The Scarborough Land Trust has officially completed its purchase of the 135-acre Benjamin Farm property on Pleasant Hill Road. The closing was held on Dec. 12 and the land trust now owns the property, which will be permanently conserved for open space, public access and wildlife habitat.

“People have been driving by Benjamin Farm for years, hoping that it would be conserved,” said Paul Austin, president of the land trust board. “We are thrilled to be conserving this gem of a property for the community, forever.”

He added, “We thank the citizens of Scarborough for their strong support of town land bonds and the more than 400 donors who provided overwhelming support (for) our capital campaign. (Saving the) Benjamin Farm is a dream come true.”

The farm, which is located two miles from Higgins Beach, consists of open fields, woods and wetlands. It also abuts the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge and is part of a wildlife and wetlands corridor that reaches to the Scarborough Marsh.

Lead support for the $2.5 million conservation project came from the town of Scarborough. This past June, the Town Council voted to approve $2 million from the land bond to help purchase the farm. The remaining $500,000 was raised through a capital campaign.

“The town is very pleased to partner with the Scarborough Land Trust to conserve this wonderful asset for the community,” said Town Manager Tom Hall. “The strong support for Benjamin Farm shows that conservation of natural areas is a priority for the people of Scarborough.”

Any further funds raised will be used to support the stewardship needs of the property, as the land trust must care for it in perpetuity.

The land trust will soon begin developing plans for public use of the Benjamin Farm. Among its first priorities will be creating public trails. There will also be opportunities for community input on the best use of the land.

– Kate Irish Collins

Paul Austin, president of the Scarborough Land Trust, and Kathy Perreault celebrate the official purchase of the Benjamin Farm.Courtesy photo