TRAILS
Dow’s Woods Trail
Dow’s Woods Trail is a short, easy loop trail through a nature preserve managed by the South Portland Land Trust. The trail provides visual access to a 2-acre pond that is part of the Kimball Brook system.
Managed by the South Portland Land Trust
Trail Heads
dows woods Trail HAS ONE PRIMARY ACCESS POINt:
Dow Rd: From the South Portland High School upper parking lot, find Preservation Lane across Highland Ave. At the end of this short street, find four paved parking spaces reserved for trail users. The trail head is at the break in the low stone wall a few feet from the edge of the small asphalt parking area. Look for the trail sign at the break in the stone wall.
About the Trail
The Dow’s Woods Trail is part of the Dows Woods Nature Preserve, a 9.3-acre property across Highland Avenue from the South Portland High School complex. The preserve consists of undeveloped dense woodland and a 2-acre pond which is part of the Kimball Brook system. The natural state of the area provides a critical habitat for many living creatures and plants, including hundreds of mature trees.
The trail is intended for passive recreation, nature observation, education, and research. Access is allowed on foot only. Pets, bicycles, and motorized vehicles are prohibited in order to preserve the environment as best as possible.
Dow’s Woods was established when the Dow family transferred land to H.W. Land Company for a residential development upon the condition that over 9 acres of that land be set aside as a nature preserve. The City of South Portland Land Bank provided funds to purchase the easement in 2016, which is held by the South Portland Land Trust.
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