HANOVER – In the works since 1987, Moran’s Landing, a public and handicap access boat site on the Androscoggin River, became a reality this summer.

Located just downstream of the confluence of the Bear and Androscoggin rivers at the Hanover/Newry town lines, Moran’s Landing, a 4.5-acre parcel, is now one of nine official entrance points on the 42-mile Androscoggin Canoe Trail.

The Androscoggin Canoe Trail begins in Shelburne, N.H., and ends in Rumford.

Thanks to the Mahoosuc Land Trust, the Landing – which affords an excellent view of the Bear River Rips rapids – was purchased, developed and preserved for future public use as a canoe access and fishing site.

“This is a wonderful place to come and play in the little rip,” said MLT vice president Stephen Wight of Newry. “Bear River Rips is the only Class II rapids on the entire 42-mile Androscoggin Canoe Trail. And the fishing here is legendary at the mouth of the Bear River. We’re very excited to have it.”

Interested in purchasing the Bear River Rips property since 1987, the MLT worked in conjunction with Becka Roolf, a Community Conservation Specialist for the National Park Service/Appalachian Mountain Club, whose services were funded by a National Park Service Grant.

According to the MLT, in the spring of 2001, Roolf prepared an application to the Land for Maine’s Future requesting funds to allow the Trust to buy the property.

In the fall of 2001, MLT applied for and recently received a $20,500 development grant from the Maine Recreational Trails Program to develop and improve the Bear River Rips property and entire Androscoggin Canoe Trail.

On Jan. 29, 2002, Roolf’s application was approved for $40,000. Subsequently, the MLT received a $10,000 grant from the Maine Department of Conservation Program to Improve Public Access to Waters and bought the parcel off Bob and Cynthia Laux of Bethel. Moran’s Landing is named after Cynthia’s father, George Moran.

“Their offer to sell the property well below market value was critical in allowing the Land Trust to preserve this riverside gem for public use for the future,” said Sue Lincoln, an MLT director.

In January 2003, MLT signed a contract to build a parking lot for 10 vehicles and a handicapped accessible path to the river at Moran’s Landing, which has been a popular spot with whitewater kayakers and fly fishermen, said MLT Executive Director James Mitchell of Freeport.

The project was funded by the Maine Recreational Trails Program and the Trust.

Bethel engineer Jim Sysko designed the parking area to avoid cutting any of the site’s larger trees and Bethel contractor Jack Cross constructed the parking lot and trail to the river, Mitchell said.

Going north on Route 2 from Bethel, the Moran’s Landing turn-off is on the right, immediately before the “Welcome to Hanover” sign. A sign will soon be installed, to mark the spot.

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