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Needham Bank, Wellesley
Write Ahead, Wellesley

Wellesley taking steps toward outdoor amplified sound policy

November 29, 2023 by Bob Brown 5 Comments

Plenty of noise has been made in Wellesley about the need for a consistent outdoor amplified sound policy, and the Natural Resources Commission is now taking steps to put one in place at least for its properties, such as the Hunnewell Field complex and Perrin Park. The NRC during a summer retreat listed completing a sound policy as one of its 2024 objectives.

Commissioner Lisa Collins has been conducting research on the issue for months, and at the NRC’s Nov. 16 meeting (see Wellesley Media recording) she shared ideas that have emerged from that work. She stressed that the presentation shared at the meeting (and a draft policy being circulated among NRC members) was just to get a conversation started, not any sort of decision. Though there does seem to be agreement in town that sound rules should be equitable, say for baseball and softball, and could vary based on location, such as those near homes or not.

The town’s recently completed Athletic Fields & Outdoor Courts Utilization Study showed that while a large percentage of respondents were “very receptive” to amplified sound, the next biggest group of respondents were “not receptive.” Volume, time of day, type of sound, and duration were all cited as considerations. As we heard during the debate about bringing lights to the high school track and field, while some neighbors were opposed to lights, others were more concerned about the companion increase in noise.

The NRC is looking to develop its own amplified sound policy as part of its handbook, though a policy could also serve as one that Schools or other organizations in town could adopt and adapt for their purposes.

sound policy

Collins reviewed questions raised in past permits and looked at what other built-out communities in the area have done on the sound policy front (not a ton, with self-monitoring the norm). The NRC has approved amplified sound on a permit-by-permit basis for most of its properties (though the Hunnewell Track & Field complex does have a specific set of rules), and has had to deal with permittees who have misunderstood or straight out ignored sound rules. The thought by groups to even have sound at their events has become more prevalent in large part because it’s now so easy to crank up the tunes anywhere via phones and wireless speakers.

Sound questions can arise before the NRC and its Playing Fields Task Force advisory group for everything from annual town events such as Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend to ongoing camp requests.


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An NRC discussion this past spring regarding a request for amplified sound for a sports program at Kelly Field raised issues of “a slippery slope” in allowing amplified sound, the concerns of neighbors, and the importance that some see in the relationship between playing music and enjoyment of sports. The NRC in May approved a request for amplified sound via portable gear at a few Youth Softball games, a decision made in part out of fairness given a tradition of amplified sound use at Reidy Field, where a built-in sound system is used for Little League baseball games.

Collins raised the idea of including in the policy caps based on various criteria such as per field, number of events, season, or total duration of sound. She put forward a recommendation that all requests for amplified sound must be permitted, and that some fields, such as Perrin Park, only be available for one-off requests rather than ongoing ones.

During discussion by the Committee, member Laura Robert suggested some thinking go into what constitutes “unwanted sound,” be it pounding music, sound near a playground, or other such considerations (NRC Director Brandon Schmitt chimed in with “vuvuzelas,” those loud horns sometimes heard at soccer matches). Music selection could be another factor, and Joe Roberts of Terriers Sports has mentioned during deliberations on his past sound requests the use of apps that can regulate lyrics based on the age of participants.

The NRC could inventory its sites and come up with a list of what’s acceptable or not for sound at each location, Collins said.

As a next step, NRC members plan to comment on the draft policy and presentation shared by Collins, and discuss it at a meeting in December.

Filed Under: Outdoors

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Linden Square, Wellesley
Wonderful Wellesley, E.A. Davis
Details, Wellesley

Cronk’s Rocky Woodland fall event—hot cider, donuts, adorable cottage

October 28, 2023 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

The Wellesley Conservation Land Trust invites all on Saturday, Nov. 4, 3pm-4:30 pm, to explore its Cronk’s Rocky Woodland Sanctuary, 20 Crown Ridge Rd. Learn about the native plants and other features of this rocky woodland (what type of rocks are there in the “rocky woodlands,” anyway?).
Cronk's Rocky Woodland, Wellesley
The storybook cottage at Cronk’s Rocky Woodland includes an outdoor fireplace.
Meet up with neighbors and friends.  Gather around a fire at the outdoor fireplace. Drink hot cider and eat fresh donuts provided by Wellesley Whole Foods. Rather than put away Halloween attire, have the kids come in costumes.
Cronk’s was a gift of Gertrude Cronk to preserve the natural flora and landscape of this special rocky area in Wellesley’s College Heights area.

