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PHOTO: A hiker walks past the new Farm to Town trailhead on Water Street in Norway. (Andy Gagne photo)
NORWAY – The Western Foothills Land Trust Jan. 22 celebrated the opening of two new recreational trails that connect downtown to the extensive trail system at Roberts Farm Preserve.
The new non-motorized trails, each approximately two miles long, run roughly parallel to each other and to Lake Pennesseewassee, terminating at a trailhead across from the public parking on Water Street. The Lunch Trail, named after Maine Beer Company’s popular IPA, is a 14-foot wide groomed Nordic trail that branches off the Stephens Trail at the preserve.
The new single track trail for snowshoeing, hiking, and dog walking is named Janet’s Trail, in memory of Janet Nicholas. It branches off from the preserve’s single track Walker Trail.
Both Lunch and Janet’s trails provide serene outdoor experiences through the mature forested hillside with stream crossings and occasional views of the lake or of the village of Norway and Streaked and Singepole mountains.
The trails have been in the works since 2010, involving easements, land acquisition and more. One of the potential easement donors died in 2022, and donors, charitable foundations, and Maine Beer Company stepped forward for a portion of the funding so the trust could buy the parcel, with Norway Savings Bank providing a mortgage for the balance.
Once the land was secured, volunteers worked to open ski and singletrack trail corridors. Bethel’s Alex Graves was contracted to build the final mile of the Lunch Trail with funding from the Recreational Trails Program. J. Pratt Construction and Double T Fence were also involved onsite. Volunteers prepared Janet’s Trail by hand during the fall, and constructed the bridges in December. In January, Black Dog Timberworks erected a timber frame kiosk at the trailhead with roofing donated by Everlast Roofing in Bridgton.
