Earth day events in Franklin POSTPONED to Saturday - Apr 27

Saturday, April 27 from 9 AM to noon

Given the prediction of a 100% chance of rain tomorrow and winds ranging from 10-15 MPH, we've made the decision to reschedule Franklin Earth Day to the following Saturday, April 27th, starting at 9 AM. 

We invite you to join us next weekend for the vital task of tidying up our parks, playgrounds, and Town-owned properties, which are in need of a thorough spring clean. We'll kick off the event with coffee and bagels during registration, and the first 100 registrants will receive complimentary tee shirts. The Department of Public Works will provide saplings for planting. 

The clean up event will be held on Saturday, April 20 at Beaver Pond at 9 AM - 12 PM with the clean up of nearly 40 areas across Town.  Meet at Beaver Pond at 9 AM and pick up your bags/gloves and maps.  

First 100 participants will receive an Earth Day t-shirt.  DPW will be giving away tree samplings, coffee, and bagels. 

• Earth Day Map 
• Earth Day clean up rule

Earth day events in Franklin POSTPONED to Saturday - Apr 27

https://www.franklinma.gov/recreation-department/news/earth-day-2024

 Saturday, April 20 from 10 to 11 AM

Saturday's earth day events have been postponed due to anticipated weather - new dates/times TBD, likely next Sat but waiting for confirmation.

Rise Up will still take place, but at our regular location of the Franklin United Methodist Church, 10-11 AM

Join our community for an accessible earth day event! Seed, Stroll, & Roll along the paved pathway around the Franklin Sculpture Park.

Spreading wildflower seeds and artfully decorating a recycled canvas tote.

This event is free and open to the public.  Seed, Stroll, & Roll is weather permitting, please check our social media channels the day of for updates:

• https://www.instagram.com/franklinculture/
• https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation
• https://alirheaume.com/rise-up
• https://www.franklinma.gov/recreation-department

Brought to you by your Franklin community members: Rise up, Franklin Recreation, Conservation & "Arts, Culture the Creative Economy" Departments.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5gGFc-L96X/

 Saturday, April 27 from 10 to Noon

An event for children and families. Join the conservation Commission, Dept of Public Works, Department of Conservation, Recreation, Friends of Franklin Conservation, Agricultural Commission, Energize Franklin, and others to celebrate our shared earth.

(service hours validated for trash clean up and seeding) 

Location: DelCarte Open Space 

• Woods walk & historical talk 10:30a
• Native bee cocoon harvest demo
• Plant native seeds for turtles
• And bees
• Sign up for compost bins & rain barrels  
• Learn about wildlife, ecology, climate

Earth day events in Franklin

https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/come-celebrate-earth-day-conservation-saturday-april-27-10am-12pm

Earth Month 2024 celebration coordinated by Franklin Recreation, DPW, and Conservation

Earth Day 2024

Recreation, Conservation and DPW

Earth Month 2024 celebration

Join the Town of Franklin Recreation, Conservation and DPW for a month long
celebration of Earth Month.  

The clean up event will be held on Saturday, April 20 at Beaver Pond at 9 AM - 12 PM with the clean up of nearly 40 areas across Town.  Meet at Beaver Pond at 9 AM and pick up your bags/gloves and maps.  

First 100 participants will receive an Earth Day t-shirt.  DPW will be giving away tree samplings, coffee, and bagels. 

• Earth Day Map
• Earth Day clean up rules

On Saturday, April 27, the Conservation Department is sponsoring an event at DelCarte Conservation Area on Pleasant Street from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM.  

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/recreation-department/news/earth-day-2024

Updated Earth Day activities info found here ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/04/earth-day-events-in-franklin-are-not.html

Kayak rental at Beaver Pond coming soon

Coming to Beaver Pond soon will be a self service kayak station with 4 kayaks, paddles, and life jackets. Families can rent kayaks for $25 for 2 hours/$15 for each additional hour, sun up to sun down.  