Filed Under: Environment, Gardens, Outdoors

Page Waterman, Wellesley
London Harness, Wellesley
MassHort, Festival of Trees, Wellesley

Kids’ Trails Day at Wellesley’s Morses Pond a hit

October 25, 2023 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The Wellesley Trails Committee attracted more than 100 people, young and older, to its annual Kids’ Trails Day event this past Sunday at Morses Pond.

Kids took part in a scavenger hunt through the woods, following clues to find prizes in nature amidst the fall foliage.

Participants were also rewarded with cider and donuts, generously donated by Whole Foods, when they finished the rounds.

Explore some of the Trails Committee’s favorite walks & consider taking part in its guided walk at Boulder Brook on Saturday, Nov. 4 at 9am.

kids trails day


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Filed Under: Kids, Outdoors

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Mass Hort aims for better Elm Bank Reservation access

October 21, 2023 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The Massachusetts Horticultural Society, which calls the Elm Bank Reservation on the Wellesley/Dover line its home, is seeking to improve public and emergency access to that location.

Mass Hort Executive Director James Hearsum and Board Chair Gretel Anspach have reached out to members seeking their support for this issue by asking them to reach out to the local legislature in support of a bill that would direct the state’s Department of Conservation and Recreation to conduct a study of Elm Bank’s accessibility.

The bill reads in part: “The report shall consider, without limitation, the purchasing of private land and the maintenance, construction and rehabilitation of current state-owned land. The report shall also identify long term expansion and rehabilitation of the current Elm Bank Reservation to maximize public use…”

Access to Elm Bank is mainly limited to the one-way Cheney Bridge (limited to a 12-ton capacity, not sufficient for buses or large emergency vehicles), where backed up drivers don’t always play nicely.


Mass Hort hopeful that vacant Elm Bank manor house has lots of life left


Back access through private road Turtle Lane is limited to emergency access.

Among talking points shared by Mass Hort is that “any study of access to Elm Bank should explore alternative avenues, if any, over the river onto Elm Bank Reservation.”

Elm Bank use peaked in recent years during the pandemic, when people poured into the park as a place to get outside, in theory away from other people…

Access to the gardens at Elm Bank has evolved over the years. They were once freely open to the public, but Mass Hort in attempts to save the flowers and plants from loose dogs and in an effort to become more financially stable, put up fencing and started charging people. The surrounding park has remained freely accessible for soccer, walking, kayaking/canoeing, running, biking, and other activities.

cheney bridge elm bank
Cheney Bridge at entrance to Elm Bank Reservation

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Filed Under: Environment, Gardens, Outdoors

The Cashmere Sale, Wellesley

Kids’ Trails Day coming to Wellesley’s Morses Pond area

October 12, 2023 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Kids’ Trails Day at Morses Pond

Sunday, October 22 – (10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.) 

Join with the Wellesley Trails Committee and celebrate fall. Get your kids out into the woods to have fun and explore nature. Children will look for treasure boxes using letterboxing (written clues).  Refreshments served at the end of the activities. No registration required. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Meet at the Morses Pond beach parking lot, which will be open for this event. From Weston Rd, follow Turner Rd to the entrance to Morses Pond, follow access road for 0.3 mi, and parking lot is on your right.

Kids Trails Day Morses Pond

Filed Under: Kids, Outdoors

Fran's Flowers

Wellesley Turkey Trot ’23 registration opens

October 2, 2023 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The Wellesley Turkey Trot returns to Linden Square this Thanksgiving morning with a 5K run, plus a fun run for kids 10 and under, all in support of good local causes. Registration has opened.

This Wellesley tradition kicks off at 8am on Thursday, Nov. 23, with 5K race participants following a course from Linden Square that traverses through Wellesley Square and the Wellesley College campus before returning to Linden Square. Awards are given to individuals and teams, with special awards to the fastest Wellesley High students and alums.

The Hannah Randolph Fun Run for kids starts at 8:45am in the back of the parking lot near CVS.

