Originally a cattle farm owned since 1925 by Clarence and Lizzy Latimer, this 42-acre tract is located within walking distance of Bloomington's largest and best concentration of retail shops and restaurants and within one mile of Indiana University's main campus. Keeping in mind the owner's interest in nature preservation and ecology, the 10-acre wooded portion of the development was deeded to the Sycamore Land Trust after purchase to be preserved as a dedicated nature conservancy and to forever remain as an undeveloped woodland.

Phase One was developed on the five and a half acres bordering the Latimer Woods, and appropriately named, "The Woods at Latimer"; it is a community of 78 upscale one bedroom apartment homes sheltered in this shaded haven from the bustle of a busy retail center by its rolling scape, large grove of hickory trees, and the woodlands.

In commemoration of the dedication of The Latimer Woods, Hugh Latimer, son of the original farm owner, had fountain pens made. The following is his dedication:

We have had these pens made to commemorate the fact that the recent donation of the Latimer Woods to the Bloomington and Monroe County Community Foundation and their acceptance of same has assured that the woods will forever remain as undeveloped woodland.

The pens were made from wood salvaged from a wild cherry tree felled by a recent storm in the woods.

The Latimer Woods, containing approximately ten acres, was a part of the one hundred and eleven acre Latimer Farm originally located east of Bloomington, Indiana in farm country, but is now completely surrounded by residential and commercial development. Due to the love and appreciation of this woods by their forebears and the current Latimer heirs, it has been preserved in the near virgin state since the land was purchased by Samuel Latimer in 1853.

The Community Foundation has leased the land to the Bloomington Parks Department for supervision, operation, and maintenance. A designated endowment fund, known as the Latimer Woods Fund, has been set up by the Community Foundation to provide care and maintenance for the woods.

The Latimer Woods shall be preserved in perpetuity for the benefit of wild life and plant communities, for the study of botanical, zoological, and geological phenomena, and for the enjoyment of the public in visiting this unique piece of property.