YARMOUTH
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parks, recreation &
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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).

Santa Walk The Santa Walk for 2017 has been canceled due to the weather.

Athletic Fields Athletic Fields YHS Turf Field & Outdoor Track Located at Yarmouth High School (286 West Elm St.) this field serves as the home field for Yarmouth High School's Soccer, Football, Field Hockey, Lacrosse and Track teams. Michael Brown Softball Field Located on the Yarmouth High School campus at 286 West Elm Street, this field serves as the home field of the Yarmouth High School Softball team. Yarmouth High School Baseball Field Located on the Yarmouth High School campus at 286 West Elm Street, this field serves as the home field of the Yarmouth High School Baseball team. Bennett Baseball Field Located in front of the Rowe School at 52 School Street Winslow Field Complex Located across the street from Yarmouth Elementary School at 121 McCartney Street, these fields serve as the home field of the Yarmouth Middle School sports teams, YCS recreation fields and high school practice fields. North Road Baseball & Softball Fields 70 North Road Fields serve as the home of Yarmouth Little League. The following fields are located here: Heidi Tobiason Youth Softball Field Delorme Youth Baseball Field Kaulback Youth Baseball Field Please reload

Postponed until December 21 at 5:00 pm

Royal River Park Royal River Park 103 East Elm St. Yarmouth With a beautiful paved path running the length of the park along the river and parallel to the heart of the village, this is one of Yarmouth’s most beloved parks. Highlights include views of three waterfalls, two at old dam sites and another at a historic mill site. There are picnic tables and open fields as well as floodplain forest and a 75- to 200-year-old stand of hemlock. Most of the park is built on former industrial and mill sites. The Middle (or Third, counting upstream from tidewater) Falls with its brick remnants and Factory Island was once completely spanned by the massive Forest Paper Company mill complex in the early 1900’s. Trails The primary path through the park runs from East Elm Street, near the Upper (or Fourth) Falls, down along the river through open fields to the Third Falls overlook. It then descends by brick mill remnants and enters a stretch of basswood and locust floodplain forest, followed by hemlock and pine forest, before meeting the Beth Condon Pathway, where a pedestrian bridge crosses the river. It continues south under US Route One to the final dam and the Second Falls (the “Cotton Mill Falls”) at Bridge Street. Historical interpretative signs are stationed alongside the path. There are several connections to Main Street from the path. A second path extends from East Elm Street and the upper dam along a small peninsula between the river and an old mill sluiceway. From here, you can look over to Gooch Island which you can also view from a pathway between Park Street and Forest Falls Drive. Directions The primary entrance and parking lot is across East Elm Street from the newly renovated Yarmouth History Center, about 0.3 mile east of the Main Street intersection. Park here if you are launching canoes from the History Center. There are additional entrances to the park from Mill Street, from the Beth Condon Pathway near the Rowe School, or the entrance of Forest Falls Drive (which connects to the Royal River path via a pedestrian bridge) and from Bridge Street. Special Notes For more information on the history of the park, visit the Yarmouth History Center Aerial view of the Royal River Park Back to Open Space Page

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

Orland H. Blake Skating Pond The Village Improvement Society Warming Hut For up-to-date pond status, please check the YCS Facebook Page When the pond is open, the hours are 7am-11pm. Lights will be on, as long as the pond is open for use.

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

YCS is pleased to announce the Fall & Winter 2025-2026 Activity Guide is now available. VIEW PDF Activity Guide Online Registration begins Monday August 25th at 8:30 am LINK TO REGISTRATION PAGE FOR YCS To see our current program offerings, please click the "register online" button: If you would like to donate to any of our programs, please click the "donate now" button. Donate to the following YCS programs: - YCS Scholarship Fund - Summer Lunch Crunch - West Side Trail - Yarmouth Community Garden

33rd Annual Easter Bunny Event 2020 brought a unique Fire Truck drive-by with the Easter Bunny and 2021 is no different! Residents may visit with the Easter Bunny behind Town Hall, in a socially distanced manner...from your vehicle! An opportunity may be available to grab a quick picture. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Date: Wednesday, March 31 Time: 4-5:30pm Location: Town Hall Memorial Green - visitors must remain in their vehicles. Ages: 2 - 7 92956080_10221744947121804_8267644553960 93479066_10221744947201806_8959476850912 93293059_10221744947841822_3094787080824 egghunt2013-009 egghunt2013-014 egghunt2013-002 egghunt2013-006 egghunt2013-007 egghunt2013-018 egghunt2013-004 egghunt2013-005 egghunt2013-010 Show More