PEABODY — Fifty years after residents rallied to save Brooksby Farm from development, generations of Peabody families gathered to commemorate the decision that preserved 275 acres of farmland, trails, orchards, and open space that many now consider the heart of the community.
Mayor Ted Bettencourt said Thursday’s anniversary was as much about honoring the people who fought to preserve the property in 1976 as it was celebrating what Brooksby Farm has become today.
“I think it’s the true jewel — maybe the crown jewel — of our community,” he said, recalling how he looked across the farm that morning and saw grandparents, parents, and young children making memories together. “This is a very special place. Not many communities have something like this, and it’s something that we should be very grateful that we have.”
That vision almost never became a reality.
In the mid-1970s, the property faced the prospect of being transformed into hundreds of condominiums. Instead, residents from every corner of Peabody united behind the grassroots Save Brooksby movement, organizing fundraisers, circulating petitions, filling public meetings, and urging elected officials to preserve the land for future generations. The campaign ultimately succeeded, leading to the city’s purchase of the farm 50 years ago.
The ceremony honored that legacy through remarks from many, each reflecting on Brooksby Farm’s history and the generations of residents who have helped it flourish.
Former City Councilor Judy Selesnick, an original member of the Save Brooksby Farm Committee, said volunteers operated “like a well-oiled political machine.” One of her lasting memories was transforming her living room into the site of a city council candidate debate, which drew more than 150 people.
“It demonstrated that ordinary citizens can influence the future of their community… Fifty years later, this farm stands as a lasting reminder of what can happen when people in the community band together around a common purpose,” Selesnick said.
The anniversary also highlighted what Brooksby Farm has become since then: a working farm, educational destination, and gathering place where countless family traditions begin.
For Peabody native Caitlin Osborne, the farm has marked many of life’s biggest milestones.
“I got married here 10 years ago, and now I have all three of my kids here with me today,” Osborne said.
Having visited Brooksby as a child herself, she said seeing the improvement over the years has made the property even more meaningful.
“It makes such a difference, and it’s just such a happy place to be now,” Osborne said.
As the ceremony concluded, Bettencourt said the anniversary was not only about looking back, but ensuring Brooksby Farm remains a place where future generations can create memories of their own.
“This farm is a legacy to all of you that put in a tremendous amount of work, a legacy to all of those that have continued to build on what we have here and make this the very special place it is,” he told the crowd.
The 50th anniversary will be celebrated twice this fall: first at Senior Day on Sept. 16 and then again at Fall Fest on Oct. 24.
