Trails
everywhere I go
I seek out trails
wherever I go. From our camp, as in
“Upta Camp” on Little Sebago in Gray, ME, I can access extensive trails for
hiking, biking and snowmobiling. A favorite just outside the heart of Gray is
Libby Hill Forest. I thought the history interesting.
In 1764 Gray, then
called “New Boston”, was settled. Daniel
Libby, one of the original settlers, became a large land owner and prominent
citizen. The high hill just west of the town center became known as “Libby
Hill.”
The Hill family
established farms in the area. Grandson, James, cleared the trees and created a
farm at the top of Libby Hill in 1816. The farm was abandoned around the time
of the Civil War.
There is lots of open
land in Maine, so one more abandoned farm does not gather special notice – more
pine trees and possible snowmobile trails.
Then, in 1973 a Libby
descendent donated 70 acres of land on top of the ridge behind the Gray Middle
and High Schools for use as park and recreational activities. We know the
wheels of government tend to turn slowly, but in 1999 the Gray Parks and
Recreation department decided to start an ad hoc committee to develop a public
trail system on the property. By January 2000 some 2 dozen citizens of Gray
picked up the ball, obtained a grant from the Maine Forest Service, and rolled
up their sleeves and got to work. Along the way the Gray Community Endowment
acquired an additional 46 acres.
Today the trail system
offers 7 miles of well marked trails offering year round easy to moderate
hiking, skiing, biking, running, and dog walking just outside the town center.
The trails are wide and mostly shady. The footing is covered with pine
needles. I cannot claim a favorite
trail. You can experience a history lesson, or water fowl, or an aerobic climb
– whatever you need on any given outing.
I say kudos to the
Friends of Libby Hill for maintaining and continuing to develop this area for
public recreation.
