What you can donate

The drive will accept bicycles that are usable as is, or which could do with repairs or refurbishment, and even bikes that are good only for parts. Just no rust, please!

Eagle Scout project

The bike drive is being held by Franklin High School senior Alex Gardenier, who is an Eagle Scout candidate with Boy Scout Troop 99. He is conducting the bike drive to benefit the charitable organization Bikes Not Bombs.

Pick-up service

Can’t get your bikes to the drop-off area at 275 Beaver St on October 24? No problem! Alex is offering a donation pick-up service – he’ll come to you! Just email him at:

FranklinBikeDrive@gmail.com

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Where to park and access Riverbend

In terms of getting to Riverbend, the good news is that there is ample parking for vehicles.  The bad news is that, as of this writing, there is no sign on Lincoln Street marking the location of Riverbend’s vehicle entrance point.

To find the entrance to Riverbend, look for the large metal electric utility towers and the Fairmount Fruit Farm property at 887 Lincoln Street.  The Riverbend access drive is on Lincoln Street, opposite from where the landscaping and mulch operations at the Farm are sited. The parking area itself is easy to find; just proceed along the access drive. There is an information kiosk at the trailhead (although it lacked any notices at the time of a recent visit to the site).

Trail map

Tap/click on the hotlink at right or in the image below to download the trail map for the Riverbend Hiking Trails in Franklin, MA.

Over a mile of trails currently exist at Riverbend. An additional half-mile of additional trails are proposed. (See the dotted lines in the above map.)  The new trails would open over a fifteen hundred foot stretch of the Charles’ riverbank to hikers, affording much better views of the water and wildlife. The opportunity to fish or launch canoes/kayaks from the riverbank seems feasible. (Based on tire marks visible on the existing trails, it appears that mountain bikes and/or off-road motorcycles are currently being used at Riverbend.)

Steep descent to river

Part of the proposed trails include a switch-back descending the steep gradient down to the riverbank. 

The switchback would be a very helpful improvement over the fairly sharp decline to the Charles River that the current trail entails.  (This decent is deceptively steep, so take care walking down the current access trail to the riverbank.)

Video of the Riverbank Hiking Trails

Below is a short video taken during a recent visit to Riverbend:

Views of the Charles River

There is only a limited section of riverbank currently accessible by the existing trail.

Because of the dam downstream at the Sanford Mill condo complex, the river is languid and peaceful.

Cutting through the woods heading east along the shoreline does lead to another open stretch of riverbank.

This section of the riverbank provides a view of the “Swimming Rock” mentioned in publications issued by the Town of Medway concerning Medway’s Amphitheater Trail.

Medway’s Amphitheater property is directly across the Charles from the Riverbend parcel.

Condition of the trails at Riverbend

Riverbend’s existing trails sometime have the look and feel of a work in progress. Some of the trails are broad and well-delineated. Other sections of trail can be hard to discern. (That’s when the trail map comes in handy.)

You get to walk through fragrant pine woods and see old stone walls. Some small areas of the trail were muddy during a recent visit. In planning your visit to Riverbend, insect repellent is a good accessory to pack!

Franklin’s other trail and open-space resources

Given its potential to create opportunities for recreational access to the Charles River, the Riverbend property is a strategic addition to Franklin, Massachusetts’ wonderful array of outdoor recreational resources. Franklin’s investments in open space pays significant dividends in terms of the superb lifestyle town residents enjoy. This is just one of the many reasons to buy a home in Franklin, MA!

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Awkward, unmarked Prospect Street crossing poses danger and inconvenience

As it currently exists, the Trunkline Trail’s crossing at Prospect Street is always awkward, sometimes difficult, and can be potentially dangerous.  The planned underpass is a sensible solution to a complicated challenge.

Prospect Street in Franklin is a winding country road that retains the rural flavor of Franklin’s agricultural past. While not a major artery, the road is a through-street connecting a broad area of the southern and western region of town, so it does get fairly heavy traffic volume.  Vehicles can move quickly along this road.

There’s a sharp curve in the road as Prospect Street approaches the Trunkline Trail from the north. Drivers in fast-moving cars can quickly come unawares upon SNETT users crossing the road.

What’s worse, the SNETT crossing at Prospect Street is completely unmarked.  There is no road signage warning traffic of the Trunkline Trail’s crossing, no zebra-striped crosswalk, nothing denoting that there can be at times someone crossing the road at this spot.  It’s essentially crosser and driver beware!

Steep roadbed creates slippery slope

The Trunkline Trail’s crossing of Prospect Street is further impacted by the street’s raised roadbed at its junction with the Trunkline Trail.

