Jon and Danny Shaw, owners of Shaw Brothers Construction and Shaw Brothers Family Foundation, a non-profit organization, have announced that their property on Lower Main St. (Rt. 25), now called Shaw Cherry Hill Farm, is ready to open to the public.
The foundation was established to support recreational, agricultural or other charitable causes; acquire and preserve farmland in the Town of Gorham and construct and maintain a community recreational park and trails for walking, riding, and snowmobiling; and to operate an educational farm and provide land for a future farm market to sell local foods.
Photo credit Leslie DupuisThe 258-acre parcel with nearly three miles of trails will open once an agreement is finalized with the Town of Gorham whereby the Town leases the property for $1 a year in exchange for providing liability insurance. The foundation will maintain the property which includes plowing the roads and parking area.
This parcel was previously owned by ecomaine. The Shaw brothers purchased it in 2016 and have spent years preparing the land for public use, including mining gravel for the trails from an on-site quarry, clearing trees, and adding roads and bridges that will accommodate emergency vehicles.
The property includes a section of the former Cumberland and Oxford Canal that followed the Presumpscot River from Sebago Lake through the towns of Standish, Windham, Gorham, and Westbrook. The name Cherry Hill comes from a line of purebred cows raised by their ancestors, although Jon Shaw noted that cherry trees do grow on the property as well.
Photo credit Leslie DupuisA kiosk and signs point visitors to the numerous trails along Shaw Cherry Hill Farm. They will be open to the public once the town approves a proposed lease agreement.
Shaw Cherry Hill Farm currently has eight trails. In warm weather, hiking, biking, and hand carrying canoes and kayaks to the river are permitted. Winter uses include skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and sledding. Hunting, ATVs, alcohol, horses and fires are prohibited.
Approximately 100 acres have been cleared for use as hayfields in recognition of the Town’s cultural roots. Portions of the property that are used for farming will be off limits to visitors unless the property is covered with snow. Shaw envisions adding more trails and perhaps work- ing with the Town to flood a two-acre area for ice skating in the winter.
There are three commercial lots available for lease along Rt. 25. Sebago Brewing Company leases a 5.6 acres parcel for its headquarters, a brewery and a tasting room. In negotiating planned uses for this property, the Shaws required that the property along Rt. 25 be slated for commercial use only and that the businesses have an agricultural connection.
Photo credit Leslie DupuisOver the years, there have been several different proposals for the property ranging from a gas plant to a 900-home development. The Shaw brothers are pleased that the property will be used for both farming and recreation.
Shaw has been contacted recently by several local organizations who are interested in using the trails and surrounding farmland. He is hopeful that he can meet their requests soon.
Chairman Ben Hartwell said, “I supported this project from the time it was a mere concept and am more than happy to see it through.” Further discussion was planned at the Town Council meeting this week.