Natick Report

More than you really want to know about Natick, Mass.

Broadmoor bursting with yellow

by 1 Comment

Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary in South Natick is looking mighty colorful even before the fall foliage kicks in.

Thanks to Denny Nackoney for sharing these photos, which he says were identified during a nature walk as water marigolds. The photos were taken from the wooded boardwalk across the stream and wetlands.

“Best guess is that because of current drought, high temps, and the stream’s low water level, it was just the right conditions for them to take off.  What a spectacular sight!” he wrote.

broadmoor yellow
broadmoor yellow

Natick dedicates Erica “Ricky” Ball Community Garden

by 1 Comment

Thank you to correspondent Christine Schell for the following story and photos.

“Erica, we love you!” declared opening speaker Randy Waters, Director of the Natick Housing Authority, at the Erica Ball Community Garden dedication on September 8. Nearly 75 people attended the event, with several local and state leaders speaking passionately about Erica “Ricky” Ball’s commitment to and outsized influence on Natick.

Erica Ball, Natick Community Garden

Ricky perched center stage at her own picnic table, while husband Jay Ball stayed with the crowd taking photos of the speakers and Ricky.

Natick Select Board member Paul Joseph teared up during his speech, then took a breath and forged ahead, drawing parallels between Ricky’s 60-year dedication to Natick and the Garden’s purpose of nurturing community and nourishing people.

Erica Ball Community Garden, Natick

Slam poet Jamele Adams performed a poem honoring Ricky, calling her a “boss” who “leaves a mark on your skin, brain, and heart.”

Other speakers in attendance included Natick resident and MA State Rep David Linsky, and Massachusetts Senate president Karen Spilka who called Ricky a “giant in the Natick community in every aspect of the word” and a “beacon of a public servant.”

Erica Ball, Natick Community Garden

But the fan favorite, the true luminary, and the brightest star of the night was Ricky. She reflected on the many positive changes in Natick over the years, and expressed humorous regret that she and Jay have chosen this time to relocate to Canton. She said that coming to Natick was the best thing that ever happened to her, and then promised, “I’ll be back.” If you know Ricky, you won’t doubt that.

Erica Ball, Natick Community Garden

Be a part of Natick’s growth industry

Natick has four community gardens—The J.J. Lane Park Gardens at 185 Speen Street; the Eric Markman Interfaith Community Gardens near A Place to Turn at 99 Hartford Street; Navy Yard Park Community Gardens at 56-48 Washington Avenue; and the Erica Ball Community Gardens, behind the Housing Authority offices at 72 South Main Street.

Registration information on how to sign up for your own garden plot.

Questions about the community gardens program can be directed to the Community Gardens Coordinator at communitygardens@natickma.org or by calling 508-647-6400 ext. 2013.

Please send tips, photos, ideas to natickreport@gmail.com

Natick has been a dry town for much of this summer

by Leave a Comment

After a July that brought thirteen days during which temperatures reached over 90 degrees, combined with a measly 0.62″ of rainfall in the Boston area according to the National Weather Service, brown lawns in Natick are having a moment, and maybe even a proud one at that. After all, how better to virtue signal, “in our house we believe climate change is real,” than by taking the sprinkler system offline and letting nature take its course?

Natick, brown lawns

 

Lately as we drove around the various neighborhoods of Natick, manicured green lawns certainly were in evidence, but seemed to be in the minority. One reason could be that the town hasn’t made it effortless for homeowners to keep the grass green on either side of the fence.

Restrictions put into place last month mandated a two day/week watering schedule for both residents and businesses. Those occupying a building with an odd number street address must limit nonessential water use, including lawn and garden watering. to Monday and Thursday from the hours of 5pm on the select day until 9am the following day.

Residents and businesses occupying a building with an even number street address must limit nonessential water use, including lawn and garden watering, to Tuesday and Friday from the hours of 5pm on the select day until 9am the following day.

There is to be no non-essential outdoor water use on Wednesdays, Saturdays, or Sundays.

And don’t think about taking your bucket down to the South Natick Dam to scoop up some water to spread on your lawn. The pickings are mighty slim there.

South Natick dam, drought

Could the tide be turning against the perfect green lawn as the ultimate outdoor status symbol? It’s too early to call brown Natick lawns a trend, but the situation bears watching. It’s not too late to join in. Although the long-term forecast calls for more civilized temperatures in the 70s and 80s, and it looks like some rainclouds are on the horizon, summer is far from over. Your lawn can still transition to a beautiful brown expanse, a nonverbal embodiment of your feelings about water conservation.

Natick, brown lawns

 

Natick, brown lawns

 

Wellesley garden

Natick Garden Club plant sale to fund community-based programs

by Leave a Comment

The Natick Garden Club will hold its annual plant sale on Saturday, June 4, 10am-2pm, at the Natick Community Senior Center, 117 East Central Street.

​Come and purchase plants that have been successful in Garden Club members’ gardens. Prices are reasonable and typically lower than local nurseries. There will be also be door prizes.

​This is the club’s major fundraiser, and proceeds fund the club’s programs, scholarships for graduating seniors, and community activities.

Natick Garden Club

More garden news

Weston Garden Club tour is Saturday, June 4—11 unique gardens

Blithewold mansions and gardens on Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay

An hour in my garden—tidying the shed

Partway around Earth Day All Around Natick

by Leave a Comment

We hit a sampling of the dozens events scattered across town and over the weekend for Earth Day All Around Natick, and we’re feeling all the greener for it.

We swung by the Common to catch town officials providing updates on sustainability efforts, and got a chance to chat with some afterward. Members of Natick’s Sustainability Committee and friends also entertained the crowd with Costa Rican and other tunes in front of the gazebo, while kids played soccer in the background.

2022 gazebo leo alfredo earth day

Natick Earth Day, 8 Whispering Lane

 

Natick Earth Day, Monica Foley's she-shed

 

Natick Earth Day, Jack Creeden

 

Natick Earth Day, Canaan Fir

 

Natick Earth Day, weaving wall

 

Natick Earth Day, Rose Huling. Bookmobile & Outreach Services Coordinator

 

We didn’t get a chance to catch the chainsaw artist in action at the new new Erica Ball Community Garden (72 South Main St.), but did stop by on Monday to see the progress on the tree stump-turned-sculpture. Gotta hand it to the artist…

chainsaw natick public gardens