The above image shows SNETT”S approach to Prospect Street from the west.  From news reports on the issue, there used to be a Prospect Street bridge that crossed over the sunken tracks of the railroad when it was in operation.  When rail service was discontinued, the bridge was demolished and the cutting was filled in, creating Prospect Street’s raised roadbed shown above. 

The rise is quite an obstacle to walkers and bikers using SNETT.  After rains, matted leaves that cover this slope can become slippery.  Even in dry weather, the steep slope presents a challenge to young children, bicyclists, and casual users lacking sturdy shoes.

Private property impinged on

Correcting the problematic crossing at Prospect Street is complicated by the fact that the current path up and over the raised roadbed seems to depart the SNETT right-of-way and and traverses private property as it navigates Prospect Street.

The above is the view of the Trunkline Trail from the east side of Prospect Street.  The “detour” path in the image to the left up from the Trunkline Trail seems to be at least partly on private property, since it takes users alongside a home’s paved driveway as it reaches Prospect Street.   So any effort to upgrade the junction between SNETT and Prospect Street that retains the current “detour” path would potentially involve a judicial taking by the government of someone’s private property.

Underpass solves many problems

The underpass (termed a “tunnel” in most news reports on the upgrade) seems the simplest way to resolve the many the challenges presented by the SNETT’s current crossing of Prospect Street. 

Construction is tentatively expected to be completed by the end of 2020.  This is an exciting improvement to what is a wonderful recreational resource not only for the Town of Franklin, MA but also for neighboring communities on the Trunkline Trail as well!

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“ArtWeek” is something of a misnomer:  over the years, it has grown into ten days of events, shows, and activities in many participating Massachusetts communities.  

Franklin Cultural District site of many ArtWeek events

This will be the first ArtWeek in Franklin with The Franklin Cultural District officially in place.

Full schedule of events

You can download the ten day schedule of ArtWeek events in Franklin via the hotlink at left or in the image below.

“Taste of ArtWeek” craft and food festival in Franklin Saturday, April 27

The first weekend of ArtWeek in Franklin, MA gets off to a fun start with live music, food, drink, and a craft fair this Saturday, April 27. It’s called the “Taste of ArtWeek” and is a new event in town. You can access a comprehensive review of all the scheduled events for the Taste of Artweek here or in the hotlink embedded in the image below.

This new event in Franklin runs from 4 PM to 8 PM on Saturday, and it will be held at the Franklin Town Common and the adjacent Hayward Manor. 

It’s a grand opportunity to get outside, see and be seen, meet local crafters, and have a good time enjoying the warmer weather! You’ll be able to inspect and buy a variety of handmade crafts, decorations, jewelry, and artwork.  There will be a juried crafts exhibition, food trucks, and a beer garden. (Wine will also be available for purchase.) 

Purchase tickets on-line

You can purchase tickets for use at the food trucks and the beer garden on-line here or by following the hotlink in the image below.

Taste of Artweek supports good causes

The Taste of ArtWeek proceeds will benefit both the Random Smile Project charity and the Franklin Cultural Council.

If you can’t attend the Taste of Artweek event, you can make a donation to Random Smile here.  And you can contact the FCC here to get involved in this important support for the arts and culture in Franklin, Massachusetts.

Here’s hoping the Taste of ArtWeek is a big success and becomes an annual event in town!

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Registration for the the Institute’s Lifelong Community Learning classes is open to residents of Franklin, MA and non-residents alike – all are welcome.  It’s a great way to get involved, meet new people and have fun!  Follow the hotlink for online registration or you can register by phone at (508) 613-1480 from 1 PM to 7 PM Mondays through Thursdays.

Offerings for a broad range of interests and ages

The Institute’s Lifelong Community Learning program features many fun educational and fitness classes for both children and adults.

There are especially robust offerings for children this spring; twenty classes are on tap!

The spring program for kids include courses on babysitting and lifeguard certification, foreign languages, cooking, engineering/STEM, art and fitness/yoga.

Adult offerings this spring feature a slew of classes in quite a number of topics.

You’ll find classes in the following categories: Art and Leisure, Business and Professional Development, Child Care and Parenting, Dance, Exercise and Wellness, Food and Wine, Language, Photography and Social Media, and Sports.

