The city of Leominster has been working towards sustainability for over 20 years through various key planning documents including a 1998 Growth Management Plan and one of the state's first Open Space Plans which preserved over 2000 acres of land around the city's watershed. One of the major sustainability successes was the preservation of Sholan Farms, a 167 acre family farm dating back to 1740 that was purchased by the city in 2001 and is now a working farm with 60 acres of production including 36 varieties of apples, trees, blueberries and pumpkins run by volunteers and staff offering events and activities for the community year-round to help attract new residents, businesses and visitors to the city.

1. City of Leominster
Working toward Sustainability for more
than 20 years

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

4. 26 miles of trails

5. Rehabbing and building playgrounds
Fournier Park
Southeast
Third Street – coming this year

6. Sholan Farms

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

12. Apple Blossom Festival
Working to ready the community gardens (2.5 acres)

13. Sholan and the City – marketing
beyond our borders to attract new
residents, businesses and visitors