The trail follows a wide crushed stone pathway as it winds through woods plentiful with ash and fir for about 0.4 miles (0.6 km) before coming back out on the playground. Then it connects to a temporarily unimproved unpaved woods trail (not shown) that runs back north 0.2 miles (0.3 km) to the North Trailhead. The area has several stream beds, 100-meter markers, a large glacial erratic, varied completion of the final 250 meters of the loop scheduled for the late spring of 2012.
Throughout the school year, the glade in the center of Nina's Woods with its wood chips floor and many popple (aspen) perches is used as an outdoor classroom and the trail itself has become a part of the physical education classes (running, walking, XC skiing, snowshoeing, etc.) as well as being used for experiential learning across the academic curriculum.
Nina's Woods provides a living diorama of the Maine landscape for all ages and for all time. It is open to the community during non-school hours, dawn to dusk. The inviting pathways, secluded natural classroom, rustic perches, and trailside experimental areas provide a place for reflection and inspiration, for the gathering of knowledge and appreciation of the natural world, and for students and teachers in all subject area to expand the richness of countless learning experiences.
Why Nina's Woods? Nina Bitterauf (1977-1999) was a joyful graduate of Mt. Blue Middle School and High School who appreciated all aspects of a vigorous outdoor life. Well known to so many people in the Farmington community, she was a top-notch skier, a lover of nature, a world traveler, and a dedicated student who went on to study at the University of Vermont. The trails and outdoor classroom and many learning activities at Nina's Woods will perpetuate the thirst for knowledge and curiosity about our world that is admirable in all well-rounded students such as Nina. Her brave and amiable spirit will live on in the fun and innovative activities conducted by staff and students that are hallmarks of the project.
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Cascade Brook SchoolFrom the center of Farmington, take ME Route 43 (Broadway) to the east. Broadway soon turns into Perham Street. From the main intersection in downtown Farmington, drive approximately 0.6 miles (1 km) and turn right onto Fairview Avenue. Fairview Avenue intersects with Middle Street. Go left on Middle Street for 0.3 miles (0.5 km) and turn right onto Learning Lane towards Cascade Brook School. There is a sign for the school. Note that the school visible from the street is actually the Mount Blue Middle School. Follow Learning Lane as it bends left. After 0.2 miles (0.3 km) from Middle Street, the road ends at the Cascade Brook School. There is parking beneath the equipment barn located before the gate.
The North Trailhead is located next to the red equipment barn by the parking lot. The South Trailhead emerges from the woods at the Cascade Brook School playground near the structures.
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