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For Smorgasbord of Fun, Head for Pineland Farms

April 29, 2009 - NEW GLOUCESTER -- With the first taste of springtime warmth hitting the Portland area, this week is a good one for families to visit Pineland Farms in New Gloucester.

The 990-acre farm, which was purchased by the nonprofit Libra Foundation in 2000, offers a huge assortment of free outdoor activities, along with some farm-related fun at a minimal cost.

The campus has a stocked fishing pond for children, tennis courts and more than 15 miles of rolling wooded trails -- all to be enjoyed for free.

In addition, there is a self-guided farm tour, where children can visit cows and chickens -- and later in the summer, pigs and sheep -- for less than $5.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, Pineland farmers are busy making cheese at the creamery. Stop by and see how the cream gets stirred and shaped into cheese.

If you head back outside, a nature pack can be signed out for a self-guided nature tour.

"It has books of tree, plant and bird identification. And a compass and field guide," said Todd Jepson, executive director of Pineland Farms.

For a more rigorous adventure, families can explore by foot or bike the wide forest trails. A day pass to mountain bike on the trails costs $5, but hiking is free.

There are roughly 15.5 miles of marked trails that are color-coded for easy navigation on a map. And mud season seems to have skipped this hilly area, at least for now.

"The snow is pretty much gone, almost completely mudless," Jepson said.

At the end of your trek, the Market and Welcome Center has a cafeteria that sells mostly Maine-made foods and local produce.

Starting May 1, Pineland Farms will sell Toots ice cream from the well-known North Yarmouth dairy farm.

Pineland could have made its own ice cream, but, as Jepson said, why try to improve on something so tasty?

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Pineland Farms.

WHEN: Anytime.

WHERE: In New Gloucester, off Route 231. Take Interstate 95 to Yarmouth, then take Route 115 north to Route 231. Pineland Farms is just past Town Farm Road on the left.

HOW MUCH: Most events are free. Mountain biking on the trails is $5, and the tour of the creamery is $3 to $5.

CONTACT: 688-4539; www.pinelandfarms.org/index.htm

By DEIRDRE FLEMING Staff Writer, Portland Press Herald April 22, 2009


Lakes:
Regions: Sebago


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