Pettengill Park Trails
Discover the trails behind Ingersoll Turf Facility
Auburn has an abundance of space for outdoor recreation within its city limits. Pettengill Park is known for its Parks and Recreation Department facilities including Ingersoll Arena, but is less known for the trails behind the building complex.
A system of trails extends into the woods behind the Ingersoll Turf Facility at 48 Pettengill Park Road in Auburn. These woods offer beautiful scenery and terrain for an enjoyable walk or run just minutes from downtown.
The Pettengill Park Trail enters the woods around the north side of Ingersoll Arena where a kiosk stands. The main loop is marked with white blazes and is ¾ of a mile. A short cut-off trail divides the loop in half, as shown in green on the map.
Kiosk at Trailhead
White blazes mark the main loop
Twisting through gullies and over streams, the Pettengill Park trails offers beautiful scenery and varying terrain. Bridges are constructed at all stream crossings allowing for ease of passage. The trails are functional in both winter and summer and can be used by walkers, snowshoers and runners alike.
Photo credit: Tucker Pierce
Members of the Canopy
The heavy wooded plot of land has a wide variety of tree species. With no signs of logging, many of the trees are tremendous in size and could be near 100 years old.
Geology
The geologic formations of the region are unique. As glaciers receded into the ocean after the last ice age 11,700 years ago, they deposited sediments in their wake. In the case of Pettengill Park, the soil is made up of brown and gray sand from these glacial deposits. This soil chemistry may have deterred farmers from using the land due to its lack of nutrients, however it did not restrict trees from growing.
Photo credit: Tucker Pierce
Signs of Wildlife
Photo credit: Tucker Pierce
Many different birds populate these woods, and can be seen throughout the year darting from tree to tree. In just one walk around the trails one might see pileated woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, among other species, as well as the signs they might leave.
Many four legged creatures also call these woods home, leaving their tracks in the snow and mud. White-tailed deer, red foxes, snowshoe hares, chipmunks and red/grey squirrels populate the woods of the area. Depending on the season, various other species common to the area may show themselves or signs or their presence as well.
Community Resources and Additional Information
Pettengill Park is a beautiful outdoor space available to the community. People are encouraged to use these maintained trails during any season! The woods trails are an excellent place for a socially distanced walk, a walk with your dog, an adventure with children, or a morning bird watching expedition.
Free snowshoe rentals are available through the City or Auburn Parks and Recreation department by phone or email. For more information visit https://www.auburnmaine.gov/Postings/Blogs/Detail/FREE-Snowshoe-Rentals
For more information on the trails and wildlife in the area visit the Auburn Conservation Commission webpage or the Community Forest Subcommittee webpage for contact information.
Recent community walk through Pettengill Park with Conservation Commission and Community Forest Subcommittee leaders Sam Boss and Dave Griswald for Auburn's Winter Fest (Photo Credit: Sam Boss)
