Opposite Brunswick: Across The Androscoggin River

The Androscoggin River separates the towns of Brunswick and Topsham, Maine. The river flows south from New Hampshire, eventually emptying into the Gulf of Maine. The Androscoggin is a popular fishing destination, with salmon and trout in its upper sections, and smallmouth bass and northern pike in its lower sections. The Androscoggin River was once heavily polluted by textile and paper mills, but environmental work has improved water quality in recent years. Today, the river provides important habitats for wildlife, including bald eagles and great blue herons, and offers recreational boating and fishing opportunities.

Androscoggin River Bicycle Path

The Androscoggin River Bicycle Path is a 2.6-mile paved path for pedestrians and cyclists that runs alongside the Androscoggin River in Brunswick, Maine. The path is 14 feet wide and offers scenic views of the river, connecting in-town Brunswick with the Cook's Corner area. It is open 24 hours a day, all year round, and is suitable for a range of activities, including walking, jogging, rollerblading, and dog walking.

Location and Access Points

The Androscoggin River Bicycle Path is located north of Route One and can be accessed from three main entry points:

• In-town Brunswick: The entrance is located at the east end of Water Street, just past the Water Street Boat Landing. This entrance also has a parking area, which is open half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset.
• Cook's Corner, Brunswick: To reach this entrance, drive northeast and take the first left from Old Bath Road after crossing over U.S. Route 1. The entrance is at the end of Grover Lane.
• Topsham: The path can also be accessed from Topsham via the Merrymeeting Bridge, with an entry point on Elm Street.

Features and Amenities

The Androscoggin River Bicycle Path offers a range of amenities for users:

• Granite and wooden benches are located at various points along the path, providing resting spots and viewpoints.
• Privies are located approximately half a mile from each end of the path.
• Emergency phones are available at three locations: the parking lot at Water Street, the midway point, and alongside the path 200 feet from the Grover Lane entrance.
• Dog waste cleanup bag dispensers and receptacles are available for dog owners.
• A soccer field is located near the Water Street entrance.
• The Merrymeeting Dog Park is located along the path, providing a dedicated space for dogs to play and exercise.

User Reviews

The Androscoggin River Bicycle Path has received positive reviews from users, who praise its accessibility, scenic views, and suitability for various activities:

> "This is the second time I go bike riding in 20 years and this path was so nice and easy. Beautiful little views. Beautiful little picnic areas. I saw all ages on the path [...] either bike riding, scootering, walking, or jogging."

> "Nice Bike Ride [...] This was a cute little path to ride. I’m just getting back into bike riding after like 20 years [...] There were a couple of slight inclines that weren’t bad at all."

However, some users have noted that the path closely follows US Route 1, resulting in significant road noise that may detract from the experience.

Androscoggin Brunswick-Topsham Riverwalk

The Androscoggin Brunswick-Topsham Riverwalk is a 1.25-mile recreational loop linking the Frank J. Wood Bridge to the historic Androscoggin Swinging Bridge along the Androscoggin River, which separates Brunswick and Topsham in Maine. The riverwalk offers scenic views of the Bowdoin Mill and the Androscoggin River, with a quieter path through the woods along the Topsham bank. The highlight of the trail is its two bridges: a swinging pedestrian suspension bridge that spans the river upstream, and a back road bridge downriver that provides views of the river as it flows across the dam.

The Androscoggin Riverwalk is a popular walking and hiking trail, with paved sidewalks and dirt paths, that is well-maintained and accessible for pedestrians with strollers and wheelchairs. It also offers a dog park, soccer fields, and climbing trees for children. The river itself has been significantly cleaned up and now provides an important habitat for wildlife, including bald eagle and great blue heron nesting sites, as well as great recreational boating and fishing opportunities.

The Androscoggin Swinging Bridge, built in 1892, connects the residents of Topsham to the mills of Brunswick and offers a dramatic view of the river. The riverwalk also passes by Fort Andross, a unique mill complex on the banks of the Androscoggin that is now home to artists, restaurants, a winter farmers market, an indoor flea market, and an antique mall.

The Androscoggin River is one of the largest rivers flowing into Merrymeeting Bay. It flows south from Umbabog Lake to Gorham, New Hampshire, then east to Jay, Maine, and finally south again to the Atlantic Ocean. The river is known for its fishing, hunting, and boating facilities, with fishermen flocking to the river for its salmon, trout, northern pike, and smallmouth bass. The river also provides stunning views of the surrounding nature, including the White Mountains and the Mahoosucs.

Androscoggin Riverlands State Park

The park offers a range of trails for hikers of all skill levels, from easy to advanced. The Old River Road, Deer Path, and Ridge Trail Loop is a popular choice, offering a 4.0-star rating from 169 reviews on AllTrails.com. This trail is 6.2 miles long with an elevation gain of 682 feet and takes approximately 2 hours and 29 minutes to hike. Other notable trails include the Old River Road, Porcupine, and Homestead Trail Loop, which is a figure-eight-shaped route that links three trails within the park, and the Old River Road Trail, which is the longest trail in the park at 17.8 miles.

