ADVERTISER DEMOCRAT • October 24, 2025
Residents of Jay, Livermore, Livermore Fall and Farmington have no shortage of local trails. Each path offers a way to explore Maine’s outdoors without leaving town limits. For me, it began on the Whistle Stop Trail, a long stretch of packed gravel where trains once ran between Farmington and Jay, now paralleling the rail line that still rumbles with freight trains. Families, cyclists and runners share the trail year-round, with broad views of the Androscoggin River and shaded sections through forest and field. It’s not unusual to see deer crossing the path or to hear songbirds in the trees along the way, reminders of how much wildlife thrives close to town. These local trails are maintained through partnerships among town recreation committees, the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, and conservation groups such as the Kennebec Land Trust. ~ Rebecca Richard