Aroostook State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aroostook State Park |
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 Aroostook State Park
Location in Maine
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| Location | Presque Isle, Aroostook, Maine, United States |
| Area | 898 acres (363 ha) |
| Elevation | 978 ft (298 m) |
| Established | 1938 |
| Operator | Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry |
| Website | Aroostook State Park |
Aroostook State Park is a fun place for outdoor activities in northern Maine, United States. It's located near the city of Presque Isle in Aroostook County. This park covers about 898 acres and includes a mountain called Quaggy Jo Mountain and a beautiful lake named Echo Lake. "Quaggy Jo" comes from a Native American name, "Qua Qua Jo," which means "twin-peaked" – pretty cool, right?
The park is found just off U.S. Route 1 on the south side of Presque Isle. There's another place with a similar name, the Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge, but that's about 30 miles north.
Park History
Aroostook State Park has a special history because it was the very first state park in Maine! It was created in 1938. The land for the park, about 100 acres, was a gift from local business people in Presque Isle. They were part of the Presque Isle Merchants Association.
Later, a group called the Works Progress Administration (WPA) helped build the park's first ski trails. The WPA was a government program that created jobs during a tough time in history. In 2009, the park got even bigger when 145.6 more acres were added, giving visitors even more space to explore.
Wildlife and Nature
Aroostook State Park is home to many different animals. While you might not always see big animals like black bears or moose, you're more likely to spot smaller, friendly creatures like foxes, squirrels, and chipmunks.
The park's forest has a mix of trees common in northern Maine. You can find different kinds of maple and birch trees. There are also ash, hophornbeam, quaking aspen, American beech, and balsam fir. Look up to see common birds like hawks, owls, and woodpeckers. If you like fishing, Brook trout live in Echo Lake.
Things to Do
Aroostook State Park offers many fun activities for visitors.
- You can stay overnight at the park's campground, which has 30 sites.
- There are trails for hiking, which are great for exploring the park's nature.
- In winter, these trails are perfect for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
- At Echo Lake, you can go swimming, fishing, or canoeing. It's a great spot to enjoy the water!
