Around Town

Former Recreation Director Tom Sullivan Has Left His Mark on Watertown’s Parks and Youth

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Charlie BreitroseRecreation Department staff current and past: (from left) current Director Peter Centola, Assistant Director Ernie Thebado and former Director Tom Sullivan. From a young age, Tom Sullivan had an interest in parks, athletic fields and gyms. He even took detours on trips to get a closer look at something at a park in another community that caught his eye. On May 3, 1973, Sullivan walked into his office on the top floor of Town Hall (where the Planning Department is now), to start his career as Watertown Recreation Director. He served in that position for 36 years, and continues to lend a hand and provide advice 50 years later. Sullivan had worked for three years at what was known as the Waltham Boys Club prior to taking the job in Watertown.

Around Town

Recreation Department Filling Part Time & Seasonal Staff Jobs

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The City of Watertown sent out the following information:

The Watertown Recreation Department has a number of Part Time and Seasonal Staff Positions available:

Department-CIT-Park Instructor, Department-Jr. Counselor-Park Instructors, Department-Jr. Program Staff, Department-Park Instructor, Department-Park Ranger, Department-Program Staff, Department-Scorekeeper, Department-Ski Program Coordinator, Department-Ski Staff, Department-Special Needs Transportation, Department-Tennis (Other) Coordinator, Department-Tennis Counselor. Pequossette-Director, Pequossette-Associate Director, Pequossette-Assistant Director, Pequossette-Office Manager, Pequossette-Extended Day, Pequossette-Nurse, Pequossette-Specialist, Pequossette-Support Staff, Pequossette-Kitchen Staff, Pequossette-Senior Counselor, Pequossette-Counselor, Pequossette-Junior Counselor, Pequossette-Counselor in Training. If you are looking for employment to begin before the summer season, please complete your application and an interview will be scheduled with the Director of Recreation as soon as your application is completed. For all new applicants, the following documentation must be completed and returned to the Watertown Recreation Department as soon as employment is desired on or before Thursday, May 4, 2023. Applications could be accepted after this date depending on need but cannot be guaranteed.

Government

City Manager Outlines Schedule for Renovating Watertown Parks, Other Capital Projects

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City of WatertownAn aerial view of Victory Field. Multiple projects at the complex are on the City’s five year capital improvement plan. Watertown’s five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) includes preparing the former Parker School to house City departments, upgrades to the skating arena, park and recreation projects, and making municipal facilities more energy efficient and less reliant on fossil fuels. The proposed Watertown Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Years 2024-28 includes $245.74 million in projects and equipment purchases, of which $161.39 million would be funded with general obligation bonds. City Manager George Proakis told the City Council on Tuesday that the numbers could change depending on the rising cost of construction, inflation, and how much tax revenue from new developments (known as new growth) occurs in Watertown.

Around Town

Snow Shovelers Celebrated by Recreation Dept., Spots Available for This Winter

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Watertown Recreation DepartmentWatertown students who participated in the 2021-22 senior snow shoveling program were honored by the Recreation Department. The following information came from the Watertown Recreation Department:

On Thursday, Nov. 10, the Department of Recreation and Senior Center hosted our Snow Shoveling Pizza Party at the Senior Center to thank those middle and high school students who participated in our snow shoveling program last year. 

Each participant enjoyed pizza and refreshments while receiving a specially designed water bottle, a $25 target gift card, a warm and cozy recreation stocking hat and community service.  Four of the students who were in attendance, also won a raffle for Bruins tickets for Sunday night’s Bruin’s game. 

We were delighted to have in attendance our special guest Carol Katz, of the Marshall Home Fund. The Marshall Home Fund has made this all possible by providing a grant to support this program. Special thanks to her and the Marshall Home Fund for supporting this great program and Patrick George and the Senior Center Staff for assisting with this program.  Yes, our favorite “Face of the Recreation Department, Ernie Thebado was there and helpful as usual. We will again be offering this Snow Shoveling Program this year and are hopeful more middle school and high school students will participate. This year, thanks to generous support from the Marshall Home Fund, students will have an opportunity to earn a stipend, along with Community Service and a gift by assisting with snow shoveling in their neighborhood.

Around Town

Students & Seniors Can Sign Up for Snow Shoveling Program, Pizza Party for Last Year’s Participants

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The Watertown Recreation Department announced that signups for the 2022-23 Watertown Snow Shoveling Program. Students can sign up to help an older resident, and Watertown seniors can sign up to have their property shoveled. The Rec Department will throw a pizza party for last year’s participants. The Recreation Department provided the following information:

Snow Shoveling Program

In coordination with the Watertown Middle School, Watertown High School, Recreation Department, Council on Aging/Senior Center, and the Marshall Home Fund, we are offering a snow-shoveling program specifically for our senior residents over age 60, and those who are disabled.  

Watertown Middle School and Watertown High School students are matched with senior residents in their neighborhood and assigned to be responsible for shoveling snow from the sidewalks, steps, and driveways for the duration of the winter season.

Around Town

Bruins, Celtics Tickets Available from Recreation Department, Including B’s Opening Night

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Recreation Department:

The Watertown Recreation Department has Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics Tickets available for sale for the 2022-2023. 

The first game is tomorrow night for the Boston Bruins home opener. Bruins Games

Saturday, October 15th 7:00pm vs. Arizona $ 100

Saturday, October 22nd 1:00pm vs. Minnesota $ 75

Sunday, November 13th 6:00pm vs. Vancouver $ 65

Monday, December 5th 7:00pm vs.

Around Town

Facilities at Watertown’s Casey Park Closed for Renovations

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Charlie BreitroseThe basketball courts at Casey Park will be closed for renovations. The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Recreation Department:

The Casey Park baseball diamond, basketball courts, tennis courts and multi-purpose rink will be closed from August 22 thru August 28 for renovation. The dates might be fluid depending on the weather and other other such items.

The department will update as needed. Please reach out to the department at 617-972-6494 or recreation@watertown-ma.gov if you have questions, comments or concerns. Please consider sharing to you family, friends or coworkers

Around Town

Victory Field Turf Will be Closed Over the Weekend

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown’s Victory Field will be closed on the weekend of Aug. 13 and 14, 2022. The Watertown Recreation Department announced that part of the Victory Field complex will be closed over the weekend. The Rec. Department provided the following announcement:

The Victory Artificial Turf Field is closed this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, August 13 & 14, because of field line painting in preparation for the fall season. The field hockey, football and soccer game fields will be completed and hopefully the logo if time allows.  Thanks to the Parks Department of the DPW for scheduling and coordinating this event.