02038.com » Recreational Resources

Pick your own apples and pumpkins this fall!

Warren Reynolds — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 10:22:39 +0000

Fall weekends in Massachusetts are often cool, crisp and sunny – a perfect opportunity to take the kids out to pick apples or pumpkins!

Below are links to some popular farms accessible from the I-495 region of Massachusetts that offer pick your own (PYO) apples and pumpkins.

Please call ahead to make sure there are crops still in the field on the day you plan to visit.

Fairmount Fruit Farm
887 Lincoln Street, Franklin, MA 02038
508-533-8737
Fairmount

Wojcik’s Farm
65 Milk Street, Blackstone, MA 01504
508-883-9220
Wojcik’s

Apple picking at Wojcik’s has ended for 2011. There are still pumpkins to be picked.

Jane and Paul’s Farm, Inc.
33 Fruit Street, Norfolk, MA 02056
508-528-0812
No website

Keown Orchards
9 McClellan Road, Sutton, MA 01590
508-865-6706
Keown

Berlin Orchards
310 Sawyer Hill Road, Berlin, MA 01503
978-838-2400
Berlin

Belkin Family Lookout Farm
89 Pleasant Street, Natick, MA 01760
508-651-1539
Lookout Farm

Dowse Orchards
98 North Main Street, Sherborn, MA 01770
508-653-2639
Dowse

C.N. Smith Farm, Inc.
325 South Street, East Bridgewater, MA 02333
508-378-2270
C.N. Smith

Other ideas for family fun

Click the link to see other suggestions for things to do this fall in MA – I hope you can get out and enjoy this fall!

Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club marks 40 years of service

Warren Reynolds — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 12:10:44 +0000

Not just for newcomers! That’s the message being stressed this month by the Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club. The Club is celebrating 40 years of service in Franklin and offers everyone an opportunity to get involved, share some interests, develop some new friends and make a difference in the Franklin community.

Get involved!

You have an opportunity to get acquainted with this fun group Wednesday, October 12 at the upcoming meeting of the Club. The gathering will be held at 7:30 PM at the popular 3 Restaurant, 461 West Central Street, Franklin, MA.

Talk by Franklin Town Administrator

Jeff Nutting, Franklin, MA’s Town Administrator, will make a presentation on the planned construction of the new Franklin High School and other current events in town. There will be free hors d’oeuvres and non-alcoholic drinks. A cash bar also will be available.

Service to the community

The Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club is a social organization that supports the Franklin community through fundraisers and charitable activities. It welcomes new arrivals in Franklin as well as all long-term residents. The Club affords members opportunities to socialize, share interests and help others.

Take advantage of this opportunity and go to the meeting October 12, 2011 – get involved!

Save money with DIY Halloween costume ideas

Warren Reynolds — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 09:41:46 +0000

It’s easy to spend $20 to $30 per child buying Halloween costumes every year. The outfits are often used once and then languish somewhere in your basement or attic. That’s a wasteful practice that really adds up to a considerable expense over time.

Why not give homemade costumes a try this Halloween? You’ll save money and if you can get the little ones involved in the creative process, they’ll have fun . . . and maybe will learn a valuable lesson about thrift!

DIY costumes can be easy or elaborate – you choose!

Below are sites with lots of DIY Halloween costume ideas. Some suggestions seem complex and challenging enough to be worthy of Martha Stewart, but other costume projects appear not to require sewing or much skill – just some creativity!

Family Fun @ Go

Costume Idea Zone

Halloween Forum

Family Crafts @ About

Robin’s FYI

Homemade costume success

I hope home-produced costumes turn out well for you. Have a successful, safe and financially sensible Halloween!

Fabulous family fun for Fall in MA

Warren Reynolds — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:24:53 +0000

The change of seasons in Massachusetts brings colorful leaves, crisper weather and many opportunities for family fun activities. So if you’re looking for ways to create some lasting autumn memories for the kids, read on!

