Hollis Conservation Commission
Indian Cellar Preserve
About five years ago, this 54-acre parcel came before the Hollis Planning Board as a 12-unit subdivision. A group of a dozen or so citizens from Buxton and Hollis formed a fundraising committee and raised enough money to purchase the entire package from the developer. Large sums were received from the Land for Maine's Future program, the town of Hollis and Poland Springs. Hundreds of others contributed very generously. Most remarkably, Rodney Littlefield donated an adjoining 23-acre lot to the project. This act of generosity was a catalyst for widespread support from the community. The project would not have been possible without guidance from the able folk at The Trust for Public Land. The Town of Hollis gained possession of the parcel in march of 2009; none of the land can be sold without an act of the Maine legislature.
This beautiful spot abuts the Saco River; there are 8 numbered trails on the 81-acre preserve (marked with blue blazes) as well as several picnic tables. Maps are available on site and there is ample parking. The rules have been kept to a minimum: No fires, motors or camping, trash is "carry in, carry out" and private landowners rights must be respected.
Googins Woods
Nancy Googins Knights gave an 11-acre parcel on Pleasant Hill to Holllis in 2008. She had been on the Hollis Conservation Commission when she lived in the town, which prompted the most generous offering. It was to become the first nature park developed and managed by our Conservation Commission. Some work was started in 2008-2009, but it was interrupted by the much larger Indian Cellar project at Salmon Falls. During this time, Nancy's sister Beth gifted a separate, adjacent 19-acre parcel of her own to the town. The combined 30-acres became a nature preserve in 2012. There are two miles of trails marked with blue blazes, as well as benches and picnic tables.
No fires, motors or camping, trash is "carry in, carry out" and private landowners rights must be respected. Come discover this lovely spot to experience nature, walk the dog, have a picnic or seek peace and quiet.
Parking for about three vehicles is available at the entrance on Pleasant Hill road. To find the entrance look for the small clearing on the right shortly after the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. Although the trails exit at the Cape Road at two places, these are not park
entrances due to heavy traffic on this busy truck route. This area was completely burned over in the great fire of 1947,but the recovery and re-growth has been spectacular. There has been no wood harvesting of any kind on
the parcel. The headwaters of Crockett brook crosses the north-west corner of the park and is really a nice feature. There are two foot-bridge crossings on trails one and three. There are several massive stone walls in the park from the era when this property was cleared
for agriculture.
There are a few cautions that need mention. The park is open to hunting in
November, except for Sundays. There is a lot of poison Ivy near the entrance , but not beyond this area,in the deeper portions of the park. There are wood ticks in the area, so check for these pests after a visit.
