Community Trails
UBR is proud to be a part of the Waldo County Trails Coalition.
The Waldo County Trails Coalition is working to connect trails at Unity, MOFGA, Mt. View Regional School, and the Sheepscot Wellspring Land Alliance trail system in Montville and Knox that connects with trails in Frye Mountain Wildlife Management Area managed by the Georges River Land Trust.
This trail network will welcome walkers throughout its length. The path may be built to accommodate bicycles in some sections, depending on the interests of the landowners and the community and the suitability of the terrain. The trail system will enhance local recreational opportunities, community wellness, transportation, and economic opportunities.
The Waldo County Trails Coalition includes six organizations, five of which currently manage hiking trails in the region between Unity and Frye Mountain. These organizations are Unity Barn Raisers (UBR), Sheepscot Wellspring Land Alliance (SWLA), Sebasticook Regional Land Trust (SRLT), Unity College, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA), and Maine Farmland Trust (MFT).
Together we currently maintain over 40 miles of trails on lands owned by the organizations and by private landowners. We have come together to link these existing trail systems, creating a trail from Unity to Frye Mountain. This project is being coordinated by Unity Barn Raisers who has received a technical assistance grant from the National Park Service Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program. Financial support for Phase 1 of this project has been provided by the Davis Conservation Foundation.
Phase I: In 2012, The Waldo County Trails Coalition will be connecting the CommUnity Trail System in downtown Unity and the Unity College trail system with the newly developed trail system at the MOFGA fairgrounds in Unity.
Phase II: In 2013, The Waldo County Trails Coalition will be connecting the Sheepscot Wellspring Land Alliance trail system and George’s River Land Trust trail system at Frye Mountain with the Mount View School complex.
Phase III: In 2014, The Waldo County Trails Coalition will be connecting the trails at the MOFGA fairgrounds with the Mount View school complex.
- CommUnity Bikeway
- Triplet Park Nature Trail
- Connor Mill Trail
- Unity College Trails
- Fairgrounds Loop Trail
- Field of Dreams Loop Trail
Goals
- To create a network of multi-use trails within Unity, and ultimately connecting Unity with surrounding Towns, the EastCoast Greenway, and Frye Mountain Nature Preserve.
- To serve as a public advocate for the protection of and access to natural places within our areaand as emissaries for alternative transportation and healthy life styles.
- To encourage the participation of all community members in trail use and stewardship.
Rules
- The CommUnity Trail system is open to the public.
- Where indicated, the trails are wheelchair and stroller accessible. The Bikeway is suitable for bikes, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing.
- The CommUnity Trail system is NOT open to motorized vehicles.
- Please be respectful of the rules and all other trail users.
- Dogs are allowed on most of the trails in the CommUnity Trail system. Dogs must be under control at all times. All waste caused by dogs must be immediately removed.
- Many of the trails in this system run through private property. Trail users must stay on the marked trail and be respectful of the rights of private land owners.
1. CommUnity Bikeway (.5 miles built; .5 miles under construction)
Ideal for walking, jogging, biking, dog walking, and cross-country skiing. Horses allowed. Benches along the trail provide excellent spots for bird (and people) watching.
Description: 10 foot wide trail with stone dust surface. The trail is mostly flat with 2 slight rises behind the Unity Elementary School. This trail currently runs from Main Street to the Fairgrounds Loop Trail and will connect with Phase 2 of the Bikeway going up to Unity College.
Trail access: Parking is available in the lot on the South side of the New Horizon’s Health Center on Main Street.
2. Triplet Park Nature Trail (.25 miles under construction)
Ideal for bird watching and nature interpretation. This trail will travel over bog bridging through a wetland area and connects the main part of Triplet Park on Wood Lane to the Old Grammar School on School Street.
Description: Trail with wood chip and bog bridging surface. The trail is mostly flat with 2 slight rises on either end. Excellent for Environmental Education uses.
Trail access: Parking is available at the Park on Wood Lane.
3. Connor Mill Trail (1 mile built; 1 mile under construction)
Originally a loop trail off of Route 9/202 on the south side of Sandy Stream, this trail now continues over Bacon Brook and will be extended further in the future.
Description: Trail with wood chip, natural and bog bridging surface. The trail is uneven. Excellent for Environmental Education uses, birding, nature observation, and fishing access.
Trail access: Parking is available at the trailhead.
4. Unity College Trails (3 miles)
This loop trail system is an integral part of the Unity College campus and provides outdoor classroom space as well as recreational opportunities for students and community members.
Description: Uneven trail with a natural surface. Excellent for Environmental Education uses, hiking, dog walking, birding, cross-country skiing and nature observation.
Trail access: Parking is available on the Unity College campus at the top of the College Loop Road across from the Quimby Library.
5. Fairgrounds Loop Trail (1 mile)
This loop trail begins at Newell Lane, across from where the Bikeway ends. This scenic loop passes by the Old Unity Fairgrounds and provides a beautiful overlook of Sandy Stream.
Description: Trail with a natural surface. The trail is uneven. Excellent for Environmental Education uses, birding, and nature observation.
Trail access: There is space for one or two cars to pull over on the side of Newell Lane. Or one can park at the New Horizon’s parking lot on Main Street and access this trail by first traveling the Bikeway.
6. Field of Dreams Loop Trail (1 mile)
This loop trail begins at the Field of Dreams parking lot on Route 9/202. This hard-packed loop passes by the ball fields, the playground and Unity Pond. It is an ideal surface for jogging or pushing strollers.
Description: Trail with a reclaimed asphalt surface. The trail is smooth and contains some slight elevations.
Trail access: There is parking at the Field of Dreams.
CommUnity Trail Volunteer Opportunities
Adopt-a-Trail
Organizations/individuals can volunteer to maintain a section of the Community Trail system with a weekly walk through and 2 major yearly clean-ups. Recognition will be given to these groups/individuals.
Partner to Build
Organizations/individuals can partner with UBR to design a particular trail section and provide labor and/or funds for construction of this trail section. UBR’s Trails Committee must approve all designs and amenities. Recognition will be given to these groups/individuals.
Trailside Amenities
Organizations/individuals can provide benches, picnic tables, landscaping materials, etc or funds for a section of trail. UBR’s Trails Committee must approve all designs and amenities. Recognition will be given to these groups/individuals.