Around Town

DCR Opening Dealtry Pool Soon, Offering Learn to Swim Program

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The DCR’s Dealtry Pool in Watertown. The Dealtry Pool on Pleasant Street in Watertown will be opening for the season on June 21. More information about pool hours, the learn to swim program and lifeguard openings can be seen below. Pool Opening

The City of Watertown sent out social media posts saying that, according to the Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) website, the Dealtry Memorial Swimming Pool in Watertown will be open from Saturday, June 21, 2025 – Sunday, August 17, 2025, between 11:15 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.

If you have questions about the pool, please contact the DCR Community Relations team at mass.parks@mass.gov or 617-626-4973. Learn to Swim, Life Guard Openings

The DCR sent out the following information:

As part of the agency’s ongoing work to promote water safety at state beaches and pools, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation (DCR) is once again offering free swim lessons to children at DCR pools across the state through its Learn to Swim program.

Around Town

Lane Closures on North Beacon Street Start This Week

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The following announcement was provided the Department of Conservation and Recreation:

DCR Traffic Advisory: North Beacon Street in Watertown

WHAT: On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from Tuesday, June 3, 2025, through Friday, June 6, 2025, from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will close lanes along North Beacon Street from Greenough Boulevard to Charles River Road in the City of Watertown from to accommodate paving and line striping work. Traffic patterns will be clearly marked, and a police detail will be on site.    

WHERE: North Beacon Street from Greenough Boulevard to Charles River Road in the City of Watertown 

WHEN: Tuesday, May 27, 2025, 5 a.m. – 5 p.m. and  Tuesday, June 3, 2025 – Friday, June 6, 2025, 7 p.m. – 5 a.m. 

Around Town

DCR Seeks Lifeguards for Pools and Beaches in Watertown & Other Communities

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The DCR’s Dealtry Pool in Watertown. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) announced a renewed push to recruit lifeguards, swim instructors, and other roles across Massachusetts ahead of the summer season. Certified lifeguard applicants who commit to working at an agency beach or pool through Labor Day can still earn up to $750 in bonuses, in addition to competitive hourly wages ranging from $22 to $27 depending on position and associated certifications.   

“DCR’s beaches and pools welcome thousands of families and residents each summer, and hiring qualified lifeguards is crucial to ensuring a safe and fun experience for all,” said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “Our lifeguards spend their summers outside, made good money, and may even get to save some lives.

Around Town

Traffic Advisory for Roads in and Around Watertown, Including North Beacon Street

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Road work on Department of Conservation and Recreation-owned roadways in and around Watertown will lead to lane closures over the coming weeks, beginning on Sunday, May 11. See more details in the announcements from the DCR, below. DCR Traffic Advisory: North Beacon Street in Watertown

WHAT: Beginning on Sunday, May 11, 2025, and continuing through Monday, June 2, 2025, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will close lanes along North Beacon Street from Greenough Boulevard to Charles River Road in the City of Watertown from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. to accommodate milling and paving work. Traffic patterns will be clearly marked, and a police detail will be on site.    

WHERE: North Beacon Street from Greenough Boulevard to Charles River Road in the City of Watertown 

WHEN: Sunday, May 11, 2025 – Monday, June 2, 2025, 7 p.m. – 5 a.m. 

DCR Traffic Advisory: Gerrys Landing Road in Cambridge

WHAT: Beginning on Monday, May 12, 2025, and continuing through Friday, June 13, 2025, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will close lanes along Gerrys Landing Road from Greenough Boulevard to Mt Auburn Street in the City of Cambridge from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. to accommodate milling and paving work. Traffic patterns will be clearly marked, and a police detail will be on site.

Around Town

DCR Seeks Input on Plans to Improve Playground Along Charles River

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The DCR will host a meeting about plans to improve the Farren Playground and hard courts off Charles River Road, east of Watertown Square. See information below. The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is holding a public meeting on the redesign of the Farren Playground and the adjacent hardcourts. The purpose of the meeting is to inform the public about the proposed improvements to the playground, entry area, and pathways around the playground to make them more maintainable and increase accessibility. DCR also seeks public input on improvements to the hardcourt area to include either renovating the four half-courts as they are, or renovating two, and adding fitness equipment to replace the other two.

Around Town

DCR Hosting Meeting on Potential Removal of Watertown Dam

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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 information was provided by the Charles River Watershed Association:

Watertown Dam, located on the Charles River, is owned and operated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has contracted an engineering consultant to perform an alternatives analysis study for potential future actions at the Watertown Dam. In this community meeting, the DCR project team will present information on the preliminary results of the ongoing study and possible future alternatives for modifying the dam, including its removal.

Around Town

Lane to be Closed on Charles River Road This Week

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The Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation announced lane closures on Charles River Road will for several days. See details in the DCR’s announcement below. Beginning on Sunday, September 15, 2024, and continuing through Saturday, September 21, 2024, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will close a lane on Charles River Road between Riverside Road and Galen Street in the City of Watertown from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. to accommodate National Grid gas main replacement work. Traffic patterns will be clearly marked, a police detail will be on site, and detour signage will be posted.        

WHERE: Charles River Road between Riverside Road and Galen Street in the City of Watertown 

WHEN: Sunday, September 15, 2024, – September 21, 2024, 8 p.m. – 4 a.m. 

Around Town

Section of Greenough Boulevard Will Reopen to Traffic

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A screenshot of a Google Map showing the section of Greenough Boulevard that will reopen after being closed by the DCR for recreation use. It stretches from North Beacon Street to Arsenal Street. The following announcement was provided by the Department of Conservation and Recreation:

Beginning on Monday, August 19, 2024, at 7 a.m. and continuing until Saturday, August 24, 2024, at 7 p.m. the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will reopen Greenough Boulevard from Arsenal Street to N. Beacon Street in the City of Watertown to alleviate traffic from roadwork on Arsenal Street. Beginning on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at 7 p.m. DCR will close Greenough Boulevard between Arsenal Street and N. Beacon Street to accommodate sewer line repair work. While the work is ongoing the parking lots at these intersections will remain open.