AUGUSTA – Maine state parks, including Mt. Blue State Park, will participate in the upcoming “Great Maine Outdoor Weekend” on Saturday and Sunday, March 3-4, with unique activities highlighting four state parks.
At Mt. Blue State Park, 299 Center Hill Road, Weld Cross-Country Ski and Snowshoe – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday-Sunday, March 3-4. Maine’s most beautiful outdoor ice skating rink at the park. At Mt. Blue, Maine State Parks Ski & Snowshoe Trailer, a new 12-foot-long enclosed trailer that contains cross-country skis and snowshoes will be available to outfit park visitors free of charge.
Guided Snowshoeing with Rex Turner, BPL outdoor recreation planner and a Registered Maine Guide – 10 a.m., Sunday, March 4. Equipment available for free loan. FMI: (207) 585-2261.
“Take It Outside-Winter Family Fun Days,” a winter event series at Maine state parks, is in its fourth year of encouraging families to get outside and enjoy the season. Several thousand people each year take part in a day of fun at one of five state parks that can include sliding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, skating, hot lunch, dog sled rides and ice fishing.
The “Great Maine Outdoor Weekend” has been organized by the new Maine Outdoor Coalition, a group of 26 organizations and companies, including the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, that is working together to connect more Mainers to the outdoors. More than 70 events around the state led by these outdoor-oriented organizations and companies will help Mainers to connect with the natural world and enjoy fun, physical activity, and good health. Many of the activities are free and at the introductory level.
“We have encouraged winter visits to our Maine state parks for a number of years through our very successful ‘Take It Outside-Winter Family Fun Days’ now taking place this season,” said Will Harris, BPL director. “This one special weekend is another opportunity for Maine residents and visitors to have lots of fun and connect with nature during a special time of year. We are very pleased to take part in the ‘Great Maine Outdoor Weekend,’ and our park staff is looking forward to this statewide event.”
“Our mission is to get people outside, and this is a perfect fit with our ‘Take It Outside’ program,” said Gary Best, BPL assistant regional manager. “No matter where you live in Maine, we have a state park in your backyard. Even if there is no organized program available, we encourage people to visit their local state park and create their own special day.”
Other Maine state park events for the Great Maine Outdoor Weekend include:
Androscoggin Riverlands State Park
Entrance to the park off Center Bridge Road, Turner. FMI: (207) 782-2302 (Androscoggin Land Trust)
·Snowshoe Hike & Winter Wildlife – 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday, March 3. Hike with Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife biologist Joe Wiley and the Androscoggin Land Trust.
Bradbury Mountain State Park
528 Hallowell Road, Pownal, ME 04069. FMI: (207) 688-4712
·Hike, Ski, or Ski Bradbury to Pineland – 2-4 p.m., Friday, March 2. Sponsored by the Royal River Conservation Trust (207-632-6112), participants will explore the new trail from the state park to Pineland Farms. Variable trips to match the interests of participants. The group will meet at the Tryon Mountain trailhead in Pownal, on Lawrence Road 1 mile north of the intersection of Elmwood and Lawrence roads.
·Winter Hike/Snowshoe with the Maine Outdoor Adventure Club – 10 a.m., Saturday, March 3. Participants should bring their own gear. A limited number of rental snowshoes are available for $5 per half-day.
·Bradbury Blizzard Snowshoe Race – 11:00 am, Sunday, March 4. Pre-registration is required; spectators welcome.
Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park
426 Wolf Neck Road, Freeport, ME 04032, FMI: (207) 865-4465
·Wabanaki Nature Legends – 2 p.m., Saturday, March 3. A short walk on the White Pines Trail with stops for stories based on Wabanaki Legends.
·Winter Steamer Dig – 2 p.m. Sunday, March 4.Try your hand at digging steamer clams!
For more information about Maine state parks, go to: www.parksandlands.com
For more information about the Great Maine Outdoor Weekend, go to: http://greatmaineoutdoorweekend.org/
The state park in Weld is a great place for outdoor winter activities but I wonder why they don’t keep the scenic overlook in front of the headquarters plowed during the winter so people can drive in, park and enjoy the view.
Will there be sledding with snowmobile rides on Center Hill this weekend?