NEW RECREATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS AT RED PINE

Visitors to Maine’s Red Pine airfield along the Saint John River can tie their airplane down at the north end and use a new picnic shelter and outhouse nearby, saving the long walk to the camping area on the south end of the 2,354 ft runway.

RAF Maine Liaison Andy Rowe drove in for the October 22 work day to help volunteers from North Maine Woods and The Nature Conservancy install the structures, aesthetically made of native wood. Materials were provided by North Maine Woods, and Rowe said, “These upgrades are most welcome, and are a result of the goodwill we created with everybody involved.” The RAF manages the airfield under a lease with The Nature Conservancy, and North Maine Woods maintains the campgrounds.

Rowe pointed out that the airfield location is popular for all kinds of recreation, and there were moose hunters staging from the camping areas that day. The area is known for good grouse hunting and fishing. “Red Pine is especially popular during ‘blast and cast’ season, when it’s open season on bird hunting and fishing,” Rowe added. The ability to fly in saves hours of travel on logging roads.

Looking ahead to speculative recreational amenities at Maine’s Estcourt and Ragmuff airfields, Rowe said, “Our contract with TNC is the model that  sets an example for similar improvements.”

For more information on Red Pine, see the Airfield Guide.

Submitted on December 4, 2024.