Erickson Fields, Rockport
This former Rockport dairy farm features a 1.8-mile trail and gardens where young people grow food for the community.
There's now a campaign underway to make Erickson Fields and nearby Aldermere Farm safer, more efficient, and more inclusive for the decades to come!
Erickson Fields is great for:
- Walking – Enjoy the family- and dog-friendly 1.4-mile trail that loops through field and forest, past fitness stations where walkers can stop for additional workouts. There’s also a connector trail to Beech Hill Preserve. Please see guidelines below for specific information about when dogs are allowed off-leash on the trail.
- Agricultural Education – Register yourself or a family member for one of Erickson Fields many educational programs that focus on sustainable agriculture. Scroll down for more information.
Curious to learn more about this preserve and how it operates along with neighboring Aldermere Farm? Check out the FAQ.
How to get there
Erickson Fields Preserve is located at 164 West Street, Rockport. From the junction of Route 1 and Route 90 in Rockport, follow Route 90 west and drive approximately three tenths of a mile. After passing the Market Basket, several houses and a short stretch of woods, Erickson Fields Preserve is on your left, across from Cross Street.
For a complete map with legend and guidelines, click on the Printable Preserve Map above.
Erickson Fields Preserve Tour
Programming at Erickson Fields
Erickson Fields Preserve is home to the Teen Ag Program, where local high school students work planting, harvesting, and distributing food to local hunger relief organizations, schools, and businesses. The preserve also hosts other programs, nature walks, and workshops that foster an appreciation for the environment and sustainable food production, including a community garden and Kids Can Grow, a program that teaches families about backyard gardening.
As members of the Knox County Food Council, we collaborate with many other organizations to help get food to our neighbors who need it. Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of working with wonderful individuals and groups to make this important work possible.
How Erickson Fields became open to the public
Erickson Farm was a dairy farm for many generations, until the Erickson family stopped farming the land in the 1980s. The family welcomed Aldermere Farm to manage the fields for hay and for grazing Belted Galloway Cattle. When the Erickson family ultimately decided to sell the land, they worked closely with MCHT staff in partnership with Maine Farmland Trust (MFT) to preserve the farm property. MCHT and MFT recognized the value of preserving rapidly disappearing farmland, maintaining a significant green space close to the center of Rockport village, and providing an opportunity to manage the land as a community resource.
This place belongs to all of us. Help us take care of it!
Preserve information/guidelines
- Dogs Allowed Off-Leash Sunrise to 9AM in Designated Areas of the Trail. Outside of those Hours and when Off the Trail, Pets Must be Leashed at All Times.
- No Camping Permitted
- No Fires Permitted
- Stay on Established Trail
- Carry Out All Trash
- Including Human and Pet Waste and Toilet Paper
- Please Respect the Privacy of Preserve Neighbors
