Ownership
Cape Elizabeth Land Trust (CELT)
Location
At the headwaters of Pollack Creek, south of the town’s property at Gull Crest and across the street from the Town Farm property. Get directions to Runaway Farm here.
Access
The northern entrance to Runaway Farm is most easily accessed from the public parking lots at Gull Crest. From the parking area closest to Spurwink Avenue, the trail on the north side of the field wraps around to the right and connects to the Runaway Farm trail network. There are also entrances from behind the scoreboard on the playing fields, and in the southeast corner of the Gull Crest open space land by the wooden post and rail fence.
The southern entrance is marked with land trust signs and located between two driveways on the south side of Spurwink Avenue, approximately 500 feet from Route 77. Parking on Spurwink Avenue is allowed unless otherwise noted.
Description/History
This 50-acre property contains a trail on the northern side of the property loop through upland forest along the edge of Gull Crest fields, then heads south through open fields and meadows and into an older section of upland forest. Signs of the endangered New England Cottontail rabbit have been found in the upland forest and meadow areas. (See this Storymap published in 2024 by a Cape Elizabeth student to learn more.)
Tall pines and rolling terrain continue down to the edges of the Pollock Brook headwater wetlands to the east side, and to Pollock Creek on the south side. The trail crosses a bridge to enter the southern part of the property, and winds through the mossy hummocks and hollows of a forested wetland. These cool, moist woods are home to many wildflowers and ferns amongst mixed conifer-hardwood forest. The boardwalks onsite were built by Eagle Scouts, Cape High School senior students, and volunteers. See this Self-Guided Walk 2021 Guide for information about the northern half, Runaway Farm II, protected since 2018.
Rules
Please cherish and help care for this natural preserve. Limit trail use to daytime hours only. Carry out all waste and stay on marked trails.
Please, no:
- foraging
- commercial use of property
- motorized vehicles
- fires and camping
- alcoholic beverages and illegal substances
*Notice for Dog Owners
Due to the presence of New England cottontail on this preserve, dogs must be kept on-leash. Please remove all dog waste. Please keep dogs out of sensitive habitat areas. No commercial dog walking at any time. Reminder: Maine Law requires dog license and rabies tag on collar at all times.
Date Protected
1988, 2018