Plans for a small dock and kayak launch will follow. 

mock up of Kayak rental

Kayak launch video https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=lO6ZcnjjnWw 

More about Beaver Pond's Chilson Beach -> https://www.franklinma.gov/.../beaver-pond-chilson-beach

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/48DwtzpN4pvEnuUV/

Polar Plunge 2024 at Chilson Beach

Some walked, some ran, they took the plunge to start the new year!

Additional photos of the event can be found at

https://photos.app.goo.gl/7ZynTsNBh6FT1h117

Do you have a Dehumidifier (working) to get rid of? Saturday, May 20 from 10 AM to 2 PM

Do you have an old dehumidifier in your basement collecting dust while you procrastinate getting rid of it? This weekend, stop putting off the task and recycle it at a dehumidifier turn-in event in Franklin hosted by the Sponsors of Mass Save. You can receive $30!

 

Here’s what you need to know:

• What: Dehumidifier Turn-In Event
• Where: Chilson Beach | 450 Beaver Street, Franklin, MA 02038
• When: Saturday, May 20, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• Why: Most towns charge residents to recycle appliances. This is a great opportunity to recycle your dehumidifier* for FREE and receive a $30 rebate from the Sponsors of Mass Save!

*Must be a working dehumidifier

Do you have a Dehumidifier (working) to get rid of?

 

Join Franklin resident and State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy, who will be in attendance, and others in helping the environment by cleaning out some storage.

 

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. 

For more details on upcoming events like this one, please visit https://www.masssave.com/residential/shop-products/recycling/dehumidifier.

Celebrate Earth Day This Saturday (note to due weather forecast, event on Sunday has been rescheduled)

Celebrate Earth Day This Weekend!

Join the Franklin Recreation Department for their 2023 Earth Day Clean up event on Saturday, April 22nd from 9 AM - 12 PM at Beaver Pond Turf Complex Parking Lot (450 Beaver Street, Franklin, MA).

Attendees can bring their own gloves if they have them, disposable gloves will be provided for those who need them. Town staff will provide garbage bags and direct folks to the designated clean up areas. You can register for the event online or the day of the event. Register here: https://franklinma.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=29880

Please note, the Earth Day celebration at DelCarte for Sunday, April 23rd, 2023 has been postponed due to rain, rain date is forthcoming.

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/celebrate-earth-day-weekend

Celebrate Earth Day This Saturday (note to due weather forecast, event on Sunday has been rescheduled)

Franklin Cultural District: #artshappenhere Earth Day spreads to the weekend and more

Wednesday, April 19

11:00am - Franklin Q&A (hybrid event) (Franklin Senior Center) 

1:00pm - Senior Scribblers (writing group) (Franklin Senior Center)

1:00pm - "Where's the Toast?" memory café (Franklin Senior Center)

Noteable Blend

7:00pm - Creating a Compelling College Application (virtual) (Franklin Public Library)

7:00pm - Spring Sing Fling - Free Concert from Noteable Blend  (Franklin Public Library)

Thursday, April 20

8:30am - Town Council Office Hours (Franklin Senior Center)

10:00am - Writer's Quiet Space (Escape Into Fiction)

10:30am - Rockabye Beats Concert  (Franklin Public Library)

4:00pm - Artisan Fair (Birchwood Bakery & Kitchen)

Library book & bag sale

Friday, April 21

8:00am - Networking breakfast - Downtown Partnership (Dean College)

1:00pm - Book sale ($1/book) (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm - Mobile Mini Golf  (Franklin Public Library)

5:30pm - David Penza (67 Degrees Brewery)

Saturday, April 22

9:00am - Book Sale ($1/book) (Franklin Public Library)

Earth Day Clean up (Beaver Pond)

9:00am - Earth Day Clean up (Beaver Pond)

10:00am - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:30am - Music at the Blissful Concert  (Franklin Public Library)

