Head of Tide Park

Head of Tide Park is a waterfront park located on Cathance Road, where a twenty foot waterfall from the Cathance River flows into a tidal offshoot of Merrymeeting Bay. The site offers parking, a picnicking area, and a hand carry boat launch designed for canoes and kayaks. The five acre park is the only public waterfront park in Topsham. Bald eagles, heron, and osprey can frequently be seen in the area hunting for the numerous fish that patrol the tidal zone.

The site was an important location for the Native Americans that once lived in the region. It was also the site of the town’s first sawmill before it was turned into a feldspar mill and then an apartment building in the 1970s. The apartment building and other surrounding structures have since been removed from the site. The site has undergone significant construction to restore its natural beauty, and is still be updated with amenities.  Although there is no accessible drinking water, there are Public Privies which are open year long. 

The park provides access to the seven mile long Cathance River Corridor Historical Trail, information on which can be found by visiting Cathance River Corridor Historical Trail website.

Directions

Located at 235 Cathance Rd., Head of Tide park is not far from the center of Topsham and downtown Brunswick. Cathance Rd. can be accessed off of Route 24, which connects to Route 196 (Brunswick Topsham Bypass) and Rt. 201 (Main St.).