FARMINGTON — High Peaks Alliance has conserved Mosher Hill Falls, now known as the Bernard and Jean Kinney Family Forest, preserving the 199-acre forest for public access and community use. The property features a scenic loop trail, the striking 45-foot Mosher Hill Falls, mature conifers and wetlands.
Named a “community gem” in the State of the High Peaks reports, the Bernard and Jean Kinney Family Forest will remain open for public enjoyment, recreation, and stewardship for years to come.
Steve Kinney, the former owner of the property conserved by High Peaks Alliance and now known as the Bernard and Jean Kinney Family Forest, said, “I chose to name this reserve in honor of my parents because of several factors. My father, being of Irish descent, had a true love of the land and enjoyed spending as many hours as possible out in the woods and pastures of his own property. He was an excellent steward of the land and instilled in us, his children, the importance of caring for it. My mother also enjoyed nature and the outdoors. She hiked, biked, kayaked, and enjoyed cross-country and downhill skiing. Between the two of them, we were shown the importance of nature and to value the beautiful state that we have been blessed to call home. My father has passed, but my mother, at 101, will be part of the ceremony celebrating this special place named in her honor.”
For years, locals and visitors have come to Mosher Hill Falls to hike, wade at its base, explore the woods, and enjoy a quiet connection with nature. Its dramatic waterfall, forest, and wetland habitat make it one of the most distinctive landscapes in the region.
Doug Dunlap, Farmington resident, Alliance board member and longtime Maine outdoorsman, said, “Our kids loved to visit the falls and explore the surrounding woods in their growing-up years, and now return with their own children. I am grateful that other families, anyone of any age, will have access to this gem, forever.”
On Aug. 8, the community is invited to a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the conservation of this property. The event will include brief remarks, a walk to the falls and time to explore the new trail improvements. Please RSVP to know how many to expect.
The Bernard and Jean Kinney Family Forest will also serve as a place for hands-on learning and community connection. The Alliance will use the forest as a learning site for Foster Tech’s Forestry and Wood Harvesting and Outdoor Leadership Programs, helping students apply classroom learning in a real-world setting.
On Aug. 12, the Alliance will host a Tree ID and Bird Ecology Walk at the Bernard and Jean Kinney Family Forest. Led by District Forester Julie Davenport and The Wilderness Society’s Peter McKinley, the walk will give participants a chance to learn about tree species, bird habitat and the ecological importance of the site. Registration is required.
The conservation of Mosher Hill Falls was made possible through the generous support of the John Sage Foundation, Maine Mountain Collaborative, Lands for Maine’s Future, Susan and Fritz Onion, the U.S. Forest Service Community Forest Program, private donors, Acme Land Surveying and Acorn Engineering.
“Mosher Hill Falls is a magical place just out of Town where the Kinney Family has allowed people to enjoy for the last 20 years,” Brent West, executive director of High Peaks Alliance, said. “Now the community will always be able to explore the gorge and enjoy the waterfall. Additionally, this forest will be used as a learning forest for Foster Tech’s Forestry and Wood Harvesting and Outdoor Leadership Programs. ”
For more information about Mosher Hill Falls and upcoming programs, visit HighPeaksAlliance.org.