SCENIC SEACOAST WALKS
Eliot, Maine

A bugle blast announced the grand opening of a new public walking tail in Eliot Maine. The bugle was issued to Maynard Douglas – for whom the trail is dedicated -- during World War I. Douglas used the bugle to call his children to dinner. Here his grandson David Douglas plays Reveille at the dedication ceremony in Maine.

Eliot Maine Walking Trail

Name: Douglas Memorial Woods
Rules: Open dawn to dusk. Carry in, carry out. Foot traffic only.
Amenities: Very clearly marked trail, wooden platforms and small bridges over wet areas.
Parking: Yes, nearby at local Grange parking lot.
Dogs: On leash
Great Works Regional Land Trust web site

SEE ALSO Eliot Boat Launch walk 

"Oh my gosh, isn’t this good," Susan Douglas Fleming said after the ceremony. "I would love to be a real philanthropist with lots of money to donate to worthy causes but I’m not, so this is my one little escapade, my one chance to give something to the community. I think my parents would be very happy, very proud of me."

Fleming donated the land in Eliot to Great Works Regional Land Trust in honor of her parents Maynard and Marjorie Douglas. The ¾ mile trail that loops through 22-acres was constructed with an $11,000 gift from Kennebunk Savings Bank and public donations. IT opened officially in the fall of 2006.

Starting in "downtown" Eliot, near the library, common and grange, the trail wanders through very flat land with shifting moods. It begins and ends by following a scenic stone wall across from a family farm, winds through a dark piney wood and back. Be sure to wear waterproof shoes. Although 300-feet of the boggy soil is supported by wooden walkways and bridging, there are still many muddy spots. The most curious sight is a gigantic uprooted tree still clinging to large rocks. This is definitely an easy trail for hikers of all ages and has already found a host of loyal users.

The tricky part is finding the trail, which means first finding the town of Eliot. The Woods is located off State Road in Eliot, and the entrance to the public trail is at the intersection with Old Road near the Fogg Memorial Library. Parking for walkers is available at the John F. Hill Grange just down the road.

The Land Trust has conserved more than 3,000 acres of woods, wetlands and farmland in the communities of Berwick, Eliot, North Berwick, Ogunquit, South Berwick and Wells in the past 20 years. We hit the site soon after it opened on a cloudy weekend afternoon, so when we get better pictures, we’ll pop them in. -- JDR

(Place mouse over pix for captions, All rights reserved)

Continue to DOUGLAS MEMORIAL WOODS photo tour