Androscoggin Riverlands park plans get public review

LEWISTON — The newest state park, planned for the former Turner Wildlife Preserve, won't be like others in the state.

The Androscoggin Riverlands State Park will charge no entrance fee for the foreseeable future, will have no entry gate and will allow a wide variety of uses.

Planners from the state Bureau of Parks and Lands unveiled the proposed master plan for the park at the University of Southern Maine's Lewiston-Auburn College on Tuesday night.

The trick, they said, has been to balance the existing uses — hunting, hiking, ATVs, mountain biking, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing — while keeping the park wild and natural.

"This is a new kind of park, unlike any other we've built before," said Will Harris, bureau director.

The park is located within an hour's drive of about 50 percent of Maine's population. The mostly wooded area includes 2,588 acres along the west shore of the Androscoggin River, just north of the Auburn line, and about 200 acres along the east shore in Leeds.

"It's a river park, and we have other river parks — the Allagash and the Penobscot River," Harris said. "But both of those are located so far away from the population. This is so close to an urban center, it's a very different park."

The Riverlands includes significant wildlife habitat, shoreland along 8 miles of the river, old homesteads, scenic views and a recreational trail network needing maintenance. The park has 15 miles of multi-use trails and about 8 miles of hiking trails. Camping is by backpacking only and access to the Leeds section is by river or snowmobile only.

"It's a different natural character, and it calls for different plans," said designer Stephen Mohr, of Mohr and Seredin Landscape Architects. Unlike Sebago Lake or Mount Blue, the Turner park won't have a lodge or any kind of large building.

About 35 people attended Tuesday's presentation to see what was in the plan. Most were members of a local advisory committee helping to design the new park. Others were local residents and people who have used the park regularly for years.

Early changes will include creating a dedicated main entrance and parking area off Center Bridge Road, and limited access off Upper Street and south near Conant Road. Signs will be posted at the entrance and throughout the park's network of trails, spelling out how they can be used.

That proved to be the biggest concern Tuesday, as sporting groups checked to make sure their favorite pastimes would still be allowed. They included ATV riders, hunters and mountain bikers.

Mohr said they would be allowed, but some of the trails would be changed. The popular Homestead Trail, running along the river on the northern section, would be limited to foot traffic only — hikers, snowshoers and cross-country skiers. ATV and bicycle use would be posted.

Tom Berube of Poland wanted to make sure duck hunting would continue to be legal there. It will be, Mohr said.

"Then I would ask you to please make it illegal to build any kind of permanent structure or blind in that area," Berube said. "If you want to stay hidden, all you have to do is wear camouflage and don't move. It's not that hard. But I think permanent blinds would destroy the nature of that area."

The plans make little use of 200 acres on the Leeds side of the river. State Sen. John Nutting, D-Leeds, said he was eager to see that change.

"That has some of the best views in the entire park, because it's elevated," he said. "It's higher than the rest, and it makes a difference."

Kathy Eickenberg said the state would continue to take written comments on its plans via e-mail at Katherine.eickenberg@maine.gov until Dec 23. The bureau will present its plan in January and expects to file the finished plan on Feb. 6.

staylor@sunjournal.com