Take the Conservation Trail 500 feet to access Merrick’s Way, recently dedicated to Merrick Chadbourne, from the Community Center parking and picnic area. Merrick’s Way supports a wide variety of uses excluding recreational ATV use due to prohibition on the adjacent properties. The trail serves as year-round, sunrise to sunset access for hundreds of acres of protected watershed and community forest lands.
The trail is hardened grass and gravel and was abandoned in the 60s as a road. Though the original historic "Spring Road" was built in 1879, this trail has been in use since the mid 1700s. It brought the early settlers from West Auburn Village to the Lake Auburn spring house and hotel amenities. From the LACC parking area, the trail begins with gentle grading and becomes steeper through the gravel sections. Merrick’s Way is lined by stone walls and country views and was also recently upgraded by the Auburn Water District.
Features include field and wooded vistas, wildlife sightings, great walks through rock culverts, and a pedestrian footbridge stream crossing. This trail was a recipient of the Maine Recreational Trail Grant Program and is maintained by the Perkins Ridge Sno-Travelers Snowmobile Club.
Property is open from sunrise to sunset and features shared use with a few maintenance vehicles. Common sense "Rules of the Trail" apply such as carry in/carry out & tread lightly policies. Bathroom (port-a-potty), picnic tables, fire pit, and rubbish cans near the parking area have been provided by the LACC management team.
Merricks Way connects to the Spring Road Trail, which crosses land managed by the Lake Auburn Watershed Protection Commission. Lake Auburn is the public drinking water supply for Auburn and Lewiston, so swimming and any other contact by dogs or horses is strictly prohibited and heavy fines will be assessed. Animal waste should be disposed of in the approved containers.
Lake Auburn Community Center (LACC) is a division of the Lake Auburn Watershed Neighborhood Association (LAWNA) which is a 501c3 public benefit corporation promoting recreation, education and environment. Please recreate responsibly!
Visit Lake Auburn Community Property online for more information or contact:
The Lake Auburn Community Center (LACC) trailhead, parking, and kiosk are located at 115 North Auburn Road at the West Auburn Farm barn location.
From Hotel Road in Auburn proceed north onto West Auburn Road, which turns into the North Auburn Road at the West Auburn Congregational Church. Head north 1/2 mile to the West Auburn Farm yellow barn on the right.
From Lake Shore Drive in Auburn proceed west until it dead ends at North Auburn Road. Take a left and proceed south 1.5 miles to the West Auburn Farm yellow barn on left.
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