A Landmark for Strong
High Peaks Alliance is proud to announce the conservation of Walrath Woods, a 124‑acre riverside property in Strong that protects public access to the Sandy River. As Strong’s first conserved land with a formal public trail, the project marks a significant milestone for the community.
Walrath Woods safeguards the longest continuous stretches of the Sandy River with guaranteed public access, supporting hiking, fishing, hunting, foraging, and winter recreation for residents and visitors. The property includes a mix of riverfront, farmland, and forest and reflects decades of thoughtful stewardship by Doug and Sherry Walrath.
The Sandy River plays an important role in Atlantic salmon recovery in Maine; it is part of one of the few remaining U.S. watersheds where naturally spawning Atlantic salmon still return, and the Sandy River watershed contains some of the highest-quality habitat for the species in the nation. Protecting riverfront land like Walrath Woods helps conserve the broader landscape that supports this rare and endangered fish, along with the clean water and intact habitat it depends on.
“Walrath Woods is a milestone for Strong. It’s the town’s first public trail, and 1.7 miles of riverfront are now conserved for the community,” said Brent West. “ This is a place where people can get outside, connect with the Sandy River, and know this landscape will stay open for generations.”
“‘I’m delighted that, thanks to the stewardship of High Peaks Alliance, the wonderful shoreland and trail along the Sandy River that Sherry and I and our family enjoyed for many years will now be available for others to enjoy for years to come,’ Doug Walrath said.
Sherry Walrath Memorial Trail Coming Soon
The Alliance is seeking community support to help prepare the future Sherry Walrath Memorial Trail for opening, including volunteer efforts to clean up the corridor, remove debris such as old tires, and install signage.
The High Peaks Recreation Rangers will reestablish the footpath on the property, creating an approximately 0.8-mile out-and-back trail featuring river access and viewpoints, kiosks, and Aldo Leopold benches.
The trail will be named in honor of Sherry Walrath (1937–2025), who loved to walk this land, and will restore the first formal public access to this stretch of river in Strong.
100-Acre Extension: Next Phase
Building on this success, High Peaks Alliance is actively working to conserve an additional parcel directly to the south, which would add roughly 100 acres and protect another mile of Sandy River frontage, further expanding public access and conserving wildlife habitat.
Together, the conserved Walrath Woods and the proposed extension would create a connected conservation block along the Sandy River, increasing long‑term ecological and recreational value for the region.
Walrath Woods was supported by funding from the Maine Trails Program, Davis Family Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, the Atlantic Salmon Federation, the Maine Mountain Collaboration, The Davis Foundation, the Horizon Foundation, private supporters, and partner organizations. The Alliance continues to pursue additional grants and community support to complete stewardship work and trail improvements across both properties.
The Alliance is inviting community members to play a direct role in conserving a significant 100-acre addition to Walrath Woods. Donations will directly support land protection, public access, and habitat conservation along the Sandy River. While initial funding needs were identified earlier in the campaign, community contributions are now critical to completing the project and ensuring this landscape is permanently conserved and cared for.
