Around Town

Proposal for Walker Pond Includes Boardwalk, Community Garden, Places for Recreation & for Reflection

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A rendering of the latest proposal for Walker Pond, presented at a Community Meeting on Feb. 5, 2026. (Courtesy of City of Watertown)

Landscape architects presented a vision for Walker Pond, Watertown’s newest outdoor space, where visitors would have different experiences in various parts of the park on the westside of town. The meeting on Feb. 5 was the third one for Walker Pond, and designers presented the preferred design, known as Forest Park.

Government

Watertown Calls Snow Emergency, See What’s Closed

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On-street parking will be prohibited during the Snow Emergency for the storm that could drop more 18 inches of snow on Watertown. Several City facilities will be closed Monday, and trash and recycling will be impacted by the storm. Watertown falls near the area where WCVB Channel 5 forecasts 18 inches of snow. The National Weather Service issued a Blizzard Warning from Sunday at 4 p.m. to Monday at 7 a.m. with sustained winds of 25 mph and gusts up to 54 mph. It will be the first blizzard in the area for four years, according to WCVB.

Around Town

Watertown Library Offering Free Digital Access to The Boston Globe

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Free Public Library:

The Boston Globe and Minuteman Library Network, which includes the Watertown Free Public Library, recently announced a partnership providing their cardholders with access to Boston Globe digital content. This new collaboration continues The Boston Globe’s extensive work with library systems across Massachusetts. Through the partnership, Minuteman Library Network cardholders can sign up for a 72-hour digital pass to Globe.com, accessing Boston Globe journalism, puzzles and games, podcasts, videos, Globe Magazine, and more. A maximum of 500 passes are available on a first come first serve basis, allowing cardholders from across more than 40 member libraries to access Boston Globe content and the Globe E-Paper, as well as an archive of articles extending back through The Boston Globe’s 153-year history. 

Just last year, The Boston Globe announced an expanded partnership with Boston Public Library. With the Globe’s collaboration with Minuteman, MetroWest communities outside Boston, including Westwood, Natick, Cambridge, and Newton, will be able to offer free access to The Boston Globe to library members. 

“At Boston Globe Media, we are always exploring new ways to deepen our connection with the communities we serve in Massachusetts,” said Josh Russell, Vice President of Print Operations at Boston Globe Media.

Around Town

In 2nd Year, Civics Academy Will Teach Residents Even More About How Watertown’s Government Works

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Watertown’s first Civics Academy drew such good reviews that in its second year it will be even longer so that participants can learn even more about how local government works and city departments function. In 2026, the City of Watertown’s Civics Academy will be seven weeks, said Tyler Cote, the City’s Community Engagement Specialist and one of the Civics Academy organizers. “Last year, we did six (weeks) and, to be honest, we ran over just about every single week on time,” Cote said. “Part of that was there’s so much to cover. Our students asked so many questions last year that we wanted to maybe give more space and time for questions, and then also allow more time for activities.”

Around Town

CPR & First Aid Training Offered by Watertown’s Public Health Nurse

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Watertown residents can learn first aid and CPR from Watertown’s Public Health Nurse. See details in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. Get your certificate for CPR and First Aid training with Watertown’s Public Health Nurse!Classes take place at the Parker Building, Suite 3H, 124 Watertown St, and are offered:

March 3, 2026, at 2 p.m.March 10, 2026, at 2 p.m.April 14, 2026, at 2 p.m.April 21, 2026, at 2 p.m.

The fee is $40/person, with a maximum of 6 people per class. Registration is required.Register now. Why Attend?

Around Town

200 Turn Out for “Resist With Love” Standout in Watertown Square

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The Resist with Love Protest in Watertown Square on Feb. 14, 2026. (Photo by Joshua Touster)

The following announcement was provided by Indivisible Progressive Watertown:

On Saturday, February 14th, Valentine’s Day, Indivisible Progressive Watertown and the Watertown Rapid Response Network (WRRN) co-sponsored a Stand Out in Watertown Square called Resist With Love — ICE Out of Watertown. 

Approximately 200 people attended the event which included singing provided by the B-VOCAL Chorus https://bvocalchorus.org/ and a reading of the names of those killed by ICE since January of 2025. The next Indivisible Progressive Watertown/WRRN Standout is scheduled for Sat. March 14th from 10:00 – 11:00 am followed by No Kings Day on Sat.

Around Town

City’s 311 Service Center Can Now be Reached by Text

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People with questions about City government or services, as well as those seeking to report something can now text the City of Watertown’s 311 Service Center, as well as by phone or online. See the announcement from the City, below. 311 Texting has arrived. In addition to calling the 311 Service Center Team by dialing 311 inside of Watertown or 617-458-8311, Watertown residents with non-emergency questions now have the option to text our 311 team at 617-458-8311. You can also email the office at 311@watertown-MA.gov or use the Watertown MA mobile app or visit watertown-ma.gov/reportit.

Around Town

See How Presidents Day Will Impact City Hall, Library, Trash & More

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City Hall, the Watertown Library and trash and recycling collection will be impacted by Monday’s Presidents Day holiday. See details below provided by the City of Watertownn. Please be aware that Watertown City Hall, Parker Building, Senior Center, Department of Public Works Office, and Watertown Free Public Library, will be closed on Presidents’ Day, Monday, February 16, 2026. Please note that there is a one day delay for trash and recycling pickup the week.