Entire spring 2019 program

Download the full Lifelong Community Learning spring 2019 program here or by following the hotlink in the image below:

Lifelong Learning Institute an asset to Franklin, Massachusetts

On its website, the Lifelong Learning Institute explains that its mission is to offer all area residents the benefits of the educational and social enrichment resources available from the Franklin Public School system:

“The Lifelong Learning Institute is the community education branch of the Franklin Public Schools in Franklin, MA. Lifelong Learning provides educational experiences for Franklin residents (and those from surrounding towns) from pre-school through retirement and beyond. This all-encompassing mission is accomplished through the efforts of dedicated employees of the Franklin Public Schools, and is supplemented with the talents of a number of our “friends in education” who partner and collaborate with us. The Lifelong Learning Institute is a fully functioning part of the Franklin Public Schools and has been in existence since the fall of 1998.”

The Institute maintains a total of six categories of programs for the public.  In addition to the classes and activities sponsored by the Institute’s Lifelong Community Learning program described in this post, the Institute also provides a vital service in its Solutions Extended Day program.  The Solutions program gives parents and guardians of young children safe and affordable before-school and after-school childcare services – a godsend for busy working families. 

Other programs under the Institute’s aegis are its Music Academy, Summer Program, Online Learning, and High School Experience.

So please consider taking advantage of one of the classes offered by the Institute’s Lifelong Community Learning program and check what else the Lifelong Learning Institute can do for you!

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In announcing the new Technology Club & Lab on its own website, the Franklin Y stated that the goal of the program “is to teach middle school and high school students about careers in technology . . . this club introduces students to the benefits of a career in the technology field and provides a safe place to learn and prepare for a job in technology.”

Upcoming meetings of the Technology Club at the Franklin YMCA are scheduled for February 6, March 6, April 3, May 1, June 5 and July 10.  If you have questions about the Franklin Y’s Technology Club or Technology Lab, please contact Kim Jennings at kjennings@hockymca.org.

Sample activities offered by YMCA STEM programs

The national YMCA website provided downloads of some of the activities youths will find at the typical STEM programs offered nationwide at various YMCA chapters.  Here are just some of the samples from the national site:

Learn more about the Franklin YMCA

The Bernon Family Branch of the Hockomock YMCA in Franklin, MA is truly something special.  Its facilities are top notch!  It provides a large offering of programs and services.  For children, their services include: early child care and preschool classes at their Children’s Center; before and after school care, swimming and sports classes, a summer camp, and a variety of educational classes.  Adults can partake in exercise and nutrition programs,  sports leagues, personal training, as well as senior activities and health maintenance programs.

Check out the Y in Franklin – it’s just part of what makes Franklin, MA such a great place to call home!

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After some installation delays, the field went into service during the middle of September.  Here’s how the field looked during a recent evening of Youth Flag Football, sponsored by the Franklin Recreation Department:

Artificial turf field in daylight

On a bright and sunny early fall day, the new field looks even better:

The lines aren’t just sprayed on, they consist of colored fibers embedded in the base of the field.

Here’s how the field looked before installation, once the old turf was removed:

Learn more about recreational opportunities in Franklin, MA

The Town of Franklin, MA has won national recognition for its outstanding recreational resources.  The town’s Recreation Department hosts an extremely robust and diversified roster of sport and recreational activities.  Franklin is also home to a number of youth sports organizations that serve children of all ages and skill levels.  Franklin offers residents a number of ball fields and playgrounds, while its access to walking trails and fishing and boating opportunities is excellent!  Contact Warren Reynolds to get more information on living in the Town of Franklin, Massachusetts!

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Online registration for an impressive array of programs

You can also view all the programs online via the Franklin MA Recreation Department’s web page.  From there you can access an online registration site that is quick and easy!

Below are some of the highlights from the Franklin Recreation Department’s summer program:

A lot of thought and effort has gone into creating this program of activities.  The summer offerings from the Franklin Recreation Department speak very well for both the Department itself and for the overall Town of Franklin, Massachusetts.  Great job, Franklin Recreation Department!

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Top place to live and launch a business

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 communities 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!

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The Beaver Pond Recreation Area is not just for fishing!  It also offers a town beach for swimming, a synthetic turf ball field, a playground for young children, a boat launch, and a walking trail.

Fishing fun at Beaver Pond

Here’s a video of a recent fishing adventure at Beaver Pond in Franklin, Massachusetts:

Many recreational opportunities in Franklin

Franklin, Massachusetts enjoys a rare mix of a vibrant business environment with lots of recreational opportunities – so much so that the town was recognized by CNNMoney.com as one of the top ten communities in the US in which to prosper financially and have fun outdoors, too!

Here are links to just some of the many recreational resources in Franklin, MA:

Check out all that Franklin, Massachusetts has to offer – don’t overlook the great Franklin public schools and beautiful new Franklin High School!

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