King Richard’s Faire
235 Main Street
Carver, MA
508-866-5391
King Richard’s Faire
Through October 23, 2011

Celebrating 30 years, this mainstay of fall family fun in Massachusetts recreates a medieval fair in a child-safe setting with plenty of color, fun and excitement. Sample life in this long-ago time as you enjoy exhibitions of jousting, try your skills at archery, axe throwing and other period games and indulge in some fun feasting. There’s a lot for the kids to see and do and it’s fun for adults too!

Witch’s Woods
79 Powers Road,
Westford, MA 01886
978-692-3033
Witch’s Woods
Through October 31, 2011

The Nashoba Valley Ski Area in Westford comes alive (or undead?) with Halloween fun in October. There’s a haunted hayride and some scary walk-throughs, including a spine chilling castle, a morbid mansion and a creepy crypt in “3D”. Parking is free and there are many special events.

A Day in Pompeii
The Museum of Science, Boston
1 Science Park, Boston, MA 02114
617-723-2500
A Day in Pompeii
Through February 12, 2012

What better way to get in the mood for Halloween than to see up close and in person the body casts of victims buried alive during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE? For the less morbid among us, here’s a rare chance to take the kids to experience daily life in an affluent Roman town as it was at the vibrant height of the Empire.

Edaville USA
GPS address:
5 Pine Street, Carver, MA 02330
508-866-8190
Edaville
Through January 1, 2012

Parents throughout the Bay State can breathe a sigh of relief: Edaville has resumed operation! Beloved by generations of children, the train-themed special events park in Carver, MA has a full schedule for Fall 2011 and the 2011-2012 Holiday season.

October 2011 highlights include:
Thomas the Tank Engine
October 7, 8, 9, & 10

Cat in the Hat and Curious George
October 15 and 16

Berenstain Bears
October 22 and 23

Ghost Train
October 29 and 30

Note: the Ghost Train is for older children – no one under age 8!

Pick-your-own blueberries in Franklin, Massachusetts (MA)

Warren Reynolds — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 22:17:36 +0000

The Gianettis’ U-Pick Blueberries has been a summertime staple for family fun in Franklin, MA for years! Located just off Exit 16 on I-495 , the pick-your-own farm is at 557 Union Street in Franklin, Massachusetts.

How to get there

Get off Route 495 at Exit 16.

Head east on King Street to Union Street. Turn left and drive north about 600 feet.

The Gianettis’ U-Pick is across Union Street just north of the intersection with Loretta Road.

There is plenty of free parking.

Video of a day picking blueberries

Here’s a video of a recent day at the Gianettis’ U-Pick in Franklin, MA:

Exploring the rows and finding ripe berries

The Gianettis’ U-Pick has what looks to be about 6 acres of blueberry bushes. There are 7 varieties of blueberries, each with its own distinctive taste.

The long rows of tall bushes makes for a maze-like experience.

You get to explore and wind through the rows, looking for clusters of ripe berries.

Knowing what blueberries to pick

You want to pick the firm, all blue berries. It’s wise to eat one off the bush before picking, to make sure the taste is sweet.

Skip the green, unripe berries and the over-ripe soft purple ones.

Buckets of fun, especially for the kids

The farm loans you buckets and gives you the plastic bag liners.

You supply the hands and the fun!

Limited season

Gianettis’ is open to the public only during the blueberry season which runs typically from mid-July to the end of August.

The hours are limited to Fridays and Saturdays from 8 AM to 4 PM.

It is well worth the visit – my family had a wonderful time!

Click the link to see the many recreational resources Franklin, MA residents enjoy – Franklin is a great place to call home!

How to find play groups and mothers’ clubs serving Franklin Massachusetts (MA)

Warren Reynolds — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:09:36 +0000

“K.G.” recently visited 02038.com and asked how she might find mothers’ clubs and play groups for young children in Franklin, MA.

One excellent resource for parents looking for ready access to play groups and robust networking and support resources for moms would be the aptly named MOMS Clubs of Franklin, Massachusetts.

MOMS Clubs of Franklin, MA

Two MOMS Clubs in Franklin

There are 2 official MOMS Clubs in Franklin: one for the north and one for the south parts of town.

