Woodstock Elementary School students blow giant bubble at the top of Buck’s Ledge after hiking through the community forest during a “Mountain Day.” submitted photo

WOODSTOCK — Woodstock Elementary students recently took advantage of access to Buck’s Ledge Community Forest by climbing the ledge during a “Mountain Day.”

All the students were bused to the Buck’s Ledge Community Forest parking lot in Bryant Pond, according to Woodstock Conservation Commission President Jane Chandler. The kindergarten and first grade students took a shorter hike and were bused back to the school. But the older students climbed to the top of Buck’s Ledge, back to the main trail and to the Echo Lane extension, which leads back to the school.

“At the scenic overlook the students blew giant bubbles,” Chandler said by email. “Lunch was on top of Buck’s Ledge with fantastic views of North Pond, South Pond, Round Pond and mountains of Mt. Abram, and the White Mountains.”

The trail access from the school was made possible by a purchase last year by the town of Woodstock of 51 acres across from the school and adjacent to the community forest.

“This parcel provides permanent access to the entire Buck’s Ledge trail system via Echo Lane from the school. In addition the parcel connects to a wetland section, offering additional opportunities for trails,” Chandler wrote.

Woodstock Elementary students pose at the top of Buck’s Ledge during a “Mountain Day” hike to the ledge and back to the school. submitted photo

The Buck’s Ledge Community Forest currently consists of 750 acres.

The Woodstock Conservation Commission also has plans to build a wheelchair-accessible 3/4-mile loop that will end at a scenic overlook.

“The fundraising is ongoing as accessible trails are expensive,” Chandler wrote.

The commission is celebrating the third annual Buck’s Ledge Community Forest Day Saturday at 1 p.m.at the scenic overlook with a ribbon-cutting for the “Trail for All.”

The commission still needs to raise $62,000 of its $170,000 goal in order to follow through with construction in May or June 2025, Chandler said.

To donate, visit https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=SXZJ6YMVPHP5A or send a check with Buck’s Ledge in the memo line to the Town of Woodstock, P.O. Box 317, Bryant Pond, ME.ledge