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.

Around Town

Registration Open for the 2026 Run of the Charles Paddle Race

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The Charles River Watershed Association announced registration is open for the 42nd Run of the Charles. Boston’s Premier Paddling Race will take place on Sunday, April 26. See details in the announcement from the CRWA, below. Join CRWA for the 42nd Run of the Charles paddling race at DCR’s Artesani/Herter Park, featuring live music, food trucks, a beer garden, and more! Races begin in Brighton and Newton, running through Watertown, Waltham, and Cambridge.

Around Town

Keeping the Charles Clean: A Conversation on Stormwater Innovation in Watertown

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The following announcement was provided by the Charles River Watershed Association:

Join CRWA staff and City of Watertown officials for an in-depth conversation about stormwater — what it is, how stormwater pollution impacts the Charles River, and the major challenges municipalities face in managing it. Learn how Watertown is implementing innovative solutions and leading the way in stormwater management within the Charles River watershed. Where: Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main St., Watertown

When: Thursday, Jan. 29 at 6:30 p.m.

Link to event page: https://www.crwa.org/events/keeping-the-charles-clean-a-conversation-on-stormwater-innovation-in-watertown

Link to register: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/j8j77de

Around Town

State Engineers to Discuss Options for Future of Watertown Dam, Including Removing It

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Charlie BreitroseThe Watertown Dam near Watertown Square slows the flow of the Charles River. A group is advocating removing the dam. The following announcement was provided by the Charles River Watershed Association:

The Watertown Dam on the Charles River is owned and operated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has engaged an engineering consultant to perform a dam removal alternatives analysis study for potential future actions at the Watertown Dam. Join the community meeting this Thursday, November 20, where the DCR project team will present findings from the study and possible future design alternatives for modifications to the dam, including potential dam removal.

Environment

Group Calls for Legislature to “Cut the Crap,” Support Bill to End Sewage Flows into the Charles River

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The Charles River Watershed Association announced that the bill asking to end sewage overflows that drain into the Charles River. There are 10 places where sewage can mix with stormwater and flow into the river, according to the CRWA. None are in Watertown, but one is near Mt. Auburn Hospital in Cambridge and another is in Brighton near the Harvard athletic fields. The bill will be heard by the State Legislature on June 17.

Entertainment

2025 Herring Festival Will be Held Near Watertown Dam

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The 2025 Herring Festival will take place near the Watertown Dam on Sunday, May 18 beginning at 11 a.m. The event is hosted by the Charles River Watershed Association. See more details in the CRWA’s announcement below. Join Charles River Watershed Association for the 2025 Herring Festival! Come and celebrate the annual migration of Alewife, Blueback Herring, and American Shad from the ocean into the Charles River. This free, family-friendly event will feature food trucks, community art activities, guided tours of the Watertown Dam, a live fishing demonstration and fun activities for all ages.

Around Town

Registration Open for the 2025 Run of the Charles Paddle Race

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The Run of the Charles will take place on April 27, 2025, when canoes, paddleboards and kayaks will be paddled down the Charles River, through Watertown and ending in Brighton. Registration is open. See details provided by the Charles River Watershed Association. Run of the Charles

Boston’s Premier Paddling Race

Sunday, April 27, DCR Artesani / Herter Park

Don’t Wait to Register! All skill levels, from beginner to expert, are welcome.

Around Town

Celebrate the Herring Run with Charles River Watershed Association

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The following announcement was provided by the Charles River Watershed Association:

Join Charles River Watershed Association for the 2024 Watertown Dam Herring Festival! Come and celebrate the annual migration of Alewife, Blueback Herring, and American Shad from the ocean into the Charles River. This exciting event will feature live music, community art activities, an Indigenous performance, and engaging activities suitable for all ages. We hope to see you there! RSVP HERE

Join guided walks around the Watertown Dam and explore several booths, including a fishing demonstration by Trout Unlimited, a River of Dreams fish trivia booth, and an art build led by local artist Kari Percival.