Watertown Recreation
Kayakers hit the Charles River Saturday thanks to a joint effort by the Watertown Recreation Department and Live Well Watertown.
The Watertown Dock lived up to its name Saturday when scores of people launched onto the Charles River in kayaks, and paddled up and down the waterway.
The kayaks came to Watertown through a joint effort by the Watertown Recreation Department and Live Well Watertown.
Spots in the boats filled up quickly, said Stephanie Venizelos of Live Well Watertown. Recreation Director Peter Centola said 92 people kayaked on Saturday.
The boats were brought to town by Charles River Canoe and Kayak. Their staff gave participants a short lesson before they set out on the Charles.
“About half the people participating had never kayaked before,” Venizelos said. “The reviews were outstanding. Hopefully we will be able to bring it back.”
Watertown Recreation
Kayakers got a lesson from Charles River Canoe and Kayak before getting on the water.
Venizelos of Live Well Watertown said the program began as one for residents age 55+, using a grant the group received from the Marshall Home Fund. The rental price provided the boats all day, so they decided to expand it.
“Peter said, why don’t we open it up to everybody?” Venizelos said.
The Recreation Department is always looking for new activities that appeal to more people of different ages and with different interests.
The event proved so popular, that Centola said he would like to bring the kayaks back to Watertown.
“This was almost like a little pilot program,” Centola said. “We are definitely going to build on this. We could easily do another day like this.”
Watertown Recreation
Kayakers relaxed on the Charles River Saturday during the first program offered by the town.