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Local attractions on list of the state's 1,000 best places to visit
Capron Park Zoo in Attleboro and Patriot Place in Foxboro are taking their place alongside Fenway Park and the Freedom Trail as great places to visit while vacationing in Massachusetts.
A special state commission released the names Monday of the 1,000 best places in the state to visit, and 11 local attractions made the list.
They include LaSalette Shrine, Capron Park Zoo and Oak Knoll Wildlife Sanctuary in Attleboro; Little Red School House and Woodcock Garrison House in North Attleboro; Patriot Place in Foxboro; Mansfield Music and Art Society in Mansfield; Winslow Animal Sanctuary in Norton; Village Historical District in Rehoboth; Caratunk Audubon Area and Seekonk Speedway in Seekonk; and Wrentham Village Premium Outlets in Wrentham.
"This list of 1,000 great places in Massachusetts celebrates what a truly special place Massachusetts is," said Eric Turkington, a former Cape Cod state representative who chaired the Great Places in Massachusetts Commission. "It reminds us how fortunate we are to have such a wealth of heritage, cultural diversity, and natural beauty right in our backyard."
Betsy Wall, executive director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, said the list shows off the wide variety of places to go and things to do in Massachusetts.
"There are so many wonderful and exciting places to explore in Massachusetts, the list of 1,000 great places gives visitors the opportunity to see the variety and richness the commonwealth has to offer," she said.
Local officials said the list will help spread the word to the rest of the state about the great places area residents already know about.
Hans Schaefer, chairman of the Attleboro Park Commission, said he believes Capron Park Zoo made the list because it is an excellent, low-cost place for families that has been gaining in regional popularity.
"I think it's a marvelous little gem in Attleboro that is family friendly and people love to go there. Somebody finally noticed," he said.
Schaefer said the selection of the zoo by the state committee is a tribute to all the people who have worked hard to improve the zoo.
Ken Butler, executive director of Mansfield Music and Art Society, said he hopes his organization's inclusion on the list draws attention to its theater and art gallery.
"I think it's pretty fabulous. We do have an excellent little theater production here," he said.
The society's Black Box theater is at 377 North Main St. in Mansfield.
The great places commission was created last year by Gov. Deval Patrick and the Legislature.
The commission accepted 14,000 nominations for the list and narrowed the suggestions to the top 1,000.
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