Front of Town Hall
200 Main Street, Yarmouth, MAINE 04096
Monday - Friday: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Frank KnightForest
Frank Knight Forest
618 East Main Street
The Yarmouth Community Garden on East Main Street is the entryway into this wonderful 75-acre property which features several open meadows, mature woods with large pines and steep-sided, hemlock-draped ravines. This is a great place to explore a wide diversity of habitats.
Trails
Two trailheads start from the Community Garden; the main trail extends north from the garden’s central lane and a second heads into the woods from the back of the Renters’ Garden on the left of the entry lane. Both head into young and mature woods, around wetlands, ending up in the first of two lovely meadows. This first larger meadow has a cluster of red maples with a stone bench dedicated to the park’s first volunteer steward, Annie Simpson. Beyond this field trails extend in three directions, looping roughly 3 more miles through a second meadow, and some mixed pine woods, past glacial erratics and ancient hemlock, stately oak and spruce trees. There are several spur trails one of which slopes down a narrow ridge to one of the many tributary streams of Pratt’s Brook. Another spur heads north to the PanAm/Amtrak rail line, where currently there is no legal access.
Thanks to numerous volunteers, several small bridges now keep users’ feet (and paws) mud free, and a number of small wooden signs point the way. This trail system is still undergoing improvement, so consider carrying this map with you until you become familiar with the land. Please also respect the neighbor’s No Trespassing signs, as the dirt road leading back to the railroad tracks may not be accessed from the Frank Knight Forest trail system.
Directions
Take East Main Street heading northeast. From the North Road intersection, the entrance is about 0.8 mile on the left just past the Community Garden sign. Park by the kiosk at the Community Garden.
Special Notes
Hunting is allowed on this property by permit from Town Hall. Please use caution and wear blaze orange during hunting season. Be alert when near the railway, passenger service has been restored on this line, with increased traffic and operating speed.
Dogs are allowed on leash only on a well-marked segment of the Frank's Loop trail. Otherwise, CHAPTER 309 in the Town Code requires all dog owners to follow the Animal Control Ordinance.
