Recreation Opportunities

Orono has an array of public facilities that serve the social and recreational needs of its citizens. These are managed by the Parks and Recreation Department and include:
  • Keith Anderson Community House, located in downtown and a venue for community programs, dances, and other events
  • Birch Street School Senior Center, next to the new Public Library off Pine Street
  • Municipal swimming pool on Goodridge Drive
  • Multi-purpose fields and courts that are part of the public school campus off Goodridge Drive
  • Webster Park, located between the Stillwater River and North Main Street, a 5-acre riverside park for picnics and concerts
  • Gould's Landing and Nadeau-Savoy Park on Pushaw Lake, accessed via Essex Street in the western part of Orono
  • Sklar Wilderness Park, a forested, passive recreation area off Gilbert Street and Mainewood Avenue
  • Jeremiah Colburn Natural Area, a 23-acre, in-town passive recreation area off Forest Avenue
  • Brownie's Park, a riverside green area along a popular walking and bicycle path, located between Bennoch Road and the Stillwater River
  • Marden Park at the corner of Park and Crosby streets, used for Little League baseball games
  • Summer Street Park, the Town's newest riverside park, adjacent to Downtown, designed as a handcarry launch and take-out site for canoes and kayaks, as well as a viewing and picnicking spot

Trails & Preserves

In addition to the Town-owned Sklar Park and Jeremiah Colburn Natural Area, several other preserves and a wide network of walking and ski trails are available for public use. Many of these are owned or managed by the Orono Land Trust, with maps of the preserves and trails available online.

The Orono Bog Boardwalk is jointly managed by the Orono Land Trust, the City of Bangor, and the University of Maine. The Boardwalk is 4,200' long and traverses a northern peat bog. The Boardwalk is typically open from May 1st to the last Sunday in November. Visit their website to find out more about the Boardwalk.

Fitness Center

In 2007, the University of Maine opened a new Student Recreation and Fitness Center, which is available to the public. The center has visitor parking and is a stop on the Black Bear Orono Express shuttle bus route.

Arts & Sporting Events

As a University town, Orono is blessed with opportunities for spectator sports (both high school and college level) and arts events. Information about the Collins Arts Center and other performing arts and museum facilities is available online. For University of Maine team schedules, visit their website.