Hope Cemetery & Woods provides a quiet oasis of nature right in the center of Kennebunk. The trails take in the woods primarily north of the cemetery, as well as passing by a small pond and through a meadow. Many trailheads give access to the trail network from the village and from surrounding neighborhoods.
The trails include a 0.8-mile universally accessible loop, beginning at the Hope Trail Lane trailhead. There is a large, hard-packed gravel parking lot at this trailhead. The 5-foot wide trail has a smooth, flat natural/crushed stone surface. The loop winds and curves its way through the woods and by a small meadow. The UA loop also includes a few bridges, and benches for those who desire to rest along the trail.
Read about Enock's experience using a wheelchair on this trail at MTF Stories!
HISTORY
Hope Cemetery, established in 1790, has been a beautiful and quiet oasis in the center of Kennebunk, Maine for over 230 years. The entire property, owned by Hope Cemetery Corporation, consists of 30 acres dedicated to historic gravesites, surrounded by an additional 72 acres of woods and meadow which have traditionally been used by the community for casual walks.
In 2017 the Board of Hope Cemetery Corporation put these woods under a conservation easement, held by the Kennebunk Land Trust, and created a new non-profit organization, the Friends of Hope Cemetery & Woods. The Friends drew up a management plan which among other items included the establishment of a Universally Accessible Trail (UAT), to allow those with mobility issues to enjoy this beautiful natural area in the middle of Kennebunk. The UA trail was officially opened at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 14, 2021.
GUIDELINES
For additional information, visit the Hope Cemetery & Woods website, or contact:
Friends of Hope Cemetery & WoodsThe trails are easily accessed from a variety of trailheads from town and the surrounding neighborhoods, including from Woodhaven Drive, Fletcher Street, and through/from the cemetery itself, to the west. Parking is available at the following trailheads:
HOPE TRAIL LANE
To reach the large primary and accessible parking area, which includes an informational kiosk, turn on Barnard Lane and continue for 0.1 miles to Hope Trail Lane on the left. Follow Hope Trail Lane a quarter-mile to the parking lot at its end.
BARNARD LANE
There is limited parking available at the corner of Barnard Lane and US-1, about 0.1 miles along US-1 from the church and library in the center of town.
WOOD POND LANE
Take Fletcher Street north from US-1 in the center of town, and go 0.4 miles to Wood Pond Lane on the right (1st exit from the traffic circle). Go 0.1 miles to the end of the lane, where there is a sign indicating the trail for Wiggins Pond, and limited space to parking. Please respect the private property of the neighbors at the end of the road if utilizing this trailhead.
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