The Powder House Hill Trails Network, completed in 2012, includes the 10 acre Bonney Woods, the nearby 44 acre Flint Woods and adjacent to that, the 43 acre Village Woods. This listing describes the recreational trails through the Bonney Woods. The Farmington Village Corporation (Water Department) and the Bonney Woods Corporation now manage all three woods on Powder House Hill as one park.
The Bonney Woods trails are in a nine-acre stand of 100+ year old hemlocks near the heart of downtown Farmington. Trails weave through giant trees, around a vernal spring at the center of the stand, and over fern covered undergrowth in the spring and summer. These trails are used frequently by community members, and it is not uncommon to see “fairy” homes built by locals or nature classes from the nearby elementary school and university using the woods. These trails are particularly attractive in the morning and evenings when sunlight slants through the trees highlighting much as columns in a cathedral. In the winter, snowshoers and cross country skiers often will break out paths for walkers.
This remarkable stand of hemlocks and the managing organization, the Bonney Woods Corporation were established by the Maine State Legislature in 1909 to preserve the woods for the pleasure of citizens of Franklin County. Today the Bonney Woods Corporation still manages the trail, and is operated as a non-profit corporation governed by a board of directors of mostly community members. It also owns and manages the Flint Woods, about a tenth of a mile further east and on the other side of the street.
Thanks to a 2010-2012 state grant, local contributors and numerous volunteer hours, the public can now enjoy some new new trails which have been developed in the Bonney Woods as well as previously existing trails which are greatly improved. Trail users will find trail resurfacing, enhanced drainage, new bridges, new wooden benches, a picnic table plus a new Bonney Woods trailhead sign located at the Anson Street parking area.
The Powder House Hill Trails kiosk is located about and eighth of a mile further up Anson Street/Titcomb Hill Road at the Flint Woods and Village Woods parking area on the left. This yellow kiosk includes a new, detailed map of all three woods. All the trails in this priceless, community resource are now more suitable for year round use by outdoor enthusiasts of all abilities and ages.
Trail Etiquette:
For more information contact:
Bonney Woods CorporationFrom ME Route 4/ME Route 27 (Main Street) in downtown Farmington, turn onto Anson Street on the north side of the Franklin County Courthouse. Continue on Anson Street 0.3 miles up Anson Street Hill to the parking turnout on the right marked with a green sign. There is no parking during the winter.
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