LEWISTON

Garcelon Bog Conservation Area

With 109 acres of protected wetlands, the bog hosts a variety of natural habitats and features forested trails just minutes from downtown. Trails, extension and connectors have been added over the past few years, providing more ways to connect with nature. Look for birdhouses, bridges, an interpretive boardwalk, new kiosks and granite seating

Location: 603 Webber Ave.

Kennedy Park

With a community pool, skate park, basketball courts and a playground, there’s plenty to do at this park near the hubbub of downtown. Paved walkways lined with bench seating traverse the ample green space in the park. The gazebo, originally built in 1925, was restored in 2015.

Location: 120 Park St.

Simard-Payne Memorial Park

The is the place to be whether you want to get fit or just relax and gaze at the Androscoggin. The park boasts Maine’s first outdoor fitness court, a performance area, walking paths and a multi-purpose playing field. Some of the city’s biggest events — including the Great Falls Balloon Festival and the Dempsey Challenge — are based at Simard-Payne.

Location: 46 Beach St.

SunnySide Park

This small neighborhood-based park has a playground, basketball courts and field space. For those looking to get in some play time and some trail time, it’s perfectly positioned near the entrance to part of the East Coast Greenway.

Location: 132 Winter St.

Veterans Memorial Park

If you’re driving along the Androscoggin River, this one’s pretty hard to miss. And when you enter the park, there’s so much to see: the “remember the Maine” monument; the Gold Star emblem; granite benches and stones honoring veterans; a Vietnam-era Corsair fighter jet; a 23,000-pound warship gun.

Location: 2 Main St.

AUBURN

Bonney Park

Come here to watch the kids tackle the playground equipment or just to watch the Androscoggin River flow past. This downtown green space connects to the Riverwalk Trail, which links to John T. Jenkins Memorial Footbridge and the Lewiston park system.

Location: 284 Main St.

Festival Plaza

It looks a bit different today than when it was first erected 20 year ago, but the plaza is still a great spot for outdoor performances, views of the river or workday lunch with friends. If you want to walk off your lunch you’ll have easy access to Auburn’s Riverwalk.

Location: 112 Main St.

Lake Grove Park

On the shore of Lake Auburn, this park has everything you need for a day at the beach: a playground for the kids, grills, picnic tables and fishing for dad, and water for mom (a view of it, at least). The city has hoped to allow swimming at the park for the past few years but it is dependent on water testing.

Location: 2 Fair St.

Mount Apatite Park

Open dawn to dusk all year, this 300-acre park offers more than 4 miles of of looping trails perfect for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Pick a trail and wander through the park where thousands of tourmaline crystals were mined, including one weighing in at 11.87 carats that has been displayed at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.

Location: 64 Mt. Apatite Road

Riverwalk

This 1.6-mile paved and gravel path takes runners and walkers past Festival Plaza and to Bonny Park, Simard-Payne Memorial Park and the footbridge connecting Auburn and Lewiston. There’s lots to see along the trek, including Great Falls and views of both cities. Benches positioned for great views of the river line the walkway.

Location: 284 Main St. or Great Falls Plaza

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