Around Town

City May Explore Leasing DCR Pool, Park Along Charles River

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The DCR’s Dealtry Pool in Watertown. Watertown officials may seek to lease the Dealtry Pool and Cannalonga Park and increase the staffing and improve maintenance of the facilities along the Charles River. During a visit to the City Council by Watertown’s House members on May 26, State Rep. John Lawn raised the possibility that the City of Watertown may be able to work out an agreement with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to lease the Dealtry Pool and Cannalonga Park. The pool is located near the Watertown Dam off Pleasant Street and has a swimming pool, a wading pool and locker rooms. Cannalogna Park has a parking lot near the Riverworks building, and has tennis courts that have become a popular spot for pickleball, a pavilion, and an area of trees and natural landscape. The DCR had a listening session about the park in 2022.

Around Town

New Public Art Opens in Area of Watertown Facing Years of Road Construction

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“Transitions” by MASARY Studios, one of the new art installations in Coolidge Square. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Coolidge Square, the heart of East Watertown, will be a construction zone for the next few years, but the area has a pair of new public art pieces to bring a little joy to the area that will endure the chaos of road and sidewalk replacement. https://youtu.be/Yud2pRsSWrU

The project, called “Open for Business,” includes “Transitional,” which incorporates materials you might find in construction — sheets of aluminum and the white and yellow reflective tags used on roads — to create a piece that changes as you look at it from different angles. The piece was created by MASARY Studios, which also produced the Solstice light show at Mount Auburn Cemetery. “Transitional” is on the wall on the side of Coolidge Hardware, on Kimball Road at the corner of Mt.

Around Town

Charles River Ferry Taking Shape — Wada Hoppah Will Soon Take to the Water

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Drew Rollert, founder of Wada Hoppah, standing on the nearly completed Charles River ferry. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

CONCORD — Three years of dreams and a year-and-a-half of design and labor is coming together in the form of the first modern ferry built to navigate the Charles River. Drew Rollert, founder of Wada Hoppah, recently showed Watertown News the nearly completed boat at Inriver Tank and Boat’s production facility in West Concord. The idea of a water service from Watertown to Boston came three years ago when he and a group’s effort to get to Fenway Park by reasonably priced Uber or MBTA bus for a Red Sox game were thwarted. With the idea hatched, Rollert needed a boat.

Government

City Council Passes Budget, Now Await Legislature’s Decision on Tax Relief

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Watertown City and State officials appeared before a joint committee at the State House on Jan. 27, 2026. Pictured, from left, Steve Owens, George Proakis, John Lawn, Earl Smith, and Mark Sideris. The City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2027 budget, but the City’s financial future could be darkened if the State does not approve a tax relief legislation submitted by the City. The Council unanimously approved the $226.21 million budget on Tuesday night without any changes from the one presented by City Manager George Proakis in April.

Sports

Gold Kings Hockey Will Face New Foes Next Season, League Gets New Name

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The Boston Gold Kings will host a pair of new additions to their league at John A. Ryan Arena in 2o26-27. (Courtesy of the Boston Gold Kings)

The Boston Gold Kings made it all the way to the finals for the second year in a row in 2025-26, this time falling in the last round. The Watertown-based hockey team will have more competition in 2026-27, as the league expands. Gold Kings General Manager and Director of Hockey Cameron Labrecque said the team followed its 2024-25 Championship season with another strong performance, falling to the Hudson Valley Reapers in the finals. “I think this was a very successful year.

Around Town

Sacrifices of Veterans Remembered at Memorial Day Ceremony; Importance of Veterans Benefits Discussed

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Members of Watertown Veterans organizations hold the flags during the 2026 Memorial Day Ceremony at Victory Field. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

For former Marine George McMasters Memorial Day gives him mixed feelings, and is a time when he can remember his compatriots who were lost in battle. The Watertown resident spoke during the Memorial Day Ceremony at Victory Field, held after Monday’s Memorial Day Parade. “I have mixed feelings. It’s kind of a sad day for me,” McMaster said.

Around Town

Community Food Drive Aims to Help Restock Watertown’s Food Pantries for Summertime Need

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

The Watertown Community Foundation will host their annual city-wide food drive during Watertown Helps Out from May 26 – June 9, in collaboration with the City of Watertown. This year’s food drive is sponsored by ButcherBox, the Watertown based direct-to-consumer meat and seafood brand. “The rising cost of food and changes to federal benefit eligibility have made local food access programs, especially Watertown’s food pantries, more important than ever for many residents. Food donations tend to slow down over the summer compared to the holiday season, so extra community support is especially meaningful during this time,” said Jenna Bancroft, the City of Watertown’s Human Services Director. This summer food drive will collect kid-friendly foods and snacks, in addition to important non- perishables and hygiene supplies to keep kids and families healthy all summer-long.

Around Town

See Who Will March in Watertown’s Memorial Day Parade, the Parade Route

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Watertown veterans marched in the 2024 Memorial Day Parade. (Photo by Natalie Nigito Photography)

The 2026 Memorial Day Parade, featuring Watertown veterans, youth sports, and other community groups, will be held on Monday, May 25, beginning at noon. A ceremony with Watertown’s veterans group will take place at the end of the parade. Each year, Watertown pays tribute to current and past veterans during the Memorial Day Parade. The procession begins at noon.