The latest acquisition by the Rochester Land Trust will restore an “ascetically appealing pastoral scene” to town, says member Russ Keeler.

The Pony Pasture is a 3.5-acre stretch of land on Mattapoisett Road across from the trust’s 30-acre Church’s Field property. Both pieces of land were once owned by George Church, a native of Rochester who passed away about in 2014 and sold much of his land for conservation.

According to Keeler, the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game purchased other land adjacent to Church’s house and Church’s Field, but they weren’t interested in the old pasture. This summer the Land Trust acquired it for $20,000, with help from an Ocean Spray Community Fund grant.

“It was really worth much more,” said Keeler, who wants people to know it won’t be developed.

As its name suggests, the land was used as a pasture for Church’s ponies, but it hasn’t been used for more than 10 years.

“It’s become invaded with trees and bushes and other weeds and whatnot,” Keeler said. “We bought this land…pretty much with the plan that we would restore it to pasture.”

Rochester resident Chris Faustino and his crew from Faustino and Sons are clearing the growth and moving rocks from the field. Stonewalls around the pasture will remain intact as long as they are in good shape.

There aren’t any plans to use the property other than to preserve it for future generations. Once the restoration is complete, Keeler said people can use the space to have picnics and a farmer may hay the field to keep it maintained.