Backus Lane Field

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Backus Lane Field is a recreational area located in the town of Canterbury, Massachusetts.


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Summary

The field features a variety of outdoor recreational activities and is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike.

Some good reasons to visit Backus Lane Field include its beautiful natural setting, which offers ample opportunities for hiking, picnicking, and birdwatching. The area is also home to a diverse range of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and hawks, making it a great spot for nature lovers.

One of the main points of interest in Backus Lane Field is the Backus Lane Trail, a scenic hiking trail that winds its way through the woods and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Other highlights of the area include the numerous picnic areas and the large grassy field, which is perfect for sports and outdoor games.

Interesting facts about the area include its historical significance as a former Native American hunting ground, as well as its status as a popular spot for early settlers to gather and socialize.

The best time of year to visit Backus Lane Field is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the area is bustling with activity. However, the fall months are also a great time to visit, as the foliage in the area is particularly stunning during this time of year.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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