Arsenal Park

Lights at Watertown’s Fields and Parks a Priority for Rec Department

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With field space difficult to find in Watertown, Recreation Director Peter Centola told the Town Council Thursday that lighting at fields is one of the main priorities for his Fiscal 2018 budget. 

Some fields would get new lights, while others would get the ones already there in better working shape, Centola said. Finding practice and game time has become a problem for Watetown youth sports groups, so lights would enable the fields to be used longer. Centola noted that discussion about Phase II of the Victory Field renovation is about to start, but is not in his budget for Fiscal 2018. Updating the electrical boxes at Casey Park’s baseball field, Filippello Park and Saltonstall Park are key projects, Centola said. The three are part of one project.

Government

Committee to Begin Discussion of Renovation of Track, Courts at Victory Field

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After more than two and a half years, the discussion about how to renovate the track and courts area of Victory Field will begin once again. 

The Ad Hoc Committee on Victory Field Renovations will meet on Wednesday, May 31 at 7 p.m. in the Council Chamber of Town Hall. The group is made up of two Town Councilors, two Town officials, and five residents representing the surrounding neighborhood and sports groups (see the members here). The committee will discuss what is being called Phase II of the Victory Field renovation. The first phase was the installation of artificial turf on the football/baseball fields at the complex. Artificial turf was among the reasons the first attempt to do Phase II stalled in October 2014.

Sports

Rhythmic Gymnasts from Watertown Gym Claim Gold Medals at International Competition

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On April 29-30, seven rhythmic gymnasts who train at Boston Rhythmic in Watertown, represented the USA by competing in an international competition in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Our Level 4 and 5 girls earned top awards across all age groups. In total, our girls brought home 14 gold medals. The competition hosted elite to beginner gymnasts from ten countries. Boston Rhythmic gymnasts attend this competition each year, because of the warm atmosphere and hospitality offered by the local citizens.

AAU Baseball

UPDATE: Youth Baseball Playing Double Headers Under the Lights, Hosting Cookout

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{CHANGE IN TIME: The Watertown AAU Baseball games originally scheduled for Saturday night will be moved to 11:30 a.m. at Filippello Park. No food will be served.}

Watertown Youth Baseball’s AAU teams will be playing a double header under the lights at Victory Field on Saturday night, and invite the public to come down to enjoy a cookout as part of the fundraiser. Last year, the program started a 12 and under AAU team to give Watertown players better competition, said Ken Swift, coach and founder of the AAU team. This year they added a 10 and under team. They play AAU teams from other towns and programs such as New England Blazers and Northeast Longhorns.

Schools

Watertown Schools Accepting Proposals for WHS’s New Mascot/Logo

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The Watertown Public Schools are seeking a new mascot (i.e. logo) and the Mascot Screening Committee is looking for submissions to be considered. School officials sent out the following announcement:

The Watertown Public School district has begun a process to identify and select a mascot/logo for Watertown High School. The high school has a nickname – the Raiders – and school colors – red, white and black – but it does not have an official mascot/logo. The nickname and school colors provide a common identity and connection to the traditions of the school, teams, and community. A mascot/logo adds to this by presenting a graphic image of that identity and connections.

Sports

Watertown Softball Team Riding a Six Game Winning Streak

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The Watertown High School softball team is on a hot streak, with the Raiders winning their last six games. The season started with four loses, all close games, but then the squad then got on the winning track with a big comeback win over Stoneham. Down 7-1, the Raiders tied the game up and won 9-8 in extra innings. Against Northeast Regional the team again fell behind, this time 6-0, but rallied back to win 11-10. After that the team claimed victories over Weston 15-3, Marian 18-1 and Canton 16-2.

Sports

Group Club Meet in Watertown Each Week for Runs of Various Distances

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Each week a group called the Watertown Pacemakers gather at spots around Watertown to go on runs of various lengths, and they welcome runners of different levels. 

The free community running group was started in January by Jimi Oke, and so far a handful of people have joined them, said fellow group member Cat Sherrill. Runs begin at 7 a.m. on Saturdays, starting at a location in town. “We have several starting locations that rotate weekly (Starbucks on Mt. Auburn St, Panera Bread, Lilly’s Bakery, Linda’s Donuts, Kefi’s Kitchen) and offer 3, 5, 8 and 10 mile runs typically,” Sherrill said. The runs can go other lengths, depending on the starting point.

Boston Marathon

Watertown Woman Ran Toward Danger at 2013 Marathon, Event Still Inspires Her

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Last month, Kelsey Barry ran the Boston Marathon for the fourth time. The 28-year-old Watertown resident also ran in 2013, and it profoundly changed her life. Barry was about five minutes from finishing the Marathon in 2013 when she and other runners came to a sudden stop. At first police and spectators could not provide any information, but a few minutes later word spread that a first b0mb had gone off near the finish line. Unlike others, however, Barry did not flee from the danger.