The Barnstable Town Forest

The town forest in Barnstable was established in 1924 on 200 acres of land. Part 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). An additional 10 acres were added several years later.

Over 204,500 trees were planted in the forest.