Escape to Nearby Borderland State Park

Each week Canton Patch will tell you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break and escape from it all by visiting local hotspots and area events. Each Great Escape feature is meant to make your life a little easier, and maybe even a bit more exciting and fun by discovering new places and things to do locally.

Just a short drive from Canton, sprawling the border of Sharon and Easton, sits Borderland State Park–a haven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

According to Friends of Borderland, Harvard Botanist Oakes Ames and his artist wife, Blanche started purchasing the land that formed the estate in 1906 and built their home, the Ames Mansion, on the property. After their passing, Massachusetts acquired it and opened it as a state park in 1971.

is now a great destination for anyone to enjoy a beautiful day, offering plenty to do on the expansive 1,780 acres. Some ideas for activities include: 

• Enjoy the picnic area with your family and explore the grounds around Ames Mansion.

• Take a leisurely walk or a brisk run with your dog on one of the many trails.

• Go mountain biking with friends or play a game of disc golf.

• Hike one of the many trails, searching for deer and other wildlife.

• Launch your kayak or canoe for a paddle around one of the ponds.

• Fishing is also allowed in some of the ponds.

On the third Sunday of every month, you can also get a tour inside the Ames Mansion, which is now 100 years old.  Tours cost $3 and you will be able to see many rooms inside the mansion, still mostly furnished and with many of Blanche Ames' paintings on the walls.

Most recently, some scenes from the 2010 movie Shutter Island, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Michelle Williams, were shot on the grounds of Borderland. 

There is parking available for a $2 daily fee and you can pay at the automated machine when you enter the lot.

For more information to plan your escape, visit www.friendsofborderland.org or print out map of the park here.