Canoe River

The Canoe River flows approximately 16 miles from its headwaters near Lake Massapoag in Sharon, to Winnecunnet Pond in Norton. Its shores are predominantly wooded as it meanders through the towns of Sharon, Foxborough, Mansfield, Easton and Norton. The river’s watershed recharges the Canoe River aquifer which supplies water to municipal wells in four of these five communities. It has been designated an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) and a federal Sole Source Aquifer. Thus, it is important to protect and preserve specified parcels to ensure continued water quality for the region.

Those portions of the watershed which are publicly owned are enjoyed by canoeists, fishermen hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts. However, much of the vacant land within the riparian corridor is privately owned and is not protected or available for public use.

Canoe River Greenbelt
Leonard Flynn on the Canoe River
Past president Leonard Flynn on the Canoe River

GRlT all-terrain freedom chairs

Do you have difficulty navigating trails?

GRIT all-terrain Freedom Chairs are available to borrow from the Mansfield Public Library’s “Library of Things.” These innovative chairs can be self-propelled with your arms or pushed by someone else, making it easier to navigate uneven topography. Thanks to a partial grant from the town’s Non-Profit Gift Fund, the Natural Resources Trust of Mansfield purchased and donated one adult and one child’s chair to help more people enjoy the town’s beautiful nature trails. Use the QR code to learn more about the chairs.

Scroll to Top