Each club has a roster of active playgroups. A volunteer at each club will help match you to a play group that is right for your kids. Playgroups typically get together weekly at members’ homes on a rotating schedule.

South Franklin MOMS Club

The southern Franklin club provides services for residents who live in Franklin’s southerly elementary school districts (Jefferson, Davis Thayer, Oak, Parmenter). The website gave Emily Dixon as the person to contact for answers to questions about joining the south group: elmdixon@comcast.net

North Franklin MOMS Club

The northern Franklin club serves residents in Franklin’s northerly elementary school districts (Keller and Kennedy). Amy Mosher was cited on the site as the person to contact: apmosher@yahoo.com

Other groups in Franklin, MA

There are other support organizations for parents and children located right in Franklin, Massachusetts.

One such group is:

Franklin Newcomers and Friends

The club stresses it is not just for newcomers and provides members with a wide range of activities for kids and adults as well. The group invites anyone interested in learning more to attend a meeting or send an email to franklinnewcomers@hotmail.com

Another support network in Franklin for mothers and kids is:

Franklin Moms Meetup

This group is definitely Web 2.0 friendly! Simply join from the site or from Facebook – $25 per year membership

Other mother and children support groups for Franklin, MA residents

There are other moms’ clubs serving the central and southerns areas of Route 495 that include Franklin in their outreach services:

Mothers & More

As well as this national network with a local chapter operating out of Attleboro, MA:

Mothers of Preschoolers – MOPS

Other resources available to mothers and families in Franklin

Please remember that the many places of worship in Franklin, MA offer a variety of help, guidance and support to parents with young children.

And the Franklin Recreation Department and the YMCA and other sports and country clubs in Franklin each have a wonderful array of programs for families.

Family fun activities for kids in Franklin, MA

Warren Reynolds — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:08:42 +0000

As the warm weather returns, people caring for young children will be on the lookout for fun activities for the preschool set. And once the school year ends, there’ll be lots of free time to fill for kids of all ages.

Susan F. recently asked 02038.com about activities for young children at the Franklin Public Library:

“I was wondering if you know of any programs designed for 4 year old children. We are new to the area and are interested in what the library has to offer for kids.

Thank you.”

Lots to do with kids in Franklin, Massachusetts

To help everyone find solutions to the sometime pressing need for safe and fun things to do with the kids, here’s a list of just some of the many organized activities, playgrounds and other outdoor places for family fun in Franklin, MA.

Just click on the images or hotlinks below to access helpful information. If anyone has other ideas, please share them in the comments section – and thank you for your question, Susan!

Franklin, MA Public Library

Click the image above or the hotlink to access information on programs for children at the Franklin, MA Public Library. The Library has some interesting history and a beautiful interior, too.

Franklin, Massachusetts Recreation Department

Click the image above or the hotlink to access information on programs for children sponsored by the Franklin MA Recreation Department. Franklin has what I honestly believe is one of the best municipal recreation departments in Massachusetts!

Franklin, MA Hockomock YMCA

Click the image above or the hotlink to access information on programs for children at the Franklin, MA Hockomock YMCA. Franklin is very fortunate to be host to such a vibrant YMCA.

Youth Sports in Franklin, MA

Click the image above or the hotlink to access information on the many organizations sponsoring youth sports programs in Franklin, MA – there are organized sport activities in Franklin, MA for boys and girls of all age and skill levels!

Nason Street Tot Lot, Franklin, MA

Click the image above or the hotlink to access information on the delightful “Tot Lot” playground for young children on Nason Street in Franklin, MA. Lots of early childhood memories in the making here!

Dacey Fields Playground Franklin, MA

Click the image above or the hotlink to access information on the playground and ball fields at the Dacey Community Fields off Lincoln Street in Franklin, Massachusetts.

Fletcher Field Recreation Area

Click the image above or the hotlink to access information on the playground and ball fields at the Fletcher Field Recreation Area in Franklin, MA.

King Street Memorial Playground, Franklin, MA

Click the image above or the hotlink to access information on the playground and ball fields at the King Street Memorial Playground in Franklin, MA.