The event is always a great way to see friends and burn off a few calories before filling up on Thanksgiving Day.

wellesley turkey trot
Wellesley Turkey Trot

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Filed Under: Charity/Fundraising, Holidays, Outdoors, Sports

Wellesley trails signs get makeovers

September 30, 2023 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The fancy signs on the Brook Path at State Street and Crosstown Trail at Washington Street have been refurbished thanks to efforts by the Wellesley Trails Committee and craftsman Stephen Garrity, who is renowned for his sign work at restaurants and other locations in the area.

 

Brook Path sign
After…           (Wellesley Trails Committee photo)

 

fuller brook park brook path summer
… Before

 

crosstown trail sign

Follow Wellesley Trails Committee on Facebook

(Disclaimer: I’m a Trails Committee member.)

Filed Under: Outdoors

Forest bathe in Wellesley with the NRC—clothing required

August 30, 2023 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Come join a Forest Bathing Guided Walk led by the Wellesley Natural Resources Commission‘s Environmental Education, Outreach and Compliance Coordinator Lisa Moore. Forest Bathing is the practice of going into nature to reconnect with nature and de-stress. The term emerged in Japan in the 1980s. Researchers have been studying the physiological benefits of Forrest Bathing since the 1990s, and the science supports what many nature enthusiasts already know: time spent in nature is good for us. Participants are encouraged to wear comfy clothes, good walking shoes and to bring a yoga mat or towel and a bottle of water to this event. This will be a shine only event.

morses pond woods purple
Morses Pond woods

DATE: September 13, 2023
RAIN DATE: September 14, 2023
TIME: 9am-10am
LOCATION: Turner Road by Morses Pond gate entrance
RSVP: lmoore@wellesleyma.gov

Filed Under: Environment, Hikes, Outdoors

MassHort has grown its program offerings for fall 2023

August 21, 2023 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

The Massachusetts Horticultural Society is now registering for its many plants-related programs. You can try out classes in arts & crafts (a 6-week Ikebana course starts Sept. 12); botanical art (Color Mixing for Artists starts Sept. 5); health and wellness (Forest Bathing programs), landscape design (a Nov. 4 workshop on creating a pollinator garden). These are just a few of the listings, so make sure to check out the entire rundown. Most activities take place at the Society’s 35-acre property at 900 Washington St., Wellesley.

Elm Bank Reservation, Wellesley
MassHort Trial Gardens

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Filed Under: Environment, Gardens, Outdoors

An hour in a Wellesley garden: Boulder Brook Reservation meadows

August 13, 2023 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

We try never to let a summer pass by without a walk through Boulder Brook Reservation, Wellesley’s least known and most low-maintenance garden. By mid August the open field sections of the 31-acre parcel are full of pollinators moving from joe pye weed to goldenrod to asters, and more. Paths through the meadow are occasionally mowed by the DPW in spring, summer, and most of fall. In late autumn the meadows are mowed down to the ground to prevent reforestation of the area.

Parking is available at the Katharine Lee Bates Elementary School (except during school hours), located at 116 Elmwood Rd.

Boulder Brook Reservation, Wellesley
The access path to Boulder Brook Reservation is located near the Bates Elementary School playground.

 

Boulder Brook Reservation, Wellesley
A pollinator corridor of joe pye weed, interspersed with other late-summer flowering wildflowers. Boulder Brook Reservation, August 2023.

 

Boulder Brook Reservation, Wellesley
A patch of goldenrod at the edge of a meadow. The area was once part of Boulder Brook Farm, a working dairy farm in the 1900s. The property was purchased by the Town in 1966. Boulder Brook Reservation, August 2023.

 

Boulder Brook Reservation, Wellesley
Joe pye weed grows to about 8-ft., is native to New England, and loves plenty of sun, and damp conditions, if it can get that. But joe pye weed isn’t fussy, tolerating all by shady or arid conditions. Boulder Brook Reservation, August 2023.

 

Boulder Brook Reservation, Wellesley
Boulder Brook Reservation, July 2018

 

Boulder Brook Reservation, Wellesley
A mowed Boulder Brook Reservation meadow, February 2022

 

Bates Elementary School playground
After a wander around the meadow, take the kids to the playground at the Katharine Lee Bates Elementary School.

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Filed Under: Environment, Gardens, Outdoors

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