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Howard Hill Conservation Area
Photo by Norm Rodrigue
Location and Description:
Location: Augusta, Maine
Property Description: Howard Hill, the wooded backdrop to the Maine State House, is a large and diverse natural area in the middle of Augusta. Its 164 acres includes a cascading stream, steep ravines, large boulders, an expansive ridgeline with sheer cliffs, and diverse wildlife habitat. The property is crisscrossed by an informal network of old carriage roads and woods roads that provide expansive views over the State House and the Kennebec River valley.
Usage and Directions
Allowable Uses: hiking, nature observation, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and bow hunting by permission only. No motorized vehicles.
Trails: Howard Hill Historic Park provides three miles of trails with various loops starting from several trailheads in Augusta and Hallowell. Stevens Commons/Effie L. Berry Conservation Area trailhead in Hallowell: 0.6 mile walk through the field and woods to the overlook. Sewall Street directly opposite Brooklawn Avenue: 0.8 mile walk uphill through the erosional gullies on the northeastern portion of Howard Hill to the overlook. Ganneston Drive: 0.4 mile walk up and over the top of Howard Hill to the overlook.
Directions: Stevens Commons/Effie L. Berry Conservation Area trailhead in Hallowell: Parking is available at the Stevens School Commons at the end of Coos Lane. Sewall Street directly opposite Brooklawn Avenue: Parking is available at the trailhead (3-4 spots) at the State House lots, and on side streets. Ganneston Drive: Travel to the end of Ganneston Drive, park alongside the road, please be respectful of neighboring driveways. In the future, the City is planning to provide facilities and parking via a driveway at the end of Ganneston Drive.
Howard Hill Trail Accessibility Initiative
2023 KLT interns Ethan Ross and Tucker Schulze completed a trail accessibility study at Howard Hill for their summer research project. Their research is the beginning of a multi-year project in partnership with the cities of Augusta and Hallowell to develop a universally accessible trail at Howard Hill.
Research Paper by Tucker Schulze and Ethan Ross
The video below was produced by Tim Long with KLT staff and interns, and Enock Glidden, Outdoor Accessibility Specialist.
If you’d like to support this project or receive more information through email updates, please sign up below or contact
Theresa Kerchner, KLT Executive Director at 207-377-2848 or tkerchner@tklt.org or
Ansley Sawyer, Augusta Conservation Commission, and Howard Hill Steward at howardhill.augusta@gmail.com
Rosemary Presnar, Hallowell Conservation Commission, and Effie. L Berry Conservation Area Steward, hallowellconservation@gmail.com
Watch the video:
History:
For Thousands of years, the Wabanaki have been using the Kennebec River and the woods around Howard Hill for water, transportation, a fishery, and for hunting.
Late 1700’s – Captain James Howard purchases land on the east side of the Kennebec River, including Fort Western. His brother, Samuel Howard, owns the southern part of Howard Hill.
1890s – William Howard Gannett and his wife, Sarah Neil Hill Gannett, reside on 500 acres with extensive gardens on “Betsy Howard Hill”.
1930-1969 – Howard Hill, also know as Gannett’s Woods and Ganeston Park, is designated as a state game preserve. This is the time period in which the memories shared here take place.
2009 – KLT, in partnership with the City of Augusta, begins actively pursuing conservation options for 164 acres on Howard Hill.
2015 - KLT purchases Howard Hill with support from members, business partners, and foundations. Partial funding was provided by the Land for Maine’s Future program.
2017- KLT transfers fee ownership of Howard Hill to the City of Augusta with a conservation easement held by KLT.
2018- The City of Augusta and KLT celebrate the dedication of Howard Hill with over 80 people in attendance.
