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The Ted Wells Memorial Trail

This trail leads through a forest of white pines, red maples and cinnamon ferns, transitions through an area of mixed shrubs and pitch pines, and ends at a platform with bench overlooking the salt marsh at Goosefare Brook.

Click to enlarge Length (roundtrip): 0.5 mile. Directions to trailhead: From downtown Saco, go north on Rt 1 and then right on Ocean Park Road (Route 5). Pass through the ÒHalfway IntersectionÓ in Old Orchard Beach and continue on Temple Avenue toward Ocean Park. Cross the RR tracks. Right on Royal and drive to the end where you'll find parking. Walk to the right of Oceanwood's main building that is directly in front of you and look for the swimming pool. The trailhead kiosk is to the left of the pool at the edge of the woods. Please sign-in and take a Trail Guide. Estimated walking time: 45 minutes.

This trail is one of many blazed by the late Ted Wells, a longtime resident of Ocean Park. He was an extraordinary naturalist, teacher and musician who saw the importance of the salt marsh ecosystem and worked to preserve it. Ted named this trail the White Dot Trail for the manner in which it was marked. When Saco Bay Trails rebuilt this trail in 2002-04 it was renamed in Ted's honor.

Take a Trail Guide from the sign-in box and begin walking the trail. Try to find the plants pictured in the Trail Guide, and read why this upland area is important to the salt marsh ecosystem. Look for Arbor Tags identifying red maple, Eastern hemlock, witch-hazel and white pine trees.

At the edge of the woods, the trail moves onto a 350-foot wooden boardwalk. Notice how the vegetation changes as you move through this transitional area and get closer to the salt marsh. The trail terminates in a raised observation platform from which you can enjoy spectacular views of the marsh. While on the platform, examine the educational sign that identifies the different birds that may be seen.

You may return along the same path.

Saco Bay Trails is grateful to the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge and Oceanwood for granting permission for the trail. We also received financial assistance from the Ocean Park Association, the Educational Bureau of Ocean Park, the Ocean Park Conservation Society, the Pines and many residents of Ocean Park who donated generously for this project. Support also came from Saco & Biddeford Savings and the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce, and we received grants from the New England Grassroots Environment Fund and the Maine Community Foundation.

A grant from the National Recreational Trails Fund and the Maine Department of Conservation, Bureau of Parks and Lands financed this trail's Trail Guide, tree and wading bird identification signs.

Students from the University of New England and Work Opportunities Unlimited helped with the rebuilding of this trail.