YARMOUTH
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parks, recreation &
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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

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

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

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 sub committee, 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 David Kitchen Susan Prescott Steve Ryan Lisa Small VACANCY I have a question about a Town tree YTAC Minutes

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

QUICK LINKS: State of Maine Maine EAB Map Ash Tree Treatment Info - 3.17.2022 Link 1-USDA Forest Service Link 2-EAB Fact Sheet Link 3-Oxford Academic Article EAB Management Plan - FINAL EMERALD ASH BORER INFORMATION 4.1.2022 - EAB Treatment RFP 4.4.4022 - Town Notification of EAB Treatment 4.29.2022 - Letter to Homeowner with Public Ash Tree(s) to be treated This letter was mailed 4.29.2022 ONLY to those with Ash Trees in our project area. What is EAB? How do I identify an Ash Tree? EAB Task Force Members: Michael Brandimarte, Susan Prescott, Rebecca Rundquist, Lisa Small Town Staff: Scott Couture, Yarmouth Tree Warden and Karyn MacNeill, YCS Director Why are the ribbons on the Ash Trees?

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!

Camp SOCI Camp SOCI Counsins Street - Parking at Sandy Point Beach Across Cousins Street from the Sandy Point Beach parking lot entrance are steps and a path leading to Camp SOCI (Scouts Of Cousins Island), a small pleasant wooded parcel atop a high steep bluff. There is a grassy amphitheater in the center of the parcel (a good picnic spot) and a trail along the top edge of the high bluff overlooking the water. This trail runs through a mature red oak and pine stand, and looks across to the mainland at the former Homewood Inn site and Princes Point. There is a long, steep and narrow stairway leading down to the shore. At mid to low tide, it is possible to follow the shoreline north under the bridge to Sandy Point Beach. This property is recognized by birders as an important stopover for migratory songbirds. Please stay off the fragile, erodible bluff slopes. Back to Open Space Page

Yarmouth Scavenger Hunt Information 33rd Annual Yarmouth by Starlight Scavenger Hunt This infamous competitive treasure hunt has become an annual spring-time ritual with many Yarmouth folks. Adult teams traveling in automobiles go from one clue site to another, competing only against the challenge of the course within a specific time limit. The hunt will take place at night; flashlights will be required and old clothes, shoes or boots are strongly recommended! Clues may be word puzzles, pictorial anagrams, complicated map readings or telephone book entries. The first challenge will be to find out where the next clue is hidden; the second challenge will be to go to the next clue site and find the next clue. Specific rules and guidelines will be issued at the start of the hunt. Refreshments will be provided at the end of the hunt. This has become one of our most popular annual events - SIGN UP PROMPTLY! Please Note: Due to the popularity of this program each person may register no more than one vehicle. Hunt Masters: Timi Carter & Mary Thorp Date: TBD 2021 Time: Arrive at Rowe School Gym by 7:00pm, ends around 11:00pm Ages: Adults (18+) only Location: Rowe, gym Fee: $45 per vehicle with 4 people; $15 for each additional person in vehicle Sorry, no senior discount available. Max: 22 cars hunt06_001 hunt06_002 hunt06_006 hunt06_019 hunt06_021 hunt06_020 hunt06_007 hunt06_005 hunt06_011 hunt06_009 hunt06_008 hunt06_016 Show More