A 124‑acre property along the Sandy River in the Franklin County town of Strong has been conserved by the High Peaks Alliance.
Walrath Woods is the community’s first conserved land, safeguarding public access to the longest continuous stretch of the Sandy River. The property includes a mix of riverfront, farmland and forest, and reflects decades of stewardship by Doug and Sherry Walrath, the alliance said.
The Sandy River, which flows into the Kennebec River, plays an important role in Atlantic salmon recovery in Maine. It is part of one of the few remaining watersheds where naturally spawning Atlantic salmon still return and contains some of the highest-quality habitat for the species in the nation.
A formal public trail, to be named in honor of the late Sherry Walrath (1937-2025), will open following corridor cleanup and trail work.
The town of Strong has a population just over 1,100.
“Walrath Woods is a milestone for Strong,” said Brent West, High Tide Alliance’s executive director. “It’s the town’s first public trail, and 1.7 miles of riverfront are now conserved for the community for generations.”
“I’m delighted that, thanks to the stewardship of High Peaks Alliance, the wonderful shoreland and trail along the Sandy River that Sherry and I and our family enjoyed for many years will now be available for others to enjoy for years to come,” Doug Walrath said.
The High Peaks Alliance was founded in 2007 to ensure continuing public access to Maine’s High Peaks region, home to 10 mountain peaks over 4,000 feet as well as working forests, wildlife habitats and fast-flowing streams.
