JAY — A community paddle will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, beginning at Otis Falls Mill, at the end of Mill Street, off Route 4.

Paddlers will have a chance to explore the scenic Androscoggin River that sits between the Otis Falls Mill and Pine Island in Jay, a section nestled away from busy Route 4, and is off Riley Road. 

The 90-minute round-trip paddle will explore the forested shoreline, provide a view of the community few have enjoyed, and include a discussion of future recreation planning for the area.

After the paddle, all visitors will be treated to a picnic lunch compliments of the sponsor of the event, Otis Ventures.

Nearly two and a half years ago, news broke that the Otis Paper Mill was to be permanently closed. After more than a century as the dominant feature of the downtown riverfront landscape, it was unclear what the future might hold. However, under its new, local owners, Mary Howes and Tim DeMillo, another chapter in the complex’s history is beginning to unfold and it involves an entirely different use of the Androscoggin River. 

Under a project first proposed last year to extend the 17-mile Whistle Stop Trail south though the Otis Mill and to Bridge Street in Livermore Falls, Otis Ventures and Chisholm Trails considered bringing access to the Androscoggin River for paddling and fishing to the site. Previously there was no good way to access the short stretch of river between the Otis Dam at the mill and the Jay Dam upstream at Pine Island.

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