Little Meadow Preserve

The preserve is separated from the Royal River by the inactive St. Lawrence and Atlantic railroad and the active Maine Central railroad that borders the property. Please do not cross the train tracks to access the river – it is illegal.

There is a small two-car parking area between 247 and 269 Peacock Hill Road in New Gloucester.

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There are no trails within the preserve but RRCT may one day develop a short trail to the meadow. The preserve is accessible for those prepared for a rugged off-trail experience. (Off-trail travel requires exceptional attention to minimizing human impact and respecting neighbors’ abutting land.)

Little Meadow Preserve was donated to Royal River Conservation Trust in October 2023 by Andrew and Joanne McKee who owned the parcel for 47 years. Upon making the gift, Andrew reflected: “One day many years ago, as I found myself reminiscing about what rural Massachusetts life had been like while I was growing up, I realized that there was no longer a ‘there.’ Rather than musing about what had been, I looked for where ‘there’ might still be and found it here in New Gloucester. Now that ‘there’ is here, we can ensure that it will forever be so.”

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The McKees had sheep that grazed on the property for over a decade, with one location being where the current three-acre meadow is. After twenty years of no grazing and no mowing, the three-acre meadow has only grown sparse woody vegetation. A spring-fed pond was created at the base of the meadow for the sheep, which today drains across the property to the largest wetland on the property, totaling three acres.

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Funding for the long-term stewardship of the preserve is supported by the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund.

Permitted:  Foraging, hiking, hunting, and snowshoeing. Dogs on leash or under voice control (on leash only near parking, residences, and paved roads), leaving no trace of their visit.

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Hunting: Safe and responsible hunting is permitted with notice. Please review RRCT's Hunting & Trapping Rules and annually register to hunt on RRCT property here. Please take extreme caution due to nearby residences on Peacock Hill Rd.  Note that it is unlawful to discharge any firearm, muzzleloader, or crossbow within 100 yards of a residence. All preserve visitors should wear blaze orange during hunting seasons.

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Not permitted:  Fires, camping, overnight parking, or smoking.

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Required: Wearing of orange during all hunting seasons and adherence to postings on private abutting land.

Royal River Conservation Trust protects and stewards properties, including Little Meadow Preserve, located within the traditional homelands of the Wabanaki. We strive to ensure that our properties are inclusive and accessible and provide opportunities for healing, education, and respite.