More than you really want to know about Natick, Mass.
We’ve updated our popular “Top 10 things to do in Natick” page to remind everyone of how much the town has to offer. From hiking and bird watching at Mass Audubon’s Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary, to catching some culture at The Center for Arts in Natick, or visiting the Natick History Museum (currently by appointment only) inside the Bacon Free Library, there’s plenty to do and see in Natick.
Have you experienced everything on our list?
Boston Red Sox legend and 2022 baseball Hall of Famer David Ortiz stopped by the Natick Mall on Monday to participate in a panel discussion on the importance of maintaining good health through strong health care partnerships, followed by an “Intentional Walk.” Big Papi serves as a brand ambassador for eternalHealth, a Medicare Advantage health plan.
After a Q & A session, he and the crowd of about 75 stretched out near the infinity pool before embarking on a walk. Hanging out at the mall was a homecoming of sorts for Ortiz. “I used to come to this mall a lot because I used to live like ten minutes from here,” Big Papi said, referring to his Weston home that he sold in 2021 for $3.5 million.
In addition to living in Metrowest for over a decade, the slugger also at one time owned a restaurant in Framingham, Big Papi’s Grille, which closed in 2011.
Natick, as one of the communities along the Boston Marathon route, gets a handful of coveted invitational bibs that it can dole out to nonprofits and municipal departments raising funds in support of programs and services that benefit the town. Individuals granted bibs through the non-profits or departments won’t need to be speedsters, but will need fundraising moxie—you’re required to collect $4,500.
Interested non-profits and municipal departments must submit a proposal by 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 21, 2022 to Donna Donovan, Office of the Town Administrator, 13 East Central St., Natick MA 01760 or via email to ddonovan@natickma.org. You must provide the following:
Boston Marathon supporters, who came out in droves to Natick Center and along the route through town just six months ago to cheer on participants, did it all over again Monday for the race’s return to its traditional Patriots’ Day schedule.
Drummers kept the beat going in front of Morse Institute Library, and spectators stood or sat on any perch available to watch the 126th edition of the marathon and its 30,000 participants. A young band donning their finest Celtics gear, a crooner in the back of a truck in front of Dunkin’ Donuts, and a giant Will Smith head that runners were invited to, uh, tap on their way by were among the sideline sights seen as I trekked between Natick Center and Wellesley Square (we also heard about a good band at Forest and West Central that a reader was trying to identify).
Here are some pics of the scene:
Drummers keep the beat going for #BostonMarathon runners through #Natick Center pic.twitter.com/CuDDBxwt7E
— Natick Report (@NatickReport) April 18, 2022
Classic pump-up tunes for #BostonMarathon runners in Natick pic.twitter.com/x81n7FHhQU
— Natick Report (@NatickReport) April 18, 2022
Congratulations to all participants in the 126th Boston Marathon.
On my trek along the Boston Marathon course sideline this morning from Natick Center to Wellesley Square, I saw many of the usual signs of encouragement: Boston Strong, You Got This, and the Power Up buttons.
But winning the prize for most topical runner prop: A guy at a house party on Rte. 135 west holding a giant cutout head of Will Smith—he of Oscars telecast infamy— that runners were invited to slap as they zipped on by. And slap they did…