11:00am - Silent Saturday (free silent movie showing)

1:00pm - Bag Sale ($5/bag) (Franklin Public Library)

6:00pm - Elastic Five (Live music) (67 Degrees Brewery)

6:00pm - Rotary Comedy Night  (fundraiser, ticketed event)  (Franklin Elks)

7:30pm - Confounded Bridge (live music) (THE BLACK BOX)

Sunday, April 23

Earth Day - DelCarte

9:00am - Earth Day Celebration (DelCarte Open Space)

12:00pm - The Kenny Hadley Big Band Brunch (live music) (THE BLACK BOX)

1:00pm - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

-----------------

The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open for viewing (and purchasing the art displayed) during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

Franklin Art Association Art Gallery

Visit the Cultural District page ->  https://www.franklinculture.org/

Find the full Community event calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26 

Franklin Cultural District: Arts are happening here!

Earth Day 2023 is spread over the weekend here in Franklin

Earth Day 2023 will be a joint effort of Recreation, Conservation, and Franklin Area Moms

Join the Town of Franklin and the Franklin Area Moms Club for a weekend of Earth Day celebrations.  

Starting on Saturday, April 22, 9 AM - 12 PM with the clean up of over 25 areas across Town.  Meet at Beaver Pond and pick up your bags/gloves and maps.  First 100 participants will receive an earth day t-shirt.  DPW will be giving away tree samplings, coffee and bagels.  

Wrap up the day with a Environmental Extravaganza on the Town Common from 11 - 1 PM.  

On Sunday, the Conservation Department is sponsoring an event at DelCarte on Pleasant Street.  

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/recreation-department/news/earth-day-2023

Earth Day 2023 is spread over the weekend here in Franklin

Town of Franklin - DelCarte Conservation Area and Beaver Pond - 2023 OSRP Update

2023 OSRP Update

This email is a reminder that the OSRP focus group meeting for the DelCarte Conservation Area and Beaver Pond is tomorrow, Thursday, April 6 at 6 PM in Council Chambers at Town Hall, on Zoom, and FranklinTV. Can't make it tomorrow? No worries! We will also be hosting OSRP office hours on Friday, April 7 at 10a in Room 326A to recap what was discussed at tomorrow's meeting. 

Looking toward the horizon, the next focus group meeting is on Forests, Trees, Greenspace, and Other Conservation Lands. 

DelCarte Conservation Area and Beaver Pond - 2023 OSRP Update

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow and, as always, don't forget to take and share this OSRP survey - now available until April 30!

Until next time,

Breeka LÍ Goodlander, CWS, PWS, CERPIT

Conservation Agent/Natural Resource Protection Manager

Town of Franklin

Office: 508.520.4929

bgoodlander@franklinma.gov

2023 OSRP Focus Group Meeting - DelCarte and Beaver Pond - Thursday, April 6

2023 OSRP Focus Group Meeting - DelCarte and Beaver Pond - Thursday April 6

The Conservation Commission will hold its Seventh Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) focus group meeting this Thursday, April 6 from 6-7p in Town Hall Council Chambers. This meeting will also be available via Zoom. Zoom login information can be found here. In case you'll miss the Thursday meeting or would like further discussion, you are also invited to attend OSRP Office Hours Friday, April 7 between 10 and 11am in the third floor training room (Room 326A) at Town Hall or via Zoom. Bring your ideas and see you there! 

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/2023-osrp-focus-group-meeting-delcarte-and-beaver-pond-thursday-april-6

DelCarte Recreation

Mark your calendar to help with Earth Day cleanup at Beaver Pond - April 22, 2023

For over 20 years the Town of Franklin has conducted this event in an effort to educate the public on recycling, beautification and general clean up. Help us clean our local parks, roads, schools and town greenery! 

Meet at Beaver Pond parking lot on Saturday, April 22, 9:00 AM where we will distribute trash bags, gloves and maps with clean up sites. 

