Literally leaving from the hustle and bustle of the shopping areas just east of the Maine Mall, the Clark's Pond Trail, the completed sections of the Red Brook Trail, and a paved pathway, combine to offer a scenic woodland experience along the western and southern shores of Clarks's Pond. A handicap accessible paved path leaves from the trailhead at the Home Depot Parking lot providing access to the other trails. Going to the left, the path circumvents Home Depot ending on the northern side of the parking lot. Along this route there is a spur trail (gravel, but also handicap accessible) leading out onto a peninsula and scenic overlooks of Clark's Pond. Following the path right from the trailhead leads you to the connections to Clark's Pond and Red Brook Trails.
The Clark's Pond Trail is a 1.1 mile woodland Trail that connects Clark's Pond Parkway with Westrook Street where it passes under I-95. Along the way it follows the southern shore and inlets of Clark's Pond where ice was commercially harvested from the 1930s to the 1950s ,for use in local ice boxes. Wooden stairs and bridges help with the navigation of some of the steep and wetter areas of the trail. From Westbrook Street, users have the option of returning via the same route or using sidewalks (0.6 miles) to complete a 1.7 miles loop back to the Home Depot parking lot. Most visitors can complete the entire 1.7 mile loop in about an hour.
Shortly after the Clark's Pond Trail leaves the paved pathway, the current Red Trail connects on the right. This trail currently leads about a quarter of a mile along Red Brook with the intention of one day connecting it directly to the Maine Mall area. The Red Brook Trail Extension at one point leads out to John Roberts Road where it is possible to walk on sidewalks back to the trailhead and parking area.
Please be sure to wear appropriate footwear on the trails and make sure to be prepared for what can be a moderately strenuous trail if done as a loop. Please remember to carry out with you anything that gets carried in.
Visit the South Portland Land Trust online for more information or contact:
The primary trailhead and parking for Clark's Pond and Red Brook Trails is from the Home Depot parking lot off Clark's Pond Parkway near the Maine Mall in South Portland. Clark's Pond Parkway is east of the Maine Mall and can be accessed from Gorham Road (the main road) or John Roberts Road from the southeast corner of the Maine Mall. Park at the southern end of the Home Depot parking lot off where there are signs and a kiosk.
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