By Amy Hoffman
Doubles play on pickleball courts in Spring Glen / Richard Sachs
It seems that no one knows where Spring Glen Special Place is. Our real estate person got lost every time we wanted to look at the house that we finally purchased – every time! We knew then that getting lost in Eastman was an occupational hazard.
We reside in one of the “other” towns of Eastman—Springfield with a population of about 1,300. About the same size as Eastman Lake, it is the second largest Special Place by area, but one of the smallest by population. Off Wellfield Road, near the new Village District of Eastman office building, is Winding Wood Road that leads to Springfield’s Bog Road. Springfield’s town webpage states: “Springfield is a rural residential community with un-crowded living conditions, a quiet and undisturbed lifestyle, and a scenic and unpolluted natural environment.” This is especially true of Spring Glen.
Spring Glen is heavily forested, which, for me, is the major benefit of living here. Neighbors are far enough away so that you can stand on your deck and be pretty private—or not. To have some fun, one of my neighbors calls my dog through the woods that separates our houses. It’s funny to watch him react when she calls, as he can’t figure out what is happening!
We live in a natural wildlife area. Our yard has been visited by multiple snowshoe hare, moose, bear, deer, mating grouse, bobcat, skunk, red fox, grey fox, barred owl, and Cooper’s Hawks. Our bird feeder brings in many species of small birds along with the red squirrels that benefit from dropped seed. Across the street from our home, in a small hollow, is a vernal pool where salamanders and wood frogs spend a few days each spring. My grandchildren love to gather pollywogs in a goldfish bowl and watch as fairy shrimp, pollywogs and mosquito larvae swim. And earlier this summer, I planted lots of pollinator plants to entice bees and butterflies.
Spring Glen is a natural playground for anyone who enjoys being outdoors. From John’s Glen to Road Round the Lake, Trail 8 meanders through our Special Place. It’s a nice hike during warm weather or a wonderful crosscounty ski adventure in winter. When it is not snow-covered, it’s a perfect place to walk dogs in spite of a few muddy spots. Two tennis courts built in the late 1970s have been in use ever since. Recently refurbished, one has been repurposed for pickleball. And, the long Winding Wood Road, across the street from the courts, leads to McDaniels Marsh Wildlife Management Area in Springfield, which is one of the prime local kayaking spots in the area.
Throughout the year, I walk the Spring Glen roads almost every day, and I introduce myself to anyone I meet. Spring Glen is a sparsely populated Special Place and our gatherings usually bring together a small group of residents.
Spring Glen Special Place is about a mile from the lake that residents and visitors are privileged to drive by on the way to our Special Place. I have often said to folks that I have at least one moment a week when I exclaim ‘WOW!” Mostly they happen when I come around the corner near the public boat access and first see the lake. My “wow” moment could be storm clouds over the lake. It could be ice-out about to happen. It could be a loon in the cove or sailboats, canoes, kayaks, and swimmers on a perfect summer day presenting a magnificent photo. I savor that sight as I drive the rest of the way home to Spring Glen Special Place.
Amy Hoffman moved to Spring Glen in 1994 with expectations of a “quiet retirement” that has turned out to be anything but quiet with all the activities in which she has been involved.
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