READFIELD — A walk along Readfield’s newly developed “Esker Trail” will begin at 10 a., Friday, May 10, starting at 73 North Road, the Regional School Union 38 School Bus Transportation Service parking area.

The trail is one-third mile in length and follows part of the western boundary of Quimby Bog. Walkers can view the bog, see birds and wildlife and learn about the geology and history of the area, according to a news release from the Readfield Historical Society.

This portion of a map, created by the Readfield Trails Committee, shows the location of their new Esker Trail. Photo by Picasa

Co-leaders of this walk will be Dale Potter Clark, Readfield historian and author, and Andy Tolman, a retired hydro geologist who has worked for the Maine CDC Drinking Water Program and previously by the Maine Geological Survey, conducting aquifer mapping throughout the State of Maine. Potter-Clark and Tolman will share insights into the historical and geological aspects of the area and will share reading material.

Quimby Bog extends two miles from Readfield Depot Village northward to Rat Mill Hill Road in East Mount Vernon. It was named after Dr. Samuel Quimby of Mount Vernon, because he owned a shingle mill and a saw mill on the outlet stream for 30 years, at the north end of the bog.

In the 1930s the Readfield town dump was established over an aquifer near the southwest side of the bog. In later years the Readfield Transfer Station took its place.

No fee or registration is required.

For more information, email crossings4u@gmail.com, call 441-9184 or visit readfieldhistorywalks.blogspot.com.