The Ayer Town Forest

The town forest in Athol was established in 1929. All of the town forest was set aside from the town poor farm. (Town poor farms were a widely practiced means of welfare throughout New England. Toward the close of the 19th century, responsibility for welfare shifted from towns to county or state governments, providing the opportunity for communities to retain ownership of town farm woodlots and convert them to town forest.)

Over 28,500 trees were planted in this 100 acre forest.