SUN JOURNAL • December 22, 2025
The old Central Fire Station at 151 Congress St. is being leased to Inland Woods + Trails as a home base for recreation, according to Executive Director Gabe Perkins. The Select Board voted Dec. 17 to lease the historic 1924 building to the trail conservation group for three years. This will be a central location for office space, equipment storage, information center as well as a gear library. For contractors coming to do trail work or a state crew they’re thinking about bringing in to help elevate Maine’s outdoor recreation, the building can also serve as a place to sleep at night. Founded in 2011, Inland Woods + Trails serves communities in Western Maine through the management of high quality, durable trails and woods for all seasons. It owns 1,956 acres of community forest land in both Bethel and Rumford and maintains over 85 miles of trails in five towns throughout Oxford County.