Mt. Pisgah Conservation Area Temporarily Closed

Last Updated: April 30, 2020 - 7:52pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 30, 2020

Contacts: Sarah Fuller, Chair, Winthrop Town Council, 207.446.6462; sarah@fullerink.com; Jeffrey Kobrock, Town Manager; 207.377.7200 ext 423; manager@winthropmaine.org

Mt. Pisgah Conservation Area Temporarily Closed

WINTHROP, Maine – The Mt. Pisgah Conservation Area, a popular hiking destination managed by the Town of Winthrop and The Kennebec Land Trust will be closed to the public beginning Friday, May 1, 2020. Despite signs requesting hikers use other recreational properties if the parking lot was full to ensure uncrowded trails and safe parking and road conditions, vehicles have been overflowing the lot and creating safety issues along the roadway.

The town, in conjunction with staff at the Land Trust, have attempted several tactics to keep the property open. Recent roadside parking bans designed to limit the number of people on the property at one time and maintain road safety were unsuccessful with people continuing to park along the road and on the private property of local residents, and created difficulty for service vehicles trying to access private homes along the road.  

“This is an unfortunate change as we recognize that people need places to get outside, but given the repeated flouting of parking and regulations designed to keep the number of people limited for physical distancing, trails safe, and the roadway uncongested, it’s a step we must take,” noted Sarah Fuller, Chair of the Winthrop Town Council. She added, “As conditions warrant, we will re-evaluate the situation and hopefully will be able to open Mt. Pisgah to visitors again soon.”

The area will be regularly patrolled by Winthrop Police and violators will be subject the Governor’s orders under against the Safer-at-Home regulations and may be fined.

The Kennebec Land Trust has been working with the Town to expand the existing parking lot at the Mt. Pisgah property but resources are still being collected and plans finalized to add several additional spaces. “More off-road parking would be welcome, and likely adequate under usual circumstances, but the number of cars we are getting along the roadway far exceeds even that potential capacity. Having people and cars lining the roadway is an accident in the making,” commented Winthrop Police Chief Ryan Frost.

Winthrop’s Emergency Management Agency will be examining the Town’s additional recreational facilities and what options are available as certain restrictions for public access and gatherings are adjusted based on the phased plan Governor Mills announced earlier this week.

For additional Winthrop notices:

As a reminder: people can sign-up to receive updates on the new town website under the section marked “Winthrop Alerts.” This new email notification system will provide updates as they are available, as well as on the Town’s Facebook page and those of the emergency departments (EMS/Ambulance, Police, Fire).

Questions for school-related activities and polices should be directed to Superintendent Dr. Cornelia Brown: 377-2296 x2001.

Questions for municipal-related activities should be directed to Town Manager Jeffrey Kobrock, 207.377.7200 ext 423.