Town Forest

Activities: Walking, Hiking, Snowshoeing, Cross Country Skiing, Biking, Observing Nature.

Trail Length & Difficulty: The Town Forest contains about 2 miles of EASY trails.  There are additional trails in the field adjacent to the Forest with connections to the Butterfly and Peony Gardens.

Location & Parking: Entrances are on Tuttle and Drowne Roads.  Parking is available at the Cumberland Town Hall (290 Tuttle Road).

Property Description: The Town Forest contain a 1.5-mile loop (blue trail) with a 0.3-mile spur (green trail) to Drowne Road located in the woods behind the Cumberland Town Hall. Within the larger loop, is a ¾ mile Story Walk that provides an outdoor adventure for residents to read a story as they walk the patch and take in the scenery. The story changes the 1st Saturday of every month. The trail is wide and graded with gravel. Some sections are damp at times, especially in the spring.   A series of 16 markers along the blue trail loop identify natural features of interest including habitat zones, flora, and remnants of past land uses.

History: The Town Forest was planted in the 1930s. The trail meanders through distinct forest stands, as well as swamp and open field. Plantations of red pine, an old field that is now a white pine plantation, a mixed spruce and pine plantation, and mixed hardwood and softwood stands can be seen along the trail. Unfortunately, several sections of the Forest have fallen victim to invasive species.  Efforts are currently ongoing to control the invasive species in the forest.  A series of 16 trail markers along the forest loop identify natural features of interest including habitat zones, flora, and remnants of past land uses.

Other Information: Dogs are allowed on leash. Snowmobiles are permitted on approved snowmobile trails.