Beaver Pond Recreation Area, Franklin, MA

Click the image above or the hotlink to access information on the outdoor swimming, playground and ball field at the Beaver Pond Recreation Area, Franklin, MA.

Walking trails in Franklin, Massachusetts

There are quite a number of places to take the kids for a walk in Franklin, MA - you’ll find trails in woods and around scenic ponds.

My favorites include Indian Rock (great spot for a picnic) and the DelCarte Conservation Area (nice water views and wildlife).

The State Forest in Franklin, MA has bike trails as well.

Please feel free to suggest other good ideas for family fun in Franklin, MA – your comments are welcome!

Franklin, MA Recreation Dept announces spring-summer 2010 programs for kids

Warren Reynolds — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:09:39 +0000

For 2010, Franklin, MA’s Recreation Department has come up with a wonderful array of spring and summer programs for young children. Franklin residents are very fortunate to have such a robust and creative Recreation Department!

Great programs for kids

The Franklin Recreation Department offers a wide range of programs for children and adults. The Recreation Department devotes a lot of effort making sure there’s alot to do for the younger child in Franklin.

Click on the above image or the hotlink to download a special excerpt from the Recreation Department’s 2010 program guide focusing on activities for young children.

Many activities for the very young

It’s nice to see the needs of young children being addressed in so fully in the Franklin, MA Recreation Department offerings for the spring and summer of 2010.

From Sports for Tots, Tumbling Twos and Girls on the Run to the more traditional Pew Wee baseball, basketball and street hockey, parents and caregivers with young children will find wholesome physical activities for the little ones.

There’s even a summner camp in the works for children from 2.5 years through age 5.

Here’s a sincere “Thank you” to the Recreation Department in Franklin, Massachusetts!

First snowfall of the year in Franklin, MA

Warren Reynolds — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 22:45:31 +0000

Snow came a bit early this year to Massachusetts. Several inches of powdery snow fell overnight December 5 – 6, 2009. Here are some photos showing how pretty things looked Sunday morning in Franklin, MA.

Plenty of nature in a populous community

For a densely populated community with a substantial business and industrial base, Franklin is blessed with a surprisingly diverse array of quality recreational resources, including nature trails and conservation areas and two large forests.

I took some time off in the morning Sunday to walk with my three year old son through a large 42 acre conservation area in the northern part of town.

Early winter wonder land

I snapped some photos of some very striking snow-covered scenery.

The snow stuck in the branches of trees and bushes, creating a “winter wonderland effect.”

Please see the photo gallery below for all the shots.

Wildlife at pond

My son and I went to a large pond at the center of the conservation area.

There we surprised a large gathering of what looked to be migratory geese resting on their way south for the winter.

Nature’s beauty and the conveniences of modern civilization close together

It was wonderful for my three year old to see some of the beauties of natural New England in winter so close to home.

And that’s just one of the many things that make Franklin, Massachusetts so special!

Franklin offers a hard-to-surpass mix of rural New England recreational resources combined with easy access to a world-class outlet mall, plentiful premium and discount shopping, commuter rail service to Boston, and the many restaurants and bars that you’d expect to find in a heavily populated suburban city right on Interstate 495 – Franklin, MA enjoys the best of both worlds!

[Show as slideshow]

CNN/Money.com Loves Franklin, MA!

Warren Reynolds — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 12:33:26 +0000

Franklin, MA enjoys a rare combination of an attractive business environment supporting cutting-edge businesses such as telecom, biotech, and software development coupled with a high quality of life and ample access to nature and leisure activities.

This led CNN/Money.com recently to rank Franklin, MA as one of the “Top Ten Places to Live and Launch” in the United States.

CNN/Money.com named Franklin, MA is one of only ten towns in all of the United States which offer “the best mix of business advantages and lifestyle appeal”!

The designation by CNN/Money.com is very relevant for anyone looking to settle in a good community in Massachusetts.

Franklin, MA has a lot to offer and should be on everyone’s short list of towns to buy a home in!

Click here to see 100s of homes and condominiums for sale right now in Franklin, MA!