Free tree saplings will be distributed.

Register today: https://tinyurl.com/28jjfztx

Shared from Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/p/CqIoDO4u62g/

Mark your calendar to help with Earth Day cleanup at Beaver Pond - April 22, 2023

Community Preservation Committee Meeting - March 7 at 7 PM

Community Preservation Committee Meeting

Agenda & Meeting Packet

March 7, 2023 - 7:00 PM

Agenda:

1. Approval of Minutes: February 7, 2023

2. Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Budget

a. FY24 Budget Approval

b. FY24 Project slate

i. Open Space Appropriations

ii. Fletcher Field Playground Improvements - $150,000

iii. Nason Street site work preparation - $25,000

iv. Beaver Street Challenge Course - $150,000

3. Adjourn

The agenda doc has additional supporting info on the CPC budgeting as well as remote participation info ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/cpc_agenda_march_7_2023.pdf

Photos of the Challenge Course taken in Nov 2022 ->

https://photos.app.goo.gl/b77egXDgxSephAK67

Community Preservation Committee Meeting - March 7 at 7 PM

Annual Report Of The Recreation Department - FY 2021

Note: FY 2021 is last year (July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021). The report was prepared to cover the business for the FY 2021 period. This year’s report FY 2022 (July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022) is in preparation now and is normally available for distribution at the polls for the November election.

The Recreation Department is located at 275 Beaver Street, Franklin MA 02038. The Recreation Department offers Franklin residents a variety of programs and activities for youth and adults, as well as coordination of youth sports organizations field use. The department operates and schedules activities for Beaver Pond (beach and turf field), Fletcher Field, Dennis Pisani Softball Field, Henry “Ski” Faenza Tot Lot (Nason Street Tot Lot), King Street Memorial Field (including the pickleball and basketball courts), Dacey Community Field (including disk golf course), and the Meadowlark Lane fields. The department is also responsible for scheduling the use of all school athletic fields with coordination from the Franklin High School Athletics Department. Our department works closely with the various town youth sports organizations and Athletic Director, Tom Angelo and his assistant Susan Jacobson to schedule all youth sports activities around the high school team practices and games.

Chilson Beach

Chilson Beach was open from June 19-August 20, 2021 with a swim at your own risk policy. No lifeguards were on duty. However, we staffed the beach with gate guards to check for residency as the beach remains Franklin residents only. The pond was home to canoeing, kayaking, swimming, fishing, and hiking. 

For information on Chilson Beach and our water testing results, please visit: 

http://www.franklinma.gov/recreation-department/pages/beaver-pond

At the above website, residents can check the water quality and E-coli levels as we run a water quality check every week throughout the summer to make sure it is safe for swimming.

On the turf field at Beaver Pond, we continue to permit soccer, field hockey, flag football, and boy’s lacrosse. The turf field was used for the Franklin Recreation Department’s NFL Flag football program under the direction of Jack Geromini (program coordinator), Franklin Youth Soccer, and Franklin youth boys lacrosse, as well as yoga for senior citizens, tai chi, boot camp, and many other recreational activities. A portable recycled plastic walkway is on site for handicap accessibility to the water edge and playground area. The Franklin High School soccer, lacrosse and field hockey programs play all of their home games on the turf field as well. The turf field was recently resurfaced in 2017 and the field is cleaned, decompacted and tested for GMAX annually.

Recreation Programs Summer Camp

An eight week summer camp was held at King Street Memorial Field from June 29-August 22, 2020. The program hours were Monday-Friday from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm daily. Registration was limited to 50 campers due to COVID-19 restrictions. Activities included: organized games, arts and crafts, water activities, sports, and weekly field trips. The 8 weeks featured camp shirt tie dye on Tuesdays, field trips were canceled this summer, but we continued the fun having a giant slip and slide/water slide every Thursday, and Pizza day Fridays. The Franklin Summer Camp Directors this year were Jonathan Geromini and Tim Shannon. The Franklin Summer Camp staff included: Sasha Arias, Danny Angermeier, Alana Portesi, Danny Brecht, Jared Cain, Jason D’Valentine, Joe Clark, Julia DiGiacomo, Julia Hogan, Tony Calderone, Will Conley, Halle Atkinson and Kelsey MacCallum.

