Borderland State Park in Massachusetts

Borderland Park is one of the most beautiful places to walk in Massachusetts. Located on the borders of Easton, Stoughton, and Sharon this park is rich in biodiversity and has miles of land for hikers to enjoy. Borderland Park also offers disc golf (a hybrid of Frisbee and golf), events, nature walks, tours of the property's mansion, and more. Borderland was created in the early 1900s by the artist Blanche Ames and her husband Oakes, a botanist. The Ames used part of the land for farming, while they worked to create a wildlife reservation with the rest of the land. Using his knowledge of botany, Oakes created the ideal habitat for various types of wildlife in Massachusetts. The land stayed with the family for 65 years until two years after Blanche passed away. At that point, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts acquired Borderland and it became the state park that it is today. [i]

The land, as well as the mansion, are kept in much the same shape that they were when the Ames family lived at Borderland. You will find stone walls, farming paths, clearings and ponds to enjoy at Borderland. The mansion also still has the same furnishings and decorations as when the family lived there.

This Massachusetts State Park consists of 1773 acres of land. Borderland has three large ponds which many of its trails loop. You will also find rock formations, gardens, hills and fields. The rich diversity of the land results in a wide variety of wildlife and plants. Visiting Borderland in any season will bring its own set of surprises. In late summer, one will find beautiful dragon flies and butterflies floating about the property. Autumn is lush with the colors of the fall and an occasional fire going in one of the park's rustic shelters.

When visiting Borderland, it is recommended that visitors wear insect repellent and keep their eyes out for ticks. Depending on the season, sunscreen and a hat is a good idea as some paths are directly in the sunlight. You should also bring your own water bottle if you plan on taking a long walk, because water is only available at the visitor's center.

Getting to Borderland is fairly easy. From route 106 in Easton, signs guide you at each intersection. The entrance to Borderland is clearly marked. Borderland has two parking lots, a free gated entrance for members of Borderland and a lot for non-members which requires $2 for parking. Non-members pay for parking at an automated machine and receive a stub to place in the windshield for proof of payment.

After parking, you can head over to the visitor's center to find trail maps and tour suggestions for Borderland Park. Rangers also keep updated information about animal sightings that week, often showing pictures of deer or turtles on a board outside of the center. The visitor's center has restrooms, water, and a cool place to sit for anyone tuckered out after their journey.

When walking at Borderland, visitors will also enjoy the variety of Massachusetts landscapes. For example, the Pond Walk takes you through wood-lined trails, open fields, pond-side views, and past an old farmhouse. There are over 20 miles of trails for visitors to enjoy. Wider trails like the Pond Walk, which loops the property's largest pond, can accommodate horse-back riding. Narrow trails, like the Swamp Trail, may not allow horses or dogs to pass through. Signs indicating path restrictions are clearly posted throughout Borderland.

For walkers who wish to make their visit educational, Borderland offers several interpretive programs for adults and children. The programs include sunset hikes, nature excursions and more. Upcoming events are featured on their on-line calendar at http://www.friendsofborderland.org.

Borderland also offers brochures for self-guided excursions. Their hikes with children brochures offers great ideas like catching and releasing pond critters with your children and visiting the Ames Boulder; a million pound boulder dropped 11,000 years ago on the property by a glacier. If your interested in learning more about the Ames Mansion, a brochure for a self-guided architectural tour of the mansion is also available. These pamphlets can be found in the park's visitor's center along with trail maps and information about other Massachusetts State Parks.

For sporting enthusiasts, Borderland has much to offer. From mountain-biking to fishing, individuals will find many ways to enjoy the scenery while burning calories. The Ames Mansion tennis court is open and ready for use on a first come, first served basis. For those interested in group activities, Borderland offers a free running program and hikes tailored for various fitness goals.

Another popular sport at Borderland is disc-golf. Offering the longest course in New England, it is no wonder that so many people visit Borderland solely for this sport[ii]. Scorecards and pencils are available at the first basket behind the visitor's center. Players will find baskets in wooded areas and fields.

Borderland Park is one of the best parks in Massachusetts. It has something for everyone. The majority of events and sports are free, aside from the $2 parking fee charged to all visitors ($35 for year-long visit). Whether you are looking to have a romantic picnic on the mansion grounds or want to take your dog for a run, Borderland is a great place to visit.

[i]http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/borderland/

Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Website

[ii]http://www.pdga.com/course-details?id=397

Professional Disc Golf Association Website