Working Toward Improving Access to Lilly Pond

Parking remains limited for Lilly Pond Community Forest in Bath but the first step towards change is underway.

Photo credit: Paul Burns

The initial stages of developing an improved parking area for the popular Lilly Pond Community Forest in Bath's south end are underway. The first big step is the removal of a house on High Street condemned by the City of Bath.

The structurally unsafe house containing hazardous insulation was professionally removed the first week of September. The Kennebec Estuary Land Trust is working closely with the City of Bath and our neighbors to ensure safe and proper disposal of all harmful materials.

The freshwater wetland on the property is crucial habitat for songbirds, frogs, wood ducks and nesting birds of prey. The vast forest is prime habitat for foxes and white-tailed deer.

Diverse users of the area and the City of Bath have identified this part of south Bath as a vitally important recreational community asset that embodies the character of our community. It is extremely rare to have such an extensive intact land area in a city, which creates immense opportunity for recreation. Importantly, this project would create a better access point along High Street for access to all of this land.

Conservation of this property will ensure a balanced outcome for people, plants and wildlife. We are raising significant funds through federal and private grants, and a generous bargain sale. We need you and our community to help us protect this important land!

If you are interested to learn more or support the Lilly Pond expansion and trail-head improvement project, please click the link below for more information.