June 21, 2024
Prescott Field Trail System
A Milestone in the Accessible Trails Project
The Accessible Trails Project included trailhead road signage, trail rerouting, and increased accessibility to the trail. The project also repurposed an unused town parking area and built a .51-mile crushed stone fully accessible trail to the banks of the Sandy River.
The accessible trail reroutes around steep areas and through the compaction of stone aggregate, the trail surface is wide and stable.
Renovations were funded through grants from the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund, Maine Timberland Trust, Northern Forest Center, Libra Foundation, and Franklin Savings Bank.
Discover the Accessible Trail in Our 5.1-Mile Trail Network
The accessible trail connects and is part of a larger, 5.1-mile, trail system throughout the fields and along the Sandy River.
You can find information on the ADA trail at Maine Trail Finder and a full map on the UMF website.
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Accessible Trail Timeline
2018
The project is initiated by Scott Hoisington, leading to the creation of a practicum project aimed at developing designated trails. The goal is to create a year-round trail system near the Sandy River plain. Initial trails are established in the forest area adjacent to athletic fields and in a rolling field behind UMF’s soccer field.
2019
The project expands with grant funding from the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund.
Hoisington and Dr. Gina Oswald propose a grant to establish ADA-compliant kiosks and signage.
2020
Drs. Matt McCourt and Jessie Minor involve their First Year Seminar students in a mapping exercise focused on accessibility for users with vision and mobility impairments.
2021
Dr. Oswald’s students in the REH 222 course develop nature-based meditation recordings and mindfulness activities for the trails. Students in the REH 120 course volunteer to design ADA-compliant information signs.
The High Peaks Alliance secures additional funding from the Northern Forest Center to construct the first fully accessible trail in Franklin County within the Prescott Fields trail system.
The trail is designed to be six feet wide with a crushed rock surface, ensuring accessibility for individuals with mobility issues.
2022
The project continues to develop, with ongoing maintenance and the addition of more trails and features, including the long-term goal of providing ADA-compliant trails and a demonstration/information site for trail builders.
2023
December storms cause severe flooding on the Prescott Field Accessible Trail. Flood waters destroyed an accessible bridge and left several inches of silt clay across the crushed stone path and parking lot.
2024
In June 2024, the High Peaks Alliance spearheaded the collaborative efforts to repair the Prescott Field Accessible Trail system after the region was impacted by severe flooding through the winter and spring.
E.L. Vining & Son donated riprap for the project. Dana Bowman of Boomtown Rustic Camp provided earthworks and replaced the bridge with a culvert. Ryan Wilford, of Red Door Title, generously donated his time and equipment to place the riprap and grade surfaces.
Additionally, students from the University of Maine’s Mainely Outdoors students removed the soil from the crushed stone surface to ensure the trail.
These students are the day-to-day stewards of this trail.
Being Mindful on the Trail
University of Maine at Farmington students have taken an innovative approach to enhance the outdoor experience at the Prescott Field Accessible Trail by developing a series of nature-based meditation recordings and mindfulness activities. These recordings are designed to help you connect with nature while promoting relaxation and mindfulness.
Each session is thoughtfully crafted to guide participants through mindfulness practices that can be easily followed. Conveniently hosted on YouTube these meditations are accessible to everyone.