Pre-Season Flag Football Camp ran again under the supervision of Jack Geromini. Jack lea a 3 day camp from 9:00am-12:00 noon for all interested Flag Football Athletes to help them prepare, practice and get excited about the upcoming Fall Flag Football Season.

Youth Basketball Program

The Youth Basketball program was not able to run for the first time in over 30 years due to COVID-19. School gymnasiums were not available to the Rec. Department

 

Pee Wee Baseball

The Pee Wee Baseball program is an introductory baseball program for children ages 4-6 years old. It was created in 1999 by Director, Ryan Jette. The program was reduced to 150 kids in 2020 as a result of COVID-19.

Track and Field

The Recreation Department’s track and field program numbers have increased drastically. On top of offering our annual Winter Track and field program to over 75 athletes ranging from Kindergarten to Eight grade, we are now offering Spring, Summer and now Fall track programs. These running programs are coached by Stacey Federico and she also receives help from High School track athletes.

NFL Flag Football

The Recreation Department teamed up with the NFL to bring this non-contact flag football league to kids aged 6-14 years old. Program numbers saw a dip in 2020 down to 240 kids. The program was run each Tuesday & Thursday evening at the Beaver Pond Turf Field. Reversible NFL game jerseys, playbooks, belt/flag setup and access to the NFL Kids website gives kids the opportunity to follow their favorite player or team. Players learned the fundamentals of throwing, catching, running and teamwork. This program continues to be one of the best programs the Recreation Department runs and its because of our program coordinator, Jack Geromini who has been supervising this program for 19 years.

 

Girls Lacrosse

The girls lacrosse program has grown from 28 girls to over 150 girls. In 2020, our teams did not participate due to COVID-19. However, we typically participate in the Founders League. This league provided better competition for our growing players. There were 2 teams at the 1st-2nd grade division. There were 3 teams at the 3rd & 4th Grade division. There were 3 teams at the 5th & 6th Grade level. And there were 2 teams at the 7th & 8th Grade level. All levels play in 8 regular season games. Franklin Girls Lacrosse is one of the largest girls’ lacrosse programs in the area.

 

NHL Street Hockey

This summer, our street hockey program was very popular with over 110 kids and 8 NHL teams represented. We hold a skills clinic for the first four sessions to evaluate the player skills. Then, we break them up into equal teams so that games will be fair and fun for all. Teams play twice a week, Monday and Wednesday’s. Jack Geromini is the league coordinator with the help of FHS hockey team players. Our Street Hockey program participated at the new Fletcher Field rink.

Girls Field Hockey

Franklin Recreation offers girls youth field hockey in many formats throughout the year. The fall (August- October) are usually the months that the field hockey leagues We work closely with the FHS Assistant Coach, Kim Carney to coordinate clinics, field usage, games. The K-2 division, an in house program features practice sessions and some in house small sided games. The 3rd & 4th grade team will play some scrimmages/games against area teams (probably 4-6 games). The 5th & 6th and the 7th & 8th grade teams will play in the Commonwealth League with 8 games vs. surrounding towns. 100+ girls comprise eight teams for the fall Field Hockey League.

Golf Lessons

The Recreation Department expanded the golf lessons offered into the summer months, by offering a full or half day camp in the summer. The Recreation Department, in conjunction Maple Gate Country Club, offered Adult and Junior Golf instruction. The lessons covered all aspects of the game of golf (putting, chipping, bunkers, irons, and woods). Registrants met one day a week for 6 weeks to practice their skills. Lessons were offered during the summer and fall season for over 50 residents attending. Express 2 day lessons were offered over April Vacation. Participants enjoyed playing the course following the six-week lesson to see what they learned.

