management plans serve as a useful tool to advise the Town on management and maintenance decisions within open spaces by: • Summarizing natural resources and recreational values of a property. • Summarizing current use, user conflicts, and existing deed or resource restrictions. • Offering guidance for stewardship and maintenance decisions. • Establishing guidelines for allowed and prohibited uses. The Parks & Lands Committee (PLC) has worked on planning and drafting of the management plan and reached a final draft of the plan to present to Council in October. The sub committee, made up of residents, abutters, PLC members, and YCS staff, hosted site visits, sub committee meetings, and a public meeting at the Town Hall. We ask that the Town Council review and endorse the work put into creating this Management Plan. We look forward to meeting and presenting the plan to the Town Council in October 2025. Comments regarding the plan may be sent to: Erik Donohoe, edonohoe@yarmouth.me.us Download your copy of the Yarmouth Open Space Plan A subcommittee of the PLC worked for many months to gather information, host public meetings, and, with the help of NORTHSTAR Planning, completed the town's first Open Space Plan in 2019. Properties Pages Barker Preserve Camp SOCI Sandy Point Beach Fels-Grove Farm Preserve Frank Knight Forest Tinker Preserve Riverfront Woods Preserve Grist Mill Park Pratt's Brook Park Royal River Park Sligo Road Property Spear Farm Estuary Preserve Sweetsir Farm Preserve

Mission The mission of Yarmouth Community Services is to provide and maintain responsive leisure and educational opportunities, facilities and services that enhance and improve the quality of life for Yarmouth residents and guests. What We Do Yarmouth Community Services encompasses three different divisions: Parks, Recreation, and Community Services. The Parks divisions include: Athletic Fields, Grounds, Open Spaces, Trails, Playgrounds, Parks & Trees. Recreation is made up of year-round free and fee-based activities, programs, and events for all ages in our community. Community Services offerings include Lunch Crunch, General Assistance, Human Services, and a specialist from Southern Maine Agency on Aging. YCS also schedules users in facilities outside of school hours, on all parks and athletic fields, Community Center, and Community House. Parks Recreation General Assistance Community Garden Annual Special Events February - Valentine Dance July & August - Summer Art Series June - August - Family Movie Nights in the Park October - Trunk or Treat October - Community Garden Harvest Dinner December - Winter/Holiday event? December - Light Up Yarmouth Services Athletic & Building Facility Scheduling Discount Theme Park Tickets Gift Certificates Fee Waivers Payment Plans Canoe, Nordic Ski, & Snowshoe Rentals Lunch Crunch Summer Food Program Before & After School Childcare Programs Sports Leagues & Clinics Youth & Adult Enrichment Programs

Community Organizations YCAN Yarmouth Cares About Neighbors (YCAN) is an independent, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) all-volunteer organization. We work to strengthen the Yarmouth, Maine community and meet community needs by connecting available resources with the people who need them. Visit the YCAN website Community Garden The Yarmouth Community Garden’s mission is to create an organic garden for Yarmouth citizens that offers plots for renters; produces fresh vegetables and flowers for distribution to area residents and seniors in need; and provides a gardening experience that benefits all of Yarmouth through education, mentoring, and volunteer participation. Visit the Community Garden website Yarmouth Community Coronavirus Task Force The Yarmouth Coronavirus Community Task Force is a grassroots organization. We work in collaboration with the Town of Yarmouth and Cumberland County service organizations to assist with the disruptions and uncertainties caused by the Coronavirus epidemic. We stand together to help the increasing number of people who may experience food shortages, social isolation, medical and transportation needs in the wake of this coronavirus epidemic. We are part of a larger community strategy that has been initiated by our Town Council, our Town Manager, YCS, EMS, Police, Fire, and all public servants. It is our goal that we participate in efforts to keep core services open, provide residents with safe ways to meet their needs, and work together to mitigate the epidemic and maintain our personal/community health. Visit the Task Force's FaceBook Page Coping with COVID: A Community Conversation video presentation Coping with COVID's slide show as presented by Greg Marley

Click here to complete the 5-minute DOG PARK SURVEY Want to sign-up for the newsletter? E-Mail Mary: marywebber612@gmail.com Join us for the Public Mtg: March 11th-7pm-Town Hall See link to meeting post. See link to Map of proposal at Pratt's Brook Park. Email Karyn MacNeill to join the notification list. Dog Park Newsletter March 2019

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!

Outdoor Basketball & Sand Volleyball Courts Yarmouth High School Courts 2 outdoor basketball courts located on the backside of Yarmouth High School campus at 286 West Elm Street. Harrison Middle School 1 smaller court located in the Harrison Middle School parking lot at 220 McCartney Street. Sand Volleyball Courts 2 outdoor basketball courts located o n the backside of Yarmouth High School campus at 286 West Elm Street. Please reload

Grist Mill Park Grist Mill Park 14 East Main Street Below the Lower (“First”) Falls, on the east shore, there is a parking lot, a shaded lawn often used for picnic lunches, and a railed overlook built atop ancient granite cribwork constituting the remains of a water-powered mill. Note the impressive views of the First Falls just before the Royal River meets tidewater. This historic location looks downstream to old mill and shipyard sites and the location of many other early industrial and commercial endeavors. These falls were the first harnessed to power a mill site by early settlers. The park is the site of a former large saw and grist mill (the Casco Mill) which was begun in 1674, and then expanded in 1681 by Walter Gendall. After storms the falls can be very impressive! You can judge from the color and turbidity of the water the amount of topsoil erosion and runoff upstream. Consider its impact upon the harbor, estuary and Casco Bay. Back to Open Space Page Directions From Main Street, take Route 88 eastbound over the Royal River bridge. Parking is on your left immediately after the bridge (on the east side of the river). A small path leads away from the parking area to a large rock on the river bank, a great place to get down to the water. Use caution at flood stage.

Tinker Preserve Tinker Preserve Gilmain Road Katherine Tinker preserved this 15-acre property via a donation to The Nature Conservancy in 1970 with the direction that it be maintained as a sanctuary to protect plant and animal species. The property offers natural beauty that residents frequently enjoy on short walks and picnics. A small cemetery at the far end of the property is maintained by the Cousins Island Cemetery Association. A long narrow field is flanked by woods of oak, white pine and open shrub lands of staghorn sumac and invasive Morrow’s honeysuckle. Old apple trees persist from the days when a home was located on the property. Eurasian bittersweet, an imported vine initially valued for its bright orange berries, began taking over forest, shrubs and fields alike. Park stewards continue to be vigilant in controlling this invasive plant. Among goldenrod and asters there is milkweed which supports monarch butterflies before their annual migration. Back to Open Space Page Directions From the Cousins Island bridge go 0.8 mile and turn right onto Seal Lane. There is parking immediately on the right. Tinker Preserve Management Plan

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