Waterville-area outdoor fun opportunities abound

PHOTO: The Riverwalk at Head of Falls in Waterville is one of many places in the Waterville area to get outdoors for free. (Maureen Milliken photo)

WATERVILLE — The outdoors is always the best place to be in Maine during summertime, and it’s an even better option in the time of COVID. As you explore the best Maine has to offer, make sure to check out the gems closest to home. The Central Maine Growth Council has some suggestions, all of them free.

TRAILS
* Kennebec Messalonskee Trails – more than 40 miles of multi-use trails with trailheads in Benton, Fairfield, Oakland, Waterville, and Winslow. The network includes the trail systems of Quarry Road, Thomas College, Colby College, Northern Light Inland Hospital, and KVCC, as well as independent trails.

PARKS
* Town Farm Property (Oakland) – a 40-acre parcel with 1,100 square feet of frontage on McGrath Pond, featuring a 4,000-foot trail system. * Fort Halifax State Park (Winslow) – located at the confluence of the Sebasticook and Kennebec rivers, the park’s blockhouse is a National Historic Landmark.
* Mill Island Park (Fairfield) – The park on an island in the Kennebec River boasts a pedestrian trail system, public greenspace, a playground, and picnic area.
* Head of Falls (Waterville) – with a new RiverWalk and pedestrian Two Cent Bridge, the park in the heart of downtown offers incredible views of the Kennebec River.
* Pleasant Point Park (Oakland) – located on McGrath Pond, this park offers swimming and boating access, along with trails and open spaces.