Around Town

See How the New Park Along the Charles River is Shaping Up

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The area along the Charles River, east of Watertown Square has a snazzy new look featuring places to sit, look over the river and to appreciated the natural surroundings. Travis Mazerall, the project designer from Sasaki Associates, recently led a tour of the park near the intersection of Charles River Road and Irving Street has been turned into place that can be enjoyed by everyone, including the blind and visually impaired. The path includes wires hung across posts every 20 feet, or so. “Some have indicator beads about the size of a fist, that tell the user what is around, such as if there is a bench across from it,” Mazerall said. The project is being built by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), but is funded by a mix of local non-profits, foundations and some money from the town.

Around Town

People in Need Have Someone to Turn to in Watertown

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For the past year, people who need help heating their home, finding an affordable place to live or getting some extra food have someone to turn to – Danielle DeMoss. DeMoss has served as Watertown’s Social Services Resource Specialist. The position was approved by the Town Council last year, and has been funded by a town charitable fund and local non-profit groups. Since late October 2013, DeMoss has helped 315 residents and received more than 1,200 phone calls asking for assistance. She works with more than 30 town departments, community organizations and churches.

Around Town

Watertown Preschool Embraces Imagination, Nature

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Tucked away in the bustle of Watertown Square sits a place where young children can play, learn and grow. The Russell Cooperative Preschool opened in 1975 and since the early 2000s it has made its home in the basement of the First Parish of Watertown. The preschool is big on parent participation, nature and it encourages children to be creative and use their imaginations, said Director Sara Andrikidis. The cooperative part of the school includes having parents help out at the school regularly. “One parent a day comes in to help with daily tasks, such as snacks, setting up, clean up and getting beds ready for rest time,” Andrikidis said.

Around Town

Watertown Woman Spearheads Effort to Raise Money for Homeless Veterans

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Rather than have a birthday celebration for her 85th birthday, real estate agency owner and Watertown resident Sonia Boyajian decided to raise money to help homeless veterans. Boyajian, who owns Real Estate 109 on the Belmont/Watertown line, asked the owner of Not Your Average Joe’s restaurants, Stephen Silverstein, about doing a month-long fundraiser. “I just couldn’t accept that some of our veterans, who’d served our country, were without places to live,” Boyajian said. Silverstein agreed to have the fundraiser at all 16 for the New England Center for Homeless Veterans of his restaurants and in addition offered to host a ticketed event in the Watertown NYAJs at the end of October to help launch Veterans Month in November. The sold-out fundraiser, held on Oct.

Around Town

Newly Renovated Watertown Park Ready for Fun and Games

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The park behind the new Watertown Police Station has reopened after a renovation and now features a gazebo, a multi-use court and a new tot lot. 

The process to renovate the park, known as 552 Main Street Park, began in 2010, and construction started in March, said Recreation Director Peter Centola. “It seems like a good balance of aesthetically pleasing yet a functional and fun place,” Centola said. The park was built with the help of a $200,000 grant received by the Recreation Department. Children can climb and slide on the new tot lot, and older children can enjoy the multi-purpose court that has basketball hoops and can also be used for activities. The gazebo and other areas will provide places for people to relax.

Around Town

Watertown Resident Named a Beth-Israel Deaconess Trustee

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Watertown’s Phyllis Barajas has become a member of the Trustee Advisory Board of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Barajas was appointed as a trustee at BIDMC’s Annual Meeting. Trustee Advisory Board members serve as advisors to the Board of Directors and officers of BIDMC. Trustee advisors serve on committees of the Board of Directors and identify and involve potential supporters and resources for programs and facilities of the medical center, among other responsibilities, according to an announcement from the medical center. Barajas founded and serves as chief executive officer of Conexión, a 10-month leadership and executive mentoring experience for mid-career Hispanic-Latino professionals, according to the announcement.

Around Town

Find Out How to Help Family of 6 Displaced by Fire

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A fire struck a home on Amherst Road Sunday around noon, and while the fire did not destroy the home the family of six living there will be displaced for several weeks. A fundraising effort has been set up to help the Harsh family. The family has four children, ages 6 to 17, and three of the children are currently staying with friends, according to the GoFundMe.com page set up by Ida Mae Stone, mother of Angela Giard Harsh. Watertown Firefighters responded to the fire that hit the rear of the home. “A quick aggressive attack by truck and engine companies limited the damage to the outside of the structure,” an account on the Watertown Fire Department Facebook page reads. The family lost many possessions and need additional help, according to Stone.

Around Town

Experts Discuss How to Make Communities Friendly to All Ages

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Two people who work toward having communities friendly to all ages and allowing people to “age well” will give a presentation in Watertown on Nov. 5. The “Age-Friendly Communities” event will be presented by Watertown Community Foundation, WatertownTogether, and the Marshall Home Fund. The free event is open to the public, and will be held at the auditorium at the Apartments at Coolidge School, 319 Arlington St. in Watertown from 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov.