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Sanborn Reservation

Details unconfirmedPreserve · Andover, MA
Sanborn Reservation, Andover, Massachusetts
John Phelan / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Right now

A 26-acre AVIS reservation on the east bank of the Shawsheen River, just above I-93, reached only through Tewksbury at the end of South Street or by canoe. The 2015 addition of 11 acres finally gave it road access and linked it, via the Meg Batcheller trail, to the town's neighboring Lightning Tree Reservation.

What to expect

Parking
Free lot free · unconfirmed
Trails
The Meg Batcheller trail connects Sanborn to the town's Lightning Tree Reservation, together preserving about 40 riverfront acres known as Sanborn North and…
Dogs
Allowed on leash, per AVIS and the town leash bylaw
Hours
Sunrise to sunset, AVIS's standard rule
Managed by
Andover Village Improvement Society (AVIS) Website

Worth knowing

  • George Sanborn, an AVIS trustee, gifted the original land in 1959 partly as an incentive for other landowners to donate; a further 11 acres bought in 2015 finally gave it road access.

Common questions

Where do I park, is it obvious?
Only via the end of South Street through Tewksbury; there's an improved parking area added in 2017.
Launch a kayak?
Yes, this stretch of the Shawsheen is reachable by canoe or kayak.
Where do I park at Sanborn Reservation?
Free lot (free).
Can I bring my dog to Sanborn Reservation?
Allowed on leash, per AVIS and the town leash bylaw
What rules should I know at Sanborn Reservation?
Any activity that diminishes the reservation's natural resources or tranquility is prohibited.

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Prices, hours, and facilities change. A quick note keeps the next visitor from guessing.

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Ponds (6) · Parks (3) · Playgrounds (3) · Dog parks (1)

BetaSome details here are unconfirmed (restrooms, accessibility). Details are sourced from public agency data and can change through the season. Confirm locally before you go. Sourced 2026-07-15. Official source. Updated 2026-11-06.