Despite a promise to picket the dedication for the new Pleasant Hill Preserve in Scarborough, members of the Benjamin family did nothing to mar the community celebration held at the property Saturday.

The Scarborough Land Trust purchased the 135-acre former Benjamin Farm on Pleasant Hill Road in late December 2014, with the intent of opening it up for public use.

The purchase price of $2.5 million was raised through a fundraising campaign that included more than 400 local donors, as well as a $2 million contribution to the project from the town’s land bond fund.

A few weeks ago the land trust announced it was re-naming the farm as the Pleasant Hill Preserve, which drew objections from Ed Benjamin, a son of Jerrerd Benjamin, who farmed the land for decades.

At the time, he said, “I will do everything in my power to ensure the name is not changed.”

However, on Saturday, Benjamin limited himself to making just a few comments during the dedication ceremony.

He reiterated his argument that the property should retain the name of the Benjamin Farm by saying the land trust raised the money for the acquisition using that name.

And while Benjamin thanked the land trust for the permanent plaque honoring his father, he also said, “I’m just trying to protect my father’s name. That name was part of the preservation effort, too.”

In addition to several members of the Benjamin family, descendents of the other families who also farmed the land were also present, sharing old photos and memories.

A kiosk at the entrance to the property includes a farm heritage display that recognizes the four families who shared more than 180 years of farming history on the property – the Robinsons, Johnsons, Coulthards and Benjamins.

In opening the dedication ceremony, Kathy Mills, executive director of the land trust, said, “For so many years, so many people have driven by with the hope that this beautiful piece of property would be conserved. Now we can get out of our cars and enjoy this piece of land.”

Paul Austin, president of the land trust, added that “it took a giant leap of faith” when his organization first signed the purchase and sales agreement for the farm last winter.

But, he said, “the Town Council and the community recognized the importance” of conserving the property, which was shown by “the wonderful outpouring of community support” and the many donations that rolled in.

Town Councilor Bill Donovan was also on hand Saturday and said the preservation of “this special place is such a gift to everyone.”

He was one of the councilors who voted to use land bond money to help purchase the land.

“We all agreed that this was one of those properties that should be preserved forever,” he said.

Elizabeth Peoples, land trust vice president and project leader for the acquisition of the farm, called the purchase of the property “an achievement for the land trust and the community.”

“I knew Mr. Benjamin,” she said, “and he really, really wanted this land to be protected. He was a wonderful man and it was his dream to conserve this land.”

Beth Bellemere, a neighbor and longtime friend of Jerrerd Benjamin, also spoke at the dedication ceremony. She said Benjamin had “an amazing knowledge of the land and all that relates to farming.” Bellemere also recalled that he put up fencing in order to protect wildflowers from his grazing beef cattle.

Bellemere would often walk the land with Benjamin and recalled the many times she helped with birthing a calf or inoculating the sheep that were also quartered at the farm.

In addition to cattle and sheep, Benjamin also raised chickens, ducks and vegetables. Bellemere still fondly remembers watching him cuddle baby chicks in his “massive hands.”

She said that Benjamin “created a wonderful world here and I am forever grateful that he allowed me to share it.”

In continuing to honor the efforts of those who worked to preserve the former farm, Betts Armstrong, the fundraising chairwoman for the project, said, “Truly, the community saved and will continue to care for this land with love, passion and appreciation.”

In closing the dedication ceremony, Mills said, “The theme of the day is: ‘This land is your land.’ This is your property; come and enjoy it anytime.”

A temporary trail is open to the public from dawn to dusk. Visitors are asked to stay on the trail and to leash their dogs.

A plaque placed at the entrance to the new Pleasant Hill Preserve honors Jerrerd Benjamin for his wish to preserve his 135-acre farm in Scarborough for open space.Staff photo by Kate Irish CollinsMore than 80 people turned out for the dedication of the new Pleasant Hill Preserve in Scarborough Saturday. In all, more than 400 donors contributed to the acquisition of the former Benjamin Farm by the Scarborough Land Trust.Courtesy photoPaul Austin, president of the Scarborough Land Trust, speaks at the dedication ceremony for the new Pleasant Hill Preserve Saturday.Staff photo by Kate Irish Collins