Kent Hewitt's gift of the Pleasant Lake Preserve in 2010 assured permanent public access to the 100-acre wooded peninsula and associated 50-acre wetland long enjoyed by boaters, ice fishermen, hunters and hikers.  Foot access is via a right-of-way from the preserve parking area off Route 143 through the donor's beautiful, well-managed woodlot.  

 

SRLT completed selective forest management on the peninsula (known as "The Cape") in 2013 and a trail system was begun in 2014.  Since 2017 major improvements and trail expansion has progressed thanks to volunteer steward Jeff Guesman, who also donated new kiosk graphics in 2020.  The preserve may also be accessed from the water by using the boat launch at the lake outlet dam, donated to the town by Mr. Hewitt, and then landing at one of several canoe access sites with picnic tables provided by an Eagle Scout project led by Breac Baker.

Winter visitors should note that the woodlot right-of-way is shared with the snowmobile club - Stay alert!

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Directions from downtown Unity to Pleasant Lake Preserve in Stetson:

Travel northeast on Route 202 for 12.5 miles.  Turn left on to Route 143 at the intersection with Orcutt's store, then drive west on Route 143 through Etna.  Continue on Route 143 for approximately seven miles after passing under Interstate 95.  Watch for the preserve sign on the right which marks the preserve access road. (If you reach the intersection with Route 222, you have gone a mile too far.)  Trailhead parking and and a kiosk are at the gravel lot.  Volunteer snow plowers keep at least a small pull-off open for the winter.