A Photo Tour of the Androscoggin Riverwalk

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Across the Androscoggin Swinging Bridge

Although there are many points to access the Riverwalk (click here for map), this tour starts at the Brunswick end of the historic Androscoggin Swinging Bridge, designed and built in 1892 by John A. Roebling’s Sons, soon after they built New York’s Brooklyn Bridge. 

The bridge was constructed to bring residents from the Topsham Heights neighborhood to the Brunswick for work in the mills, school, shopping and church.  It was rehabilitated in 2006 with funding from the Maine Department of Transportation and generous support from the Topsham-Brunswick community.

Brunswick end of the Swinging Bridge

The river & Brunswick from the Topsham end of the Swinging Bridge

The parks and parking lots at either end were created shortly thereafter in 2007 with privately-raised funds and the support of the Towns of Brunswick and Topsham.

At the intersection of Cushing and Mill Streets in Brunswick, a flashing pedestrian traffic light was installed in October 2012 to provide safer pedestrian access from the NorthWest Brunswick neighborhood to the Androscoggin Swinging Bridge.

Crosswalk at Mill & Cushing Streets

The railroad "Black" bridge

Walking from Brunswick to Topsham

Looking downstream toward Cabot Mill

From the Swinging Bridge there are stunning river views in all seasons, looking toward the railroad bridge (“Black Bridge”) upstream  and Cabot Mill at Fort Andross, the hydro-electric dam, and the Frank J. Wood Bridge downstream.

Enjoying a Fall day overlooking the river to Brunswick

Historic Topsham Heights as seen from the park at tthe end of the Swinging Bridge

The park at the Topsham of the Swinging Bridge includes benches for quiet contemplation and and information about the history of the adjacent Topsham Heights neighborhood.

After crossing the park and parking lot on the Topsham end of the Swinging Bridge, the Mill Road section of the Riverwalk, completed in October 2012, begins. Funding was through a Maine Department of Transportation Quality Community Program grant, augmented by local matching funds from the Fore Street Foundation and other private sources.

Through the Topsham Woods (completed October 2012)

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The Riverwalk is open in all seasons. The path, which follows the Mill Road “paper street” found only on maps, is paved to provide access for wheelchairs, strollers and bicycles in all seasons.

​Dogs under control on leashes are welcome.  Trash receptacles with dispensers for dog waste plastic bags can be found in the park by the Topsham end of the Swinging Bridge and near the intersection of the path with Summer Street.

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Stunning views from
the Topsham path
in all seasons.

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Wildlife abounds.

Summer Street in Topsham
(completed in October 2012)

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The Riverwalk emerges from the woods onto Topsham's Summer Street.  Informational signage on Summer Street illuminates the history of Androscoggin river.

The Riverwalk continues on Summer Street where the extended sidewalk provides a safe route down toward Topsham’s Lower Village.

From Summer Street, there are views of Cabot Mill at Fort Andross across the river and the hydro-electric dam.

Cabot Mill from Summer Street

Giant stones behind dam's gates

The Riverwalk passes through a residential neighborhood in Lower Topsham where a resident's labyrinth and garden with prayers for the earth provide a spot for contemplation

The Riverwalk currently follows the Summer Street sidewalk around the Priority Group Business Center to Main Street and the onto the Frank J. Wood Bridge over the Androscoggin River. ​

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Planning is underway for a park overlooking the Androscoggin River and the falls on the grounds of the Priority Business Center. ​

Priority Group property overlooking the river

Concept design by Anthony Muench, Landscape Architect

Across the Frank J. Wood Bridge

A heron waits patiently for a meal

Homes on Summer Street in Topham

Pejepscot Mill with ice fishing shacks in the distance

Crossing the bridge to Brunswick, there are views of the Androscoggin river and the historic development on both banks including Pejepscot Mill in Topsham and Cabot Mill at Fort Andross in Brunswick. ​

A fishway, or fish "ladder," (with a viewing station open to the public in season) guides fish over the hydro-electric dam on their trip upstream to spawn.

Fort Andross Area in Brunswick

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The Maine Department of Transportation, in connection with its planning for the bridge connecting Main Street Topsham to Maine Street Brunswick, is studying the areas adjacent to the bridge to improve traffic flow and safety for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as vehicles. The Maine Street sidewalk alongside Cabot Mill in Brunswick is in the study area. 

The Maine Department of Transportation, in conjunction with Brunswick officials and the Riverwalk Advisory Committee, also is investigating the best route for the Riverwalk past the Cabot Mill at Fort Andross and along Mill Street to the Androscoggin Swinging Bridge to complete the Riverwalk loop.

One of the alternatives under considerations is a plan developed for the Riverwalk Advisory Committee by Landscape Architect Anthony Muench that would improve Cabot Street for pedestrians and cyclists; continue the Riverwalk along Bow Street past the historic apartment house; protect pedestrians from vehicular traffic along busy Mill Street; and create overlooks on a widened Mills Street sidewalk.

Cabot Street at Maine Street

Cabot Street concept design

Pedestrians on Cabot Street

Banners on Cabot Street

Cyclist on Cabot Street

Concept Design by Anthony Muench, Landscape Architect

Bow & Mill Streets in Brunswick

From Cabot Street, the concept plan has the Riverwalk briefly following Bow Street before joining Mill Street.

Bow Street

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Junction of Bow & Mill Sreets

Mill Street

Bow Street at Mill Street

Pedestrian and cyclist safety at the junction of Bow Street and the
access road from Maine Street to
Mill Street, and along Mill Street
is under review in the Maine Department of Transportation study.

Mill Street

In this concept design, the new pathway and an overlook on the Mill Street section would provide views of the Swinging Bridge and the Topsham Riverbank.  ​

Overlook on Mill Street

Cyclist on Mill Street

Concept Design by Anthony Muench, Landscape Architect

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Views in all seasons from Mill Street in Brunswick across the Androscoggin River to Topsham Heights.

At the intersection of Mill Street & Cushing Street, 
we return to the park at the Brunswick end of the Swinging Bridge
where we started this photo tour of the
Androscoggin Brunswick-Topsham Riverwalk.

Planning is underway for enhancements along the completed Riverwalk that will include additional benches, directional signage, and informational signage about the history and natural features of the Riverwalk. ​