Situated along the New York Border, New Canaan enjoys the natural beauty of a hilly terrain with lovely woodland.  Newcomers are drawn to the picturesque New England atmosphere of sprawling parks, church steeples, elegant mansions, stone walls, and rippling ponds.  Exceptionally handsome homes grace the gently sloped terrain, and quaint red-brick buildings punctuate the downtown business district.  Suburban sophistication harmonizes with country charm along the tree-shaded lanes and the quaint town green with its upscale shops and fine restaurants.  Protected open space features hundreds of acres of parkland with wildlife and woodland preserves.  The town offers a wide selection of recreational and athletic facilities, including private clubs, golf courses, tennis courts, and horseback riding trails.  A renowned school system and the acclaimed Silvermine Guild Art Center are just a few of the advantages that set New Canaan in a class of its own.