The Carlisle Town Forest

The town forest in Carlisle was established in 1923 on 40 acres of land. 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 32 acres were added several years later.

Over 25,000 trees were planted in this 111 acre forest.