Royal River Park — Attraction in Yarmouth

Aug. 22, 2020 . . . Discovered the Royal River Park in Yarmouth, Maine based on a friend's tip! It's a cute semi-historical park with a few perks for a relaxing picnic style day with family and/or friends. Easy to find off right #1 or I-295. Head toward rt. #115 or Main Street in Yarmouth, turn onto East Elm Street, look for a parking lot across from the Yarmouth Oral History Center. Or travel a little further on Main St. and turn onto School St. and park at school or tennis courts. Walk toward the woods, end of tennis courts to pick up gravel road to trail/sidewalk by the river. It's an asphlat sidewalk, about half mile long end to end.

What a nice place for a gathering of friends and family. Lots of open grass, trees for some shade, picnic tables, with several little paths toward the falls and river. There are some Park benches of a sturdy weather-proof construction donated by several families. I noticed one bench donated on behalf of an L.L. Bean founder. I only noticed one potortable potty, should be more, but only noticed ONE !

The park itself contains some fascinating relics or archaeological remains of a time over 200 years ago. You won't find much about the original inhabitants . . . Native American Wabanaki. English settlers moved into this area in 1674. After several failed attempts, a permanent settlement was established in 1715 near what was called the Westcustogo River ( by the Indians). This area is now called the Royal River, which included 4 water falls, ideal for generating water power. Yarmouth expanded in size and population to include grain mills, lumber, paper mills, iron foundries, later a shoe factory, poultry processing, and shipbuilding at the mouth of the river with a natural harbor. Yarmouth started with about 1,000 people in the early 1700's and remained at 2 to 3 thousand people until 1980's . . . Now over 8,000 people call Yarmouth their home.

Do pack up your lunch, drinks, and corn hole boards for an old fashioned picnic at Royal River Park.

Note: There is a small pavillion with 2 or 3 picnic tables available, and there's a brick 25 foot round stage area for some performances? I did notice electrical outlets for music...

Not far from downtown Freeport in the town of Yarmouth the Royal River Park is quiet with lots of picnic tables and benches and a path that follows along the Royal River for almost a mile. If you start at East Elm street the path passes three falls that are the remnants of the paper industry from the last century. Most evidence of the industrial activity is gone and the park is now enjoyed by old and young alike. The path is paved asphalt and for some it might be considered steep in places. It ends down by an old mill building which has been repurposed for small businesses. The round trip is about two miles. Lots of quiet places to sit along the river and when in season lots of blooming foliage. It's a nice place to walk away...

Nice, clean, fairly short paved walking/bike path alongside a river with waterfall and well manicured lawns, with picnic tables, within an old factory (pulp mill) grounds; plaques are located along the route explaining the history of the surroundings with a dam located at the end of the path where the old cotton mill building still stands, since converted, but well kept. Brisk walking & stopping to read the plaques, and admire the busywork of a beaver, the entire area was covered in an hour. Parking is at a school with playing fields and basketball court...