LEWISTON – “Don’t forget – you’re right in the middle of Lewiston.”

That wasn’t at all obvious to about a dozen city and state officials who joined land preservationists for a midday walk Tuesday.

They hiked along the new 14.3-acre Androscoggin River Preserve Project of the Androscoggin Land Trust.

They could hear leaves rustling and birds singing, but no city noises. That was the point made by Michael Auger, the trust’s stewardship and outreach coordinator, as he pointed out features of the urban preserve. The group was only a few hundred feet from the back of the large Marden’s building and parking lot on Main Street.

The woodland walk followed a news conference in which Androscoggin Land Trust outlined its plans for its new acquisition.

The site was purchased from the city after a recent preservation effort that headed off potential development of the site for a major retirement community with up to 300 units.

Jonathan LaBonte, president of Androscoggin Land Trust, said his organization urged the city to pursue permanent conservation options for the tax-acquired property. He credited city Councilor Lillian Lafontaine O’Brien with getting the council to table the sale for development purposes. O’Brien and state Sen. Peggy Rotundo were instrumental in shifting the site’s sale to the Androscoggin Land Trust for public recreational uses.

The city will receive $74,600 for the property from the trust through an allocation from the Land for Maine’s Future Program. Androscoggin Land Trust hopes to raise an additional $70,000 for use on site work and maintenance.

As a result of the preservation project, enhanced boat access will be available, along with the development of biking and walking trails.

LaBonte said, “Recreation along the Androscoggin in L-A will be an important component of the economic future of the region. In addition, improvements in water quality have increased residents’ and visitors’ interest in being near or using the river for recreational purposes.”

Lewiston Mayor Lionel Guay said, “The Androscoggin River Preserve Project will be a tremendous asset to our community, as the various uses of the land will certainly complement other recreational opportunities that exist within Lewiston.”

After the news conference, Auger led the group down a wide, leaf-covered trail. Within a short distance the view opened up onto the bright blue of the river and the reds and golds of foliage on the Auburn shore. The trail continued with easy open walking through tall pines and oaks. Auger took the group on detours of about 50 feet to one of two coves with sand beaches and to a high bluff where rapids and the powerhouse of Deer Rips Dam could be seen. Auger noted that some fencing would be needed there for safety.

In all, the trail covers about a quarter of a mile. Most of the path is flat, but some areas have deep ruts from use by four-wheel drive vehicles.

The existing trails will be stabilized and maintained by the Land Trust and other organizations for non-motorized uses, LaBonte told the group. He said there is the expectation of boat access for non-motorized craft, as well as a gravel parking area.

Tim Glidden, director of the Maine State Planning Office, noted that the trail is barely a three-minute walk from the homes of several hundred residents of the area.

Community partners in the project include local trails advocate LA Trails, the Stanton Bird Club, the Caleb Foundation, which owns and manages the nearby housing developments, the Land For Maine’s Future Program, and the state.