The Mansfield Town Forest

The town forest in Manfield was established in 1929 on 200 acres of land which protected the town water supply. 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 up until the end of the 19th century. Responsibility for welfare then 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 140 acres were acquired at a later time.

Over 61,500 trees were planted in the forest.