Woodward Point

Working in partnership with Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust (BTLT), MCHT raised the necessary funds to purchase the property in 2019 thanks to support from the Land for Maine’s Future Program, the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Coastal Wetlands Program, the Town of Brunswick, and through the generosity of numerous private contributors. MCHT now co-manages the preserve with BTLT.

The Woodward Point property consists of totals 87.5 acres of upland field and forests. In addition, there are more than 38 acres of subtidal wetlands and almost four acres of fringing salt marsh. Most of the intertidal lands are state-mapped significant shellfish beds as well as high-value waterfowl and wading bird habitat. The shellfish beds in Woodward Cove and “the Little Bullpen” consistently produce some of the highest shellfish landings in the Casco Bay region.

The fields found on the preserve today were once part of an active farming operation that included dairy and beef cows, as well as hay production. Previous owners also built a dam on the western side of the propertypoint that forms a small pond.

A 1.5-mile trail network provides opportunities for people of all abilities to recreate at this special place. A feature of the offerings is Andy’s Trail, completed in 2025, which connects the accessible parking lot to key vistas. All trails start from the kiosk, noticeable to the south from the driveway and main parking lot.

Andy’s Trail 

Andy’s Trail is a 5’-wide, rollable packed-stone dust trail that rings the middle hay field. It has great views of the Little Bull Pen cove, peeks into the drainage gullies of the fields, and a small promenade with an expansive view of the main field, which is perfect for watching the summer bobolinks!  

Van-accessible parking is located immediately adjacent to the kiosk, and a seasonally-available portable restroom is available in the secondary parking lot.         

The trail was constructed to meet the United States Forest Service Trail Accessibility Guidelines (FSTAG) and the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standards (ABAAS). As such, the trail is generally level, with a cross-slope of less than 2%. Resting areas with accessible benches are provided at vistas and  by steeper portions of the trail. 

The trail goes west towards the farm pond and dam from the trailhead, parallel to the field fence. The trail curves around the corner of the field (at the intersection with the Western Point Trail), running south along the western edge of the field. Resting areas with benches are located no less than every 300’, including an overlook at the southernmost tip of the field. The trail goes north, skirting the field and crossing two culverts. The trail meanders to the prominent large erratic boulder, where an additional bench, observation area, and resting area are located. The trail terminates at the trailhead. 

Trail shoulders are mowed in the growing season every couple of weeks. Leaves and acorns are removed every few weeks during the fall. There is no winter maintenance of the trail. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are welcome when snow is on the ground. 

Andy’s Trail provides access to the Middle Point Trail, Western Point Trail, and Northwest Flats Access Trail.   

Middle Point Trail 

The Middle Point Trail is a one-half mile trail that leads from the main trailhead to the Middle Point, along the edge of the main field and through a hemlock stand. The trail provides excellent views of the rolling middle field, opportunities for bird- watching (grassland birds during the hay season!), a beautiful sitting spot overlooking the clam flats of Woodward Cove, and access to the water via a set of granite steps with a handrail. The trail consists of three principal segments, each with varying conditions.   

There is no winter maintenance of the trail. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are welcome when snow is on the ground. 

Middle Point Trail provides access to the Starfish Point trail.   

Segments: 

0.0 – 0.3 mi Trail follows a two-track farm field road along the western edge of the main field. The path is generally level (<10’ total elevation gain), with a cross slope of 0-5%. This segment has few roots and is mostly compacted grass. No width constraints. During the hay season, the trail is cut weekly with a brush hog, maintaining a mown grass (<4”) hard-packed 8’-wide corridor. Winter snow and spring thaw can create areas of ice and mud where the trail crosses the field drains. A bench is located about 500’ north of the trailhead.   

0.3 – 0.4 mi Trail enters the wooded peninsula, crossing a 4’-wide, 6’-long tight-planked bridge (1” approach lip), and meanders through a stand of younger hemlock before opening up to a view of the ‘Little Bull Pen’ cove and mud flats. This segment varies in width from 3.5’-6, with a compacted duff and soil surface. Tree roots cross the trail in multiple locations; most are less than 2” above the tread.  Generally level, with a cross slope of less than 2%. A bench is about 200’ within the woods.   

0.4 – 0.5 mi Trail continues down the peninsula, connecting back to the former two-track farm field road within the mostly open hemlock stand. This part of the trail has the most varied surface, with many tree roots crossing the trail for a 50’ section. Compacted soil surface. Corridor width varies but is no less than 6’ at any point. Trail gradually climbs about 10’ and then down to a small unlevel landing at the top of a set of granite steps. Water access is limited to the 12 granite steps with a handrail. 

Starfish Point Trail 

The Starfish Point Trail is a one-quarter mile trail that leads from the Middle Point Trail to Starfish Point, crossing the main field and running down the eastern peninsula. Starfish Point looks out onto the New Meadows River; in late spring and early summer jelly fish and horseshoe crabs are plentiful here. There are two distinctive segments of this trail. 

There is no winter maintenance of the trail. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are welcome when snow is on the ground, though the topography of the trail makes skiing difficult. Please do not ski on the adjacent, private field. 

Starfish Point Trail connects to Middle Point Trail.   

Segments: 

0.0-0.1mi Trail crosses the main field on compacted grass. Generally level with a cross-slope of less than 2%. Mown path is at least 8’ wide.  Winter snow and spring thaw can create areas of ice and mud where the trail crosses drainages. 

0.1-0.25mi Trail enters the wooded peninsula, descending approximately 6’ of elevation to a 4’-wide, 10’-long tight-planked bridge over a drainage gully. The trail then ascends several root steps about 5’ to a hard-packed stone and dirt single-track trail; there are multiple locations where tree roots cross the trail. The trail travels south towards the end of the peninsula, descending to a bench with a view of the river.  The packed dirt trail then descends another 5-7’ to two granite steps. The narrowest portion of this segment is 4’ wide. 

Western Point Trail 

The Western Point Trail is a one-half mile trail that leads from Andy’s Trail on the middle field, across the farm pond dam to an expansive, rolling hayfield.  The trail elevation is variable, with many hills and drainages. Some segments of this trail are closed during bird nesting season.  The trail consists of three principal segments, each with varying conditions. During hay season, the trail is cut weekly with a brush hog, maintaining a mown grass (<4”) hard-packed 8’-wide corridor.    

There is no winter maintenance of the trail. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are welcome when snow is on the ground. 

Western Point Trail provides access to the Northwest Flats Access trail from Andy’s Trail. 

Segments

0.0 – 0.1 mi Trail follows a farm field road over the pond dam to the western field. Beyond an initial descent of 5’, it is generally level (<10’ total elevation gain), with a cross slope of less than 2%. This segment has few roots and is mostly compacted grass. No width constraints.   

0.1 – 0.2 mi Trail ascends 10’ into the west field, crossing the field to the west edge. The trail is compacted dirt and grass. As the field narrows, the trail hugs the western edge. This is the wettest portion of the trail and may be muddy for portions of early summer. Outside of bird nesting season, this is the junction for the returning leg of the trail.   

0.2 – 0.5 mi Trail continues down the peninsula, meandering from the field edge to rise in the field, and then on to the point. There is a bench at the point. No water access at this location.