Waterhouse Brook Trail
The land in Waterhouse Park is jointly owned by the Town of Poland and Pine grove Cemetery Corporation and although the process of developing trails has been ongoing for several years, it has only become a priority in the last 2 years. The entire trail, including two short side trails, is approximately 9200 feet long (1.7 miles). The trail winds through various types of forested habitats and includes views of the brook as it flows through a large meadow area. This meadow provides vital open areas for many different species of wildlife.
The park is bisected by Waterhouse Brook which originates in the Bragdon Hill Conservation Area (which contains another of our trail systems). Waterhouse Brook drains upper, middle and Lower Range Ponds and flows over the dam near the firehouse before continuing northerly into the Little Androscoggin River at Mechanic Falls. This brook was formerly the water source for the Town of Mechanic Falls before the aquifer on Winter Brook was developed.
Just north of the old Poland Corner Road, a short trail leads to a scenic vista of Waterhouse Brook and its surrounding meadow. A 6 inch White oak tree is found on this trail which is uncommon for this site.White oaks are usually found on the hills and occur only in small areas in Maine. White Oak Hill is the only White Oak Hill in Maine. This White oak probably sprouted from an acorn transported from the surrounding hills by a Blue-jay. The waterfall at the dam can be seen and heard when the flow is high. Directly across the brook you will see an abandoned beaver lodge from the last time that beaver called this area home.
A portion of the trail passes through a stand of White pine, Pitch pine and Red pine on lands owned by the Poland Community School and Pine Grove Cemetery Corporation. This 30+ acre grove is interesting since it is made up of all three of Maines native pine species. The school property, which was conveyed by Joseph Cook to Poland District in 1953, was formerly the site of Poland Creamery which furnished butter to Poland Spring n Hotel and other hotels in the area.