2. Key planning documents
created a strong beginning
l 1998 – Growth Management Plan – a
plan for every part of Leominster
l 1998 – Leominster was one of the first
communities to complete an Open
Space Plan
3. Preserved over 2000 acres of open
space – almost every parcel around
our watershed
7. Sholan Farms
l 167 acres
l Family farm dated back to 1740.
l In 2000, the Possick Family proposed a
161 house subdivision.
l Purchased by City in 2001 under
Agricultural Preservation Restriction -
APR
l City/state funded partnership totaling
$4.75 million
8. A Farm stand in full swing
l Strong grassroots organization/community buy
in made all the difference
l Today the farm includes 60 acres of production
including apples, trees, blueberries and
pumpkins.
l 36 varieties of apples
l Run by more than 300 volunteers and 1 ½ paid
staff people.
l Fully operational stand with range of
merchandise.
9. Sholan Apples
l When the apples are ready
– they are ready!
l 36 Varieties of apples currently at
Sholan
l Farm runs a u-pick operation August-
October
l Apples also sold at the farm stand
10. An event for every season
l Twilight hikes (trail system connects to
Sholan)
l Snowshoeing
l Festivals
l U pick
l Weekend entertainment/hayrides
l School tours
11. So much to do at Sholan
Hayrides
Scarecrow Festival