Like many parks throughout the country, Camden Hills State Park has long lacked the resources to keep infrastructure maintenance apace with use and natural degradation, which have accelerated due to COVID and climate change, respectively. But in the past few years under the leadership of Park Manager “Sunshine” Hood, and with money from both private donors and the American Rescue Plan Act, some big upgrades are happening:

The culvert replacement and re-paving of the Mt. Battie Auto Road in 2023 was one federally funded improvement. A wheelchair accessible path from the parking area to the bathrooms and the viewpoint at the base of the
summit tower will be another. The water system for the campground will be getting a major overhaul this year, as that had been deferred for years due to lack of funds. And of course, the trails are getting more attention.

The past two years saw Americorps crews rehabbing Nature and Megunticook Trails. And Trails Supervisor Erik Brooks returns for his second season this April, bringing his expertise in stonework and general trail maintenance to provide leadership to volunteers and ensure that trail structures throughout the park are properly maintained.

In 2023, Erik led volunteers in the rehabilitation of Tablelands Trail, moving hundreds of large rocks to build stairs, waterbars, turnpike, and stepping stones. He additionally led work to fix up a few priority areas of other trails including Ridge Trail and Maiden Cliff and has begun updating signage. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Erik at CamdenTrails@gmail.com. A major project this year will be relocating significant fall-line sections of Slope Trail, so this could be a great learning opportunity for those interested in durable trail design and construction.

Other means of support, including donation of old trail working tools that now sit idly in your shed, will be greatly appreciated.

And finally, Camden Hills State Park staff would like to acknowledge the great work that the nonprofit Lincolnville Hills Project is doing to restore the historic blueberry fields within the park for public benefit. To contribute to that effort or learn more contact Dwight_emerson@msn.com