Within view of the parking area there is a kiosk, swings, a picnic spot and benches from which one can look out over the Kennebec River rapids. The first tenth of a mile consists of a 9-foot wide paved walkway that is flat, making it suitable for strollers, wheelchairs, and others with mobility devices.
Along the way to the northern end of the island there is historical signage and the ruins of the basements of some of the factories that gave the island its name. The trail also offers views of the Kennebec River. There were five miles of rapids between the Island and Waterville when Benedict Arnold and his men made their way up the river in 1775. Now those rapids are flooded out by two hydroelectric dams spanning the Kennebec between Waterville and Winslow.
This trail was dreamed up primarily by Steve Kierstead, a local dentist. The trail work was accomplished by Fairfield's Public Works crews, with trail materials donated by Tilcon.
Visit the Town of Fairfield online for more information or contact:
Town of FairfieldFrom the center of Fairfield, take the ME-139 bridge across the Kennebec River, then take the first left onto the island. From Benton take the last turn to the right off the bridge. Drive to the end of the short road, beneath the railroad trestle, to the parking lot and a public restroom facility.
There are no designated ADA parking spaces, but the parking lot is paved and on level with the walkway. A locked gate blocks entry to the walkway directly from the lot. There is about 4 feet to the right of the gate between the gate and a rock that provides access, with a grassy surface between the paved parking lot and around the gate to the paved walkway.
Success! A new password has been emailed to you.
