- Highland Green to Open Public Nature Trail

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Highland Green to Open Public Nature Trail

"Heath Loop" Will be First of Many Public Trails Set in Nature Sanctuary

October 9, 2002

TOPSHAM, Maine – Highland Green, Maine's first active adult community, is demonstrating that it considers being a good neighbor one of its most important goals. After working with a local environmental group to establish a 250-acre permanent conservation easement and helping found the Cathance River Educational Alliance (C.R.E.A.) to assist local schools in their environmental studies, Highland Green owner and founder John Wasileski set his sights on establishing a series of public hiking trails.

"Being an active part of the community is important to Highland Green. We want people to enjoy the benefits of this beautiful property and providing trails for hiking, biking and cross country skiing is one way we can help share the natural beauty of the area," said Wasileski.

The hiking trail complex will consist of six well-tended trails that wind their way through the 250-acre conservation sanctuary, alongside the Cathance River, next to the distinctive heath, quarries and over picturesque footbridges. When completed the hiking trails will include the Blueberry, .65 miles; Heather, .55 miles, Cattail, .70 miles, Fern, 1.0 miles; Lupine, .65 miles and the paved golf cart trail, 1.5 miles.

The area students participating in C.R.E.A. and people like Brunswick High School teacher and C.R.E.A. education director Rick Wilson have been a driving force behind the creation of the walking trails. Students have been working on the hiking trails as part of their community service project and C.R.E.A. will use them as part of their environmental studies program.

"The public hiking trails will help the students gain access to the Cathance River – which will enable the students to monitor the water quality and participate in other hands-on learning activities," said Wilson.

Jeff Davison, director of Alternative Education for Mt. Ararat High School, said the nature observed from the walking trails and the curriculum developed with help from the C.R.E.A. teacher workshops will be a major part of his students' learning exercises.

"The way the day is structured for the alternative education students gives us the opportunity to spend several hours at a time collecting data and learning about nature. We're fortunate to be so close to the Cathance River and the hiking trails. John Wasileski and everyone involved with C.R.E.A. are to be commended for making them available to the community and our students," said Davison.

Highland Green is Maine's premier active adult community and golf course, located in the midcoast community of Topsham. Created by noted Maine developer and environmentalist John Wasileski, Highland Green encompasses more than 600 acres and offers residents access to numerous recreational opportunities and a scenic nine-hole golf course. Wasileski is also the owner and developer of OceanView at Falmouth and The Highlands in Topsham. For more information on Highland Green, call (207) 725-4549 or visit www.highlandgreenmaine.com.

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