AUBURN — Celebrate National Trails Day Saturday, June 4, with a hike on the Homestead Trail with the Androscoggin Land Trust at the Androscoggin Riverlands State Park.

The Riverlands was a flourishing neighborhood along the Old River Road in Turner until 1927, when Central Maine Power built Gulf Island Dam and flooded the valley upstream for 11 miles. The homesteads were destroyed, but fascinating foundation remnants and artifacts still exist along the Homestead Trail.

ALT Vice-President Judy Marden will lead a guided walk along the footpath and remaining portions of the old road, pausing to explore granite foundations and dooryard plantings left by the original inhabitants, spring wildflowers, migrating birds and wildlife along the way. Turn around at the Picnic Meadow for a 2.6 mile trip, or stop for lunch (bring your own) and then continue on to finish the rest of the trail, a 4.5 mile round-trip loop.

Those looking to hike should meet at the Riverlands parking lot off of Center Bridge Road in Turner by 10 a.m. to join the group. Participants should bring a daypack, sturdy footwear, wind/rain gear, hat, bug repellent, sunscreen, water, lunch and/or snacks and a camera.

For directions and more information about the park, visit www.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/doc/parksearch/search_name.pl?state_park=98&historic_site=&public_reserved_land=&shared_use_trails=&option=search#description.

For more information, contact ALT at 782-2302 or info@androscogginlandtrust.org. Visit the website at www.androscogginlandtrust.org.

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