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Seeding Closes Roberts Farm Preserve in Norway

July 02, 2010 - NORWAY -- A nature preserve opened earlier this year will remain closed to the public for approximately one more month while volunteers work to put grass seed down on the trails.

The Roberts Farm Preserve, a 165-acre recreational area on the side of Pike's Hill, had its grand opening in February. The Western Foothills Land Trust purchased the property in 2007 after an effort to establish a technology park in the area fell through.

The preserve, situated on land that was once used as a dairy farm, was open for winter activities such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Once the snow melted, however, the land was closed for mud season to prevent damage to the trails and remained gated due to the planting of grass seed.

Lee Dassler, coordinator of the trust, said the seeding effort aims to stabilize the trail surfaces and provide erosion control. The work is time-consuming due to the length volunteers need to travel to bring mulch or grass seed to the more remote areas of the preserve.

“What we're waiting for is the grass to grow and things to stabilize,” Dassler said.

Bob Van Nest, president of the trust, said the grass will help to provide a more even surface for recreational activities. He said the trust would like to mow the grass once before the trails are reopened, and estimated that they will be accessible again in early August.

“Probably about 80 percent of the existing trails are seeded,” he said.

Dassler said the trust is being cautious about using the trails due to the expense of the seeding effort. Van Nest said the trails may be limited to foot traffic when they are reopened, with activities such as bicycling and horseback riding postponed.

“I really think we need to get the turf built up to withstand that kind of usage,” he said.

The trust is also working to raise money to complete other aspects of the preserve, including finishing trails, establishing a handicap-accessible route, and building a set of stone steps leading down to the rest area on Route 117. It is also forming a committee to determine the use of an 1823 farmhouse on site and looking to build a warming hut that will also store a snow groomer.

The trust plans to complete more than 7 miles of trails in the preserve.

by M. Dirk Langeveld, Lewiston Sun Journal, July 2, 2010

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Regions: Sebago


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