Pineland Farms

Pineland Farms is a large complex of property spread out through the eastern part of New Gloucester, Maine. Pineland has a "campus," where many buildings are located, with some satellite buildings located elsewhere nearby. Sometimes referred to as just, "Pineland," it has undergone major change since 1996, when its use as a "school for the feeble minded," was no longer appropriate.

1900's-1996: A school for the "feeble minded."

Pineland first opened in 1908. Many patients went through Pineland, and many patients were being helped but there was a downfall to all of this: Many Pineland patients were being abused. When the abused tried to report the people doing that, nobody believed them, due to their mental state. Eventually, those committing the devious deed were caught. That, along with other events, led to Pineland's closing in 1996.

A new life for Pineland

When Pineland closed in 1996, the campus had approximately 1600 acres (6.5 km²) and 28 buildings. Much of the area was for farming purposes, and to satisfy needs of the employees and residents. In 2000, all of the farm was purchased by the Portland, Maine-based Libra Foundation. Since then, it has been heavily renovated, and undergone a major transformation, including new business openings, renovations of buildings, and building of recreational sites.

Today

Today, Pineland stands as a very different place than it was at closing time. The "Visitor's Center," is the main office where business is, and adjacent to it is Foley's Bakery, a bakery with goods such as cookies, bread, and muffins. It's also very convenient for Cross-Country Skiers because it's within short walking distance of the trailhead. Equestrian-related sports can be found slightly off campus just down State Route 231. The Visitor's Center is where you can get advice or a helping hand from one of the friendly employees. Below the Visitor's Center is a Cross-Country Ski shop which rentals, day trail passes for 4 dollars, and purchases are available of ski-related equipment. A YMCA is located at the summit of the main road, and many programs (child and adult) take place in some of the buildings. The administrative offices are located across the street from the Visitor's Center. The Libra Foundation renovated much of Pineland's area into Cross-Country ski trails. The trail system is approximately 25 Kilometers long, and is used for multiple purposes in the spring, summer and fall, including:

*Cross-Country Skiing (The main sport for these trails; there are groomed tracks for skating and classic techniques in optimal weather.)
*Orienteering (Pineland hosted the National Orienteering Championships in 2004.)
*Cyclo-cross (A form of bicycle racing which one must jump over barriers and run their bike up inclines throughout various wooded courses.)
*Trail running
*Mountain Biking

Also, during spring, summer, and fall, Cross-Country ski dryland training takes place on the campus roads using rollerskis, running, and other methods of Nordic training.

External links

* [http://www.pinelandfarms.org Pineland Farms]