The Androscoggin Riverlands State Park is located near Turner, Maine, and can be accessed by car or boat. To get to the park by car, take Route 117 east from Turner for about 2 miles, turning right at a fork onto Center Bridge Road just before a 4-way intersection. Continue straight onto Center Bridge Road for another 2 miles, and you will find the State Park's main entrance on the right. There is also a small 4-6 car lot for non-motorized access located off Conant Road on the south end of the park.

The Androscoggin Riverlands State Park is open all year, from 9:00 a.m. to sunset daily. However, between the end of the snowmobile season and May 15, the park is gated and only accessible for foot traffic unless otherwise posted. The ATV riding season typically runs from May 15 to December 15.

Androscoggin Swinging Bridge

The Androscoggin Swinging Bridge, also known simply as the Swinging Bridge, is a pedestrian suspension bridge that crosses the Androscoggin River in Maine. The bridge connects the towns of Topsham in Sagadahoc County and Brunswick in Cumberland County.

History

The Androscoggin Swinging Bridge was built in 1892 to allow workers to safely and easily commute to the Cabot Manufacturing Company cotton mill in Brunswick. The mill was located on the other side of the river from the new housing development, Topsham Heights in Topsham, where many of the workers lived. Topsham Heights was predominantly inhabited by Franco-Americans who had been recruited from Canada to work in the mills.

The bridge was designed and built by the Roebling Co., the same company that built the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. The bridge was originally constructed with wooden towers, which were replaced with steel in 1915.

Damage and Repairs

In 1936, the Androscoggin Swinging Bridge was severely damaged by a freshet. Ice and logs from the river crashed into the bridge, destroying its superstructure but leaving the steel towers and suspension cables intact. The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) replaced the damaged span and reinforced the towers with concrete in 1938.

In 2000, a study found that the bridge was damaged in several locations, including the concrete abutments and wooden planks, and that many metal parts were rusted. Reconstruction efforts began in 2006, with funding secured from the Maine Department of Transportation and corporate grants. The bridge was reopened to pedestrian traffic in December 2006, and public parks on both sides of the bridge were opened in 2007.

Visitor Information

The Androscoggin Swinging Bridge is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is considered a Maine Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. Visitors can access the bridge from the Brunswick side by heading east on US Highway 1/Pleasant St. for about 1.5 miles, then turning left onto US Highway 1/Mill St. The bridge will be on the left after about a quarter of a mile, with a small parking lot and a sign.

Androscoggin River Conservation Properties

The Androscoggin River, which separates Brunswick and Topsham, was once one of the most polluted rivers in the US due to waste discharges from textile and paper mills. However, it has since been renewed and is now a popular destination for fishing and boating. The river provides important habitats for wildlife, including bald eagle and great blue heron nesting sites.

There are several Androscoggin River Conservation Properties:

• 250th Park is a small public park on Maine Street in Brunswick, across from Fort Andross.
• Androscoggin Woods is a 58-acre parcel that protects 10,000 feet of the river frontage.
• The Coombs property is a 24-acre fee-owned property on River Road in Brunswick.
• Cow Island is a 58-acre island in the Androscoggin River, owned by the Land Trust.
• Simpson Farm is a 36-acre easement property of meadows, mixed forest, and stream floodplain on River Road in Brunswick.
• The Smart Property is a 3.2-acre property on the banks of the river in Topsham. It has been the home of the Town Landing Trail since 2016 and is now permanently protected.

In addition to these properties, the Androscoggin Land Trust conserves several other areas along the river, including:

• French Falls Recreation Area in Jay, Maine.
• Purinton Homestead Conservation Area, an undeveloped rural agrarian and forest preserve in West Bowdoin.
• Ackerman Island Preserve, a 4-acre island in the Androscoggin River, donated by the Town of Lisbon.
• Katherine Breton Memorial Preserve, a 102-acre conservation area in Lisbon, donated by Katherine "Katie" Breton.
• Sherwood Forest Conservation Area, a 28-acre forest and fields area adjacent to Sherwood Heights School, with an additional 50 acres owned by the City of Auburn.
• Huston Farm Conservation Area, a 90-acre conservation area within urban New Auburn, with 27 acres owned by the Land Trust and 62 acres under a conservation easement.
• David Rancourt River Preserve, a 14-acre preserve in Lewiston, purchased with Land for Maine's Future water access funds.
• Jones-Bonney Turner Village Park, a 5-acre park along Route 4 and the Nezinscot River, donated by the Bonney family.
• Jersey Bog Conservation Area, a 600-acre wetland complex that drains into the Nezinscot River and then into the Androscoggin River.
• Stevens Island Rivershore Preserve, a 232-acre property containing important floodplain and upland forest habitat along the river.
• Spruce Mountain Conservation Area, a 143.6-acre property in Jay, overlooking the former French Falls in the Androscoggin River.
• Seven Mile Stream Preserve, a 42-acre property of forested and semi-forested wetlands with significant wildlife benefits.

Frequently asked questions