Green Point Preserve, West Bath
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| Photo by Alicia Heyburn |
The 45-acre Preserve is open free of charge
to the public from dawn to dusk. Help us
protect what you have come to enjoy.
Natural areas are delicate; foot traffic only,
no camping, fires, or motorized vehicles.
Please respect boundary signs. No hunting
due to proximity of homes. Dogs permitted
on leash. Please pick up after your pet and
remove all waste from the preserve.
Ecology of Green Point
The property is on the deep water shore
of Winnegance Bay at Green Point. The
wooded upland is primarily spruce-pine,
with hardwood dominated sections on the
southern point. A ridge runs north-south
along the center of the property and drops
off sharply to the east and west. There are
lovely rocky outcrops and views of Winnegance
Bay, down the New Meadows
River toward Cundy’s Harbor in Harpswell.
Access to the preserve is by deeded right
of way from Birch Point Road along an
old woods road. To the west of the trail is a
small stream that drains the trailside
wetland into Brigham’s Cove in
Winnegance Bay. Vernal Pools are present,
providing essential breeding ground for
fairy shrimp, wood frogs and salamanders.
At the head of Brigham’s Cove is the old
“Indian Carry Road” where the Native
Americans carried their boats across a
narrow strip of land to reach Winnegance
Creek, and the mighty Kennebec River
at Doubling Point. A current resident of
Brigham’s Cove remembers seeing Native
women come into Brigham’s Cove to
collect grasses for basket making.
Wildlife at the Preserve
Insects and plant material are the main
sources of food for the downy woodpecker.
Deciduous forests are their native habitats
and they take 1-3 weeks to build nests
in dead trees or dead parts of live trees.
The soft wood makes excavating easier.
The wild turkey is one of only two domesticated
birds originating in the New World.
They reside in hardwood forests and feed
on acorns, nuts, seeds and salamanders;
nesting in a depression of leaves on the
ground.
The red squirrel feeds on insects, seeds
and pine cones. They are most active in the
early morning and late afternoon and especially
enjoy drinking sap from maple trees.
White Tailed Deer are tan in the summer
and a gray-brown in the winter. They are
herbivores and are able to run up to 30
miles an hour. Fawns are redish at birth
(May) with white spots.
Goldthread is found at the preserve. This dainty evergreen plant of the buttercup family has bright gold threadlike roots. Native Americans had a ready supply of fresh goldthread available throughout the year for either chewing or making a tea. This strong bitter has been used for a variety of digestive disorders, worms, jaundice, and as a so-called blood purifier.
Property History
The Abenaki Indians lived, hunted, fished
and stewarded this region for many years
before white settlement.
1881 Julia, Mary, and Ellen Woodward sell land to John and Emma Campbell for $110.
The Woodwards were a farming family and
lived in Brunswick.
1958 Florence Campbell, daughter of John
and Emma, sells the land to Olive Boyd
Guild.
1960s After lengthy negotiation, Florence’s
sister sells her portion of land to Olive
Guild, doubling the property size.
1974 Eastham Guild inherits the land from
his mother, Olive B. Guild. Eastham was
married to Mary Newall, whose father was
the head of BIW from 1928-1950.
1985 Mr. Guild receives an assignable
right of way from Birch Point Road to the
property from his dear family friend, John
G. Morse, Jr.
December 4, 2004 Eastham Guild, Jr.
grants the property to the Land Trust.
Mr. Guild used his property as a place to
keep in touch with nature. It was his desire to keep the land undeveloped for the locals
to enjoy.
August 3, 2009 Opening ceremonies are held at the preserve with neighbors and the Guild family.
This carving in the rock at the point is a mystery. What do you think it means?
View the Green Point Preserve brochure with more information and trail maps.
Directions -
Take High Street south from Bath to Campbell Pond Road, after approx. 1.5 miles turn right onto Birch Point Road. A small parking area and kiosk is on the left after about 1 mile.
