If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a bit of fresh air and fun, stop by the Doyle Community Park. Situated between the urban parts of Leominster and neighboring Fitchburg, the park provides visitors 157 acres of lush greenery, including dense woods, wide open fields and diverse gardens. Visitors are invited to walk the 3 1/2 miles of trails that snake throughout the park, settle down for a leisurely picnic or simply enjoy the scenery. Once you've perused the park, check out the Doyle Community Center, a venue for involvement events, guest speakers and banquets. Doyle Community Park is open year round from sunrise to sunset.
On long drives, salty fast food is often the only available fare. Consider planning a pit stop at Sholan Farms (sholanfarms.com), and treat the kids to a juicy Ginger Gold apple or a sweet selection of raspberries. The 60 acres of Sholan Farms are owned by Leominster and operated by The Friends of Sholan Farms, a nonprofit organization dedicated to sustaining the farm's rich history and producing delicious fruit. Sholan Farms is friendly to native wildlife, making it a popular destination for birdwatchers young and old. Meetings regarding the farm's affairs -- including upcoming farmer's markets, planned tours and harvest festivals -- occur monthly and are open to the community.
Stop in at the Leominster Public Library (leominsterlibrary.org) for some peace and quiet after exploring the downtown district. Situated in the heart of Leominster, the library is the perfect place to catch up on your child's recommended reading list or perform research on a school project. Families are invited to attend free biweekly movie nights, featuring both classic and new films. The library also hosts a large book sale on the first Saturday of each month. Registration is not required for both of these events, so you can enjoy them even if you're just a visitor to Leominster.
Used as an amphitheater, community center and athletic field for over 70 years, Doyle Field (doylefield.org) is an integral part of Leominster's history. Opened in the early 1930's as a baseball stadium and general use park, Doyle Field has expanded to include a running track, tennis courts, a soccer field and a small football field. A renovation effort was begun in 2009 to help restore the aging parts of Doyle Field. Since the effort began, old bleachers have been replaced, the concession facilities have been restored and the fields have been reconditioned for regular use. If you've got a car full of young athletes, a stop at Doyle Field is necessary as you make your way through Leominster.
