River point conservation Area

Trail Distance and Description

2 mile trail system: Trails are often rooty and rocky and contain sections of narrow bridging over wet areas. There is also a large metal bridge over the river with about 15 stairs on either side.

Dogs

Not Allowed

Bikes

Allowed

GPS Address

63 Gray Rd, Falmouth

Parking

Many spots in adjacent paved Falmouth Hannaford (Gray Road) parking lot

Bus Access

Greater Portland METRO Route 9B (Hannaford stop, limited service)

Additional Information

Ownership

Town of Falmouth

Year Protected

1995

Acreage

~ 69

Property Uses

Hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, fishing, and nature study are all allowed. Motorized vehicles are prohibited. Trails are not wheelchair accessible.

Additional Directions

From I-95 take exit 53. Continue straight off the exit into the Hannaford shopping plaza. Turn right at the stop sign. The bridge to River Point will be on your right. Parking is available in the Hannaford parking lot.

From the Hannaford bus stop: walk towards the large flag pole and cross the bridge over the railroad tracks. River Point Conservation Area is straight ahead.

General Information

River Point is a 41-acre jewel of a property in the middle of an otherwise highly developed area of town. Known historically as Three Rivers Farm, it borders the Presumpscot River and both east and west branches of the Piscataqua Rivers. The trail system provides access to the Cross Falmouth Trail corridor and connects to Portland Trails’ Presumpscot River Preserve by crossing the Presumpscot River bridge on Route 100.

History

River Point was used for thousands of years as a campsite by Native Americans as they traveled seasonally from Sebago Lake to the ocean. The first white settler was Jonathan Hobbs and his family, who homesteaded the original 151-acre property in 1775. The Hobbs’ farmed here until 1883 and also established a brickyard and shingle mill on the property. In 1859, the Kennebec & Portland Railroad line bisected the property. The bridge, the only bridge in Maine built to connect to just one house, provided access to Route 100. The town acquired River Point in 1995 when the shopping center was developed. The Town Council designated the property as a conservation area in 2009.

Habitat

With its water features, including two small ponds and diverse habitat, the property is home to a wide variety of plants and wildlife, including the endangered New England cottontail rabbit. Eagles, hawks and ospreys can be seen here, along with many songbirds. Coyotes, beaver, fox, deer, and many small mammals can also be found.

Cautions

Deer ticks are common; care must be taken to avoid Lyme disease. Poison ivy also grows thickly along the riverbank and should be avoided. Some trail sections are prone to flooding in high water.