Overview
Chosen 31st in the nation by CNN Money's "100 Best Places to Live" in 2009, Southborough is a small, vibrant community of approximately 10,000 residents, which has maintained its historic New England charm and natural beauty, enhanced by scenic roads, reservoirs, and open space, as well as two prestigious boarding schools helping to frame a historic village center. Residents are offered a wide range of services and opportunities for recreational, church, school, and government/civic activity involvement. Southborough is also known for its excellent public schools and family support services. These components add up to an appealing, small-town quality of life near Boston, with the convenience of Massachusetts' major cities by train and Interstates 90 and 495, as well as Route 9. Southborough is located in the heart of the MetroWest with convenience to excellent dining, arts, and entertainment.
Southborough Recreation offers a wide variety of seasonal programs including sports, arts, dance, and educational workshops, including an extensive range of after-school programming in all schools and half-day camps during the summer. Southborough also offers youth sports leagues, public playgrounds, tennis courts, and trails for hiking, biking, snow-shoeing, and nature viewing. The Southborough Open Land Foundation ensures the preservation and protection of open spaces and the rural character of Southborough. The Southborough Arts Center, Southborough Cultural Arts Council, and the Southborough Historical Society bolster arts programs for residents of all ages and preserve the town's historical roots for future generations.
Southborough has a variety of annual traditions, that bring its residents together. Heritage Day celebrations include a parade down Main Street, followed by a gathering on St. Mark's School Green where vendors and local organizations set up booths offering crafts, food, and games, as well as pumpkin lighting, book sales, and a 5k run. Each August, Southborough's Summer Nights celebration includes rides and activities for kids, live entertainment, and fireworks. The Thanksgiving morning Gobble Wobble Race is a more recent but growing town tradition. Southborough's vibrant non-profit sectors and church communities also contribute to the town's social fabric, with events such as the annual helicopter visit from Santa sponsored by St. Mark's School and the Steeple House music performances at Pilgrim Church. A wide variety of programs, classes, speakers, and events organized by Southborough's active Senior Center and Town Library keep residents of all ages entertained, informed, and engaged.
Recreation
Southborough Recreation offers a wide variety of seasonal programs including sports, arts, dance, and educational workshops. Southborough Recreation offers one of the most extensive ranges of after-school programming in all schools and half-day camps during the summer. It also has a non-profit, volunteer youth sports leagues, public playgrounds, tennis courts, and trails for passive recreation.
Friends of Southborough Recreation supports recreational activities for the youth and families of Southborough. Consisting of residents and parents, these volunteers believe it is important to support the community and assist in providing for and expanding public recreation for all areas of development and age groups. Goals include fundraising to support existing community events, developing new community programs and activities, award scholarships, and fulfilling the general needs of the Recreation Department.
The Great Outdoors
Passive recreation and conservation open space within Southborough includes the Town Forest, Breakneck Hill Conservation Area, Wilfred J. Turenne Wildlife Habitat, and Chestnut Hill Farm. The Bay Circuit Trail, a long-distance trail system being developed by the non-profit Bay Circuit Alliance, runs through the northeastern edge of Southborough along the Sudbury Reservoir. Upon completion, the entire trail is planned to be a 120-mile arc between Route 128 and I-495. Hiking/walking trails are available at all these locations plus Fayville Dam and the Sudbury Reservoir Trail. Additionally, Southborough is home to two golf courses: St. Mark's School Golf Club and Stonybrook Golf Course. There are also many scenic open spaces and recreational opportunities in surrounding areas of Southborough.
The mission of the Southborough Open Land Foundation, Inc. (SOLF) is to preserve and protect the open spaces and rural character of Southborough. SOLF owns and manages 183 acres of open space and accepts donations of properties of all sizes.
Arts and Entertainment
Southborough Arts Center
The mission of Southborough Arts Center is to promote excellence and access to education and diversity in the arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences in Southborough and surrounding communities. The Arts Center building is maintained by the Town of Southborough and houses the Southborough Recreation Department and the Facilities Department, shared classroom and gallery space, a pottery studio, and storage for the town. The Arts Center is supported by the Southborough Cultural Arts Council (SCAC) and Friends of the Arts Center.
The Southborough Cultural Arts Council awards grants; supports and maintains the Arts Center at Southborough (21 Highland Street); provides programs, events, exhibitions, and classes; and promotes and supports local artists. www.southborougharts.org
The Southborough Historical Society chartered in 1965, maintains a museum at 25 Common Street where objects and documents of local historical significance are collected, preserved, exhibited, and interpreted. Hours of operation are Sundays from 1 pm to 4 pm, plus special times during Heritage Day Weekend and the holidays.
Main Street & More
Main Street is home to Mauro's Market and Village Cafe, English Garden Florist, Lily Nail Salon, and Main Street Bank. Southborough House of Pizza is family owned and has been operating for forty years on Main Street. The village center in Cordaville includes Stony Brook Market, Dunkin Donuts, Expressions Art Bar, Middlesex Bank, and other retail establishments. Brickyard Square located on Route 9 West has additional retail stores, including Domino's Pizza.
Annual Events
Southborough celebrates Heritage Day every Columbus Day Weekend. The day starts with a parade down Main Street, followed by a gathering on St. Mark's School Green where vendors and local organizations set up booths offering crafts, food, knick-knacks, and information. The celebration includes the Rotary Club's sponsored five-mile run, a three-mile walk, an annual library book sale, and pumpkin carving.
Sponsored by local businesses, the Town's Recreation Department, and the Friends of Southborough Recreation, Southborough's Summer Nights Celebration is held at the end of August at Neary Elementary School. This event includes rides and activities for kids, a dunk tank, live entertainment, food vendors, and more. The evening's grand finale is a spectacular fireworks display. We also conduct a 5k Certified Race plus a 2-mile walk known as the Gobble Wobble Race on Thanksgiving morning.
For more local events information, visit Southborough Recreation and the MetroWest Visitors and Tourism Bureau.