Mount Blue State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Blue State Park |
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IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
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Webb Lake and Mount Blue
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 Mount Blue State Park
Location in Maine
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| Location | Weld, Franklin, Maine, United States |
| Area | 7,489 acres (30.31 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,214 ft (370 m) |
| Established | 1955 |
| Operator | Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry |
| Website | Mount Blue State Park |
Mount Blue State Park is an amazing outdoor area in Weld, Maine. It covers a huge space of about 7,489 acres. This park is special because it's split into two main parts. One part is on the west side of Webb Lake. The other part includes Mount Blue and other mountains east of the lake.
The park is also connected by road to the Tumbledown Public Lands. This area is even bigger, covering 10,555 acres. It includes cool spots like Little Jackson Mountain, Tumbledown Mountain, and Tumbledown Pond. Tumbledown Pond is a beautiful lake high up in the mountains. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry takes care of both the park and the public lands.
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Animals You Might See
Mount Blue State Park is home to many different animals. If you visit, you might spot some interesting mammals.
- You could see large moose walking through the woods.
- Small, quick squirrels are often busy gathering food.
- Graceful white-tailed deer might be seen grazing.
- Clever foxes and coyotes also live here.
- Sometimes, you might even catch a glimpse of a black bear.
How the Park Started
Mount Blue State Park has an interesting history. It became a state park in 1955.
Early Development
In the 1930s, a group called the Works Progress Administration (WPA) began working on the land. The WPA was a government program that helped people find jobs during a tough time. They built many things across the country, including parts of what would become this park.
Growing Bigger
The state of Maine officially took over the land in 1955. Years later, in 2002, the park got much bigger. Its size increased by 50% when Maine bought 2,468 more acres of land. This new land cost $980,000. The money came from different groups that wanted to protect Maine's natural spaces. The new land included a hill called Hedgehog Hill, which is 1,298 feet tall.
Fun Things to Do
Mount Blue State Park offers many activities for visitors all year round. There's something for everyone to enjoy!
- You can visit the nature center to learn more about the park.
- If you like camping, there are 136 campsites available.
- The park has a special area for swimming in the lake.
- You can go boating, whether you use a motor or not.
- Fishing is a popular activity in the park's waters.
- During certain times, hunting is also allowed.
Exploring the Trails
The park has a huge network of trails. These trails are perfect for many different outdoor adventures:
- Hiking is a great way to explore the park's beauty.
- You can also go horseback riding on some trails.
- In winter, the trails are used for cross-country skiing.
- Snowmobiling and ATV riding are also popular on designated trails.
The park is open every day of the year, so you can visit whenever you like!
