RUMFORD, Maine — Residents of Rumford say they would have to drive 30 minutes to an hour to find trails to enjoy. Now a network of paths is in their backyard.

The Rumford Community Forest spans 446 acres and features an accessible trail, a brook full of native trout and paths for beginning mountain bikers.

The wooded parcel was not always destined for public access, according to Rich Calhoun, a local developer and environmental science teacher. He says instead, the land was slated to be sold and divided into single-family plots.

“But instead of clear cutting this and doing housing up here, we've maintained the water quality for the fishing downstream,” Calhoun said. He noted the Scott Brook Fish Passage is home to native Maine brook trout and hopes the population entices fly fishermen

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