Management Plan - National Estuarine Research Reserve System

Figure VIII.2. An artist at work by the Barrier Beach Trail, overlooking the Little River salt marsh.Management Advisory Committee has determinedthat the Reserve could accommodate more visitorswithout negatively impacting natural resources ordetracting from the site’s quietness. The followingschedule was effective in 2007:Trail HoursEvery day, 7 a.m. to sunsetVisitor Center and Ecology Center Exhibit HoursJan 16 to Apr 30: Mon-Fri 10-4May 1 to Oct 31: Mon-Sat 10-4, Sun 12-4Nov 1 to Dec 15: Mon-Fri 10-4Dec 16 to Jan 15: ClosedFeesParking/admission fees are in effect on weekendsfrom May to October and daily in July and August.Fees are $1 for ages 6 to 16 and $2 for those over 16.Members of Laudholm Trust enjoy free admission(except for special events) and program discounts.Points of Access to the ReserveWells Reserve is readily accessible via majorroadways. It is minutes from the Maine Turnpike(Interstate 95), U.S. Route 1, and State Route 9.Maine Department of Transportation location signsare posted on U.S. Route 1 at Laudholm Farm Roadand State Route 9 at Skinner Mill Road. By car, theReserve is about 90 minutes from Boston and 30minutes from Portland, Maine. The Reserve is lessthan 10 minutes from the Wells train station.The Wells Reserve has three vehicle access points:an access road and parking area off Skinner MillRoad, a service entrance at the end of LaudholmFarm Road, and a limited parking area alongLaudholm Farm Road.The main access road ends in a paved 75-car parkinglot within view of the campus. This is the mostappropriate and most commonly used public entryto the Reserve. The oval lot includes bus parkingand three spaces marked for disabled visitors. AnManagement Plan: Public Access63