ArtVenture Afterschool Studios

Art instructor; Kerry LeBlanc has flourished our arts department. With over 100+ children ranging from Pre-k to Middle School have signed up to take one of the many diverse art programs. ArtVenture Afterschool Studio, Artventure Preschool Studios, Art Summer Camp. All art programs are held at the Recreation Department.

Preschool Programs

Our Preschool classes are held in the mornings from 9:00am to 11:30am. The Recreation Department has two certified preschool instructors on staff; Nicole Nesbit and Emily Dandurand. Nicole and Emily teach our First Friends programs; Exploration Station, First Friends, First Friends Lunch Bunch and More Fun with Friends. They hold class’s Monday through Thursday and yearly roughly 440 children sign up to take their programs.

Preschool Science Programs taught by Christina Tocci and Christina Burkeholder. These programs explore the environment in which we live in, the human body and much more.

Children’s Programs

Our children’s programs vary from Rocketry and Engineering classes to Girls on the Move, Home Alone Safety and Social Netiquette classes. We have a core niche of students who enjoy working with their hands during our Robotics, Robotics II, Robotic Arm and Rocketry programs. We also offer a female only running program where goal setting is the primary focus along with nutrition and running. Home alone safety and social netiquette classes teach children the ways to stay safe home alone and when they are using the internet.

 

Rec Gym Programs

With the addition of our new Recreation Gymnasium, we were able to implement an extremely popular sport, played by many around the United States; Pickleball. We offer this program three out of the four season inside at our new gymnasium where we have 2 full pickleball courts. During the summer months we offer pickleball outside our new courts at King Street Memorial Field. We also acquired 2 indoor batting cages for baseball training for youth baseball teams to utilize. Some other popular programs for middle school athletes that utilize the new gymnasium are volleyball, speed & strength, street hockey, tennis, indoor field hockey, to name a few.

Parks and Playgrounds

Other Recreation Department initiatives included the coordination of Eagle scout projects for trail maintenance and kiosk construction. The department coordinated the Community Gardens at King Street Park. Vendetti Motors donated a brand new playground at Beaver Pond in memory of Joe and Mary Vendetti.

King Street Memorial Park

We also worked on a capital project to renovate the King Street Memorial Park by building pickleball courts, basketball court, baseball field, scoreboard and batting cages, as well as install new components at the playground.

 

Disc Golf

Our Disc Golf course located at Dacey Field off of Lincoln street has become a popular destination for many out of town and even out of state players. In 2010,  Director  of  Recreation,  Ryan  Jette  and Assistant Town Engineer, Jay Mello were the energy behind the building and engineering of the Disc Golf Course. This 18 hole course is over 100 acres behind a multi-use town park. Many events take place at Dacey Field Disc Golf course to instruct and teach new players the popular growing sport.

For more information, visit: 

http://www.franklinma.gov/recreation-department/files/fields-playgrounds

The full Annual Report for 2021 can be found

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/2021_annual_report.pdf

The collection of Annual Reports can be found online

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/town-franklin-annual-reports

Annual Report Of The Town of Franklin - FY 2021

Info on the clothing drive scheduled for Saturday was left off the mailer; as you drive to recycle Saturday don't forget the clothing!

In addition to the items mentioned Monday for the Recycling and Energy Drive scheduled for Saturday, May 21 at Beaver Pond/Chilson Beach - Clothing is also being collected. 

DPW Director Brutus Cantoreggi has this message to provide the update on Project Just Because (https://www.projectjustbecause.org/)

Shared from Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10158756305096313&id=730296312&sfnsn=mo

Or view the embedded Facebook post here ->

In case you missed the mailer (via US Postal Service) 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/05/get-ready-for-saturday-may-21-recycling.html

as you drive to recycle Saturday don't forget the clothing!