Outdoors
The BDN outdoors section brings readers into the woods, waters and wild places of Maine. It features stories on hunting, fishing, wildlife, conservation and recreation, told by people who live these experiences. This section emphasizes hands-on knowledge, field reports, issues, trends and the traditions that define life outside in Maine. Read more Outdoors stories here.
The mowed path at Leighton Field meanders gently downslope to the water’s edge through sweet meadows of wild blueberries, grasses and wildflowers dotted with white spruce, paper birch and the occasional apple tree.
It’s a pleasant walk that you wish went on for miles instead of just one. So you proceed slowly, letting your senses absorb it all. At each opening onto the sand-and-gravel shore, you step out to enjoy the big-sky views.
You’ll find Leighton Field most of the way down Leighton Neck Road in Pembroke. The 25-acre property is part of Cobscook Shores, a system of waterfront parklands in far Down East Maine owned and managed by the private nonprofit Butler Parklands. Penobscot River Trails and the Seboeis Riverside Trail in the wild country east of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument also fall under Butler’s conservation umbrella.
Leighton Field features 1,300 feet of shorefront on Cobscook Bay. As the tide gently laps the pebbles under my shoes, I stand for a long while gazing out toward Seward Neck, Birch Point, Clement Point, Hersey Neck, East Bay and the mouth of the Pennamaquan River. Glorious.
Wandering on, my wife Fran, and I enjoy lunch at a shaded picnic table before admiring the finely crafted screened pavilion and its picture-window vista.
The hike at Leighton Field was the last of a two-day romp around these parts, where we sampled seven new-to-us Cobscook Shores preserves out of the system’s 20. From Weir Point, Hardscrabble River, Clark Point and Morrison Cove to Island Coves, Great South Bay Trails and Leighton Field — and somewhere in among those we tagged The Nature Conservancy’s Hersey Point just for drill — it was a heckuva good run and some kind of good fun.
The original Cobscook Shores parklands were all in Lubec. Over the years, they expanded into neighboring Trescott and Whiting, then north to Edmunds, Dennysville and Pembroke.
Today there are about 25 miles of trails, most of them along 17 miles of shoreline. More is in the works, thanks to this tireless group, and every visit to this uber-scenic area reveals more to see and do.
Leighton Field is a prime example.
“This summer we’ll be installing a series of interpretive signs that highlight edible and medicinal plants growing on the property, including cranberry, blueberry, yarrow and blue flag iris,” said Charlie Howe, director of parklands at Butler Parklands. “The project was inspired by the work of Steven Foster and John Duke’s ‘Peterson’s Guide to Medicinal Plants.’ As the welcome kiosk notes, Foster had roots in Pembroke.”
Two new parklands with trails will open this summer, according to Howe.
Carrying Place Cove in Trescott, directly across from Cobscook Bay State Park, spans 60 acres with 2 miles of shoreline where another 2 miles of trail are under construction. At Timber Cove in Whiting, 3 miles of trail have already been cleared on the 35-acre parcel. Both properties protect important wildlife habitat, feature dramatic views and will be a delight to wander through.
But wait, there’s more.
Land additions at South Bay Narrows, Island Coves and Whiting Bay Beach also will add more miles of trail to explore. The new parklands, trails and trail expansions are expected to open to the public this summer.
Among the many things to love about Cobscook Shores is its robust youth outdoor education program.
Local students spend quality time outdoors mountain biking, kayaking and canoeing. During winter they enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at both Cobscook Shores and Penobscot River Trails, with equipment provided at no cost.
Outstanding.
Part of the impetus for expanding the parkland system into the northern reaches of Cobscook Bay was to increase opportunities for youngsters to get outside.
“Leighton Field, for example, was a good choice because it’s very accessible to Pembroke-area schools,” Howe said. “Leighton Field and Race Point are our mountain bike centers for the kids. We also have paddling on the Orange River at Reynolds Brook. We serve 15 area schools with young people from pre-K through high school. There were 6,800 visits at last count.”
I’ll be plunking down the camper at Sunset Point Campground in Lubec for a few days in late August with big plans to hike and paddle. Maybe I’ll chow down on a lobster roll or two and enjoy some clams, both steamed and fried. There’s a good chance I’ll hoist a cold pint or two of Quoddy Head Red at Lubec Brewing, too.
But knowing about all the new places and trails, an earlier trip might also be in order.
“The Cobscook Bay region is a truly unique, ecologically rich landscape,” Howe said. “With our trails mostly on the water or with views of it, you can really experience this incredible beauty and biodiversity. And it’s all very accessible and user-friendly.”
For first-time visitors, Howe recommends taking a bite-size approach.
Think of Cobscook Shores as four mini-regions: Seward Neck and South Bay, Denbow Neck and Straight Bay, Crows Neck and Whiting Bay, and the Northern Parklands. Pick an area that strikes your fancy and have a go at it, daypack and all. Kiosks filled with information and paper trail guides are available at most trailheads.
The level of detail that has gone into every aspect of Cobscook Shores is extraordinary. From roadside wayfinding signs, trailhead kiosks, vault toilets and water fountains to trail construction, trail signs and screened pavilions, it’s no wonder these special places are called parklands.
Come prepared to be amazed by this remarkable corner of the state.
