Natick Report Since 2020: More than you really want to know about Natick December 21, 2024 by Deborah Brown Friends of Natick Trails and Friends of Framingham Trails will host the 4th New Year’s Eve celebration on the Cochituate Rail Trail in both towns The always fun event is a family friendly way to say goodbye to 2024 and march on toward 2025 will feature numerous fire pit stations with snacks Want to participate, or have ideas or questions? Please let the Friends know today! Use this online form. Learn more at Friends of Natick Trails and Friends of Framingham Trails Filed Under: Community December 29, 2023 at 7:14 pm What and where are the festivities on the Framingham section NATICK is well detetailed but not frsminghsm December 31, 2023 at 11:17 am Hi Judy, Framingham friends have updated their info on that with a few more details… December 31, 2023 at 11:23 am Judy – our part of the celebration is from School Street to the bridge over Rt Please send news tips, photos, ideas to natickreport@gmail.com If you’d like to contribute $ to support our independent journalism venture, please do…. © 2025 Natick ReportSite by Tech-Tamer · Login 2024 at 9:00 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}An event description promises "games singing and treats at fire pits hosted by different groups from around Framingham.​" (Shutterstock)FRAMINGHAM MA — Parties and champagne toasts often dominate the New Year's Eve planning but one local group is planning a much more subdued event The Friends of the Cochituate Rail Trail will again host a New Year's Eve party An event description promises "games singing and treats at fire pits hosted by different groups from around Framingham." Parking is available at 500 Old Connecticut Path For more event information, click here. Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Maddie Olstein and Cole Murphy are recognized in Dedham for their lifesaving efforts by members of the Red Cross in Massachusetts The shores of Cochituate Lake at Cochituate State Park in Natick offer visitors many ways to enjoy summer activities like swimming And visitors can enjoy themselves knowing they have lifesavers on staff at the park a young woman nearly drown in Cochituate Lake but thanks to quick actions from fellow beach goers and park staff her life was saved by first aid and CPR training Maddie Olstein and Cole Murphy both worked at the state park this past July and were notified by frantic bystanders that a woman had been pulled from the water Maddie and Cole were able to work with family members to give CPR to the woman who began coughing up water after resuscitation efforts began Both Maddie and Cole remained with the woman until emergency responders arrived and took over efforts Maddie and Cole were recognized for their lifesaving efforts in Dedham by members of the Red Cross of Massachusetts presented Maddie and Cole with their Red Cross Lifesaving Awards joined by their families and 50 Red Crossers from across Massachusetts Being able to help people in need builds stronger communities The lifesaving skills Maddie and Cole had were part of a one-day training were they received CPR They had the training and were able to go into action to help save a life We want to say congratulations to Maddie Olstein and Cole Murphy for their actions that day in July knowing a person will be able to enjoy another summer day thanks to their training and bravery Support all the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross Find a drive and schedule a blood donation appointment today September 9, 2024 by Admin MassWildlife will stock nearly 74,000 trout into waterbodies across the Commonwealth starting in late September About 27,000 rainbow trout will be over 14 inches long and the remaining rainbow and brown trout will be over a foot long Please send news tips, photos, ideas to natickreport@gmail.com Filed Under: Animals Framingham's long-awaited Raising Cane's has an opening date Raising Cane's will open in Framingham on Tuesday, May 20, according to the company's website. A representative previously told the Daily News that the chicken chain would open in late April or early May The Framingham restaurant will be at 253 Cochituate Road (Route 30) Raising Cane's is known for its chicken fingers — the only entrée on its menu and come with sides such as crinkle-cut fries The signature dipping sauce is the chain's "Cane Sauce," which is known for its sweet and tangy flavor The arrival of Raising Cane's in Framingham was announced in 2023, after the chain filed planning documents with the city. The restaurant was constructed in the parking lot of the former Aegean Restaurant representatives from Raising Cane's said the restaurant would open in early 2025 The 3,500-square-foot location features a double drive-through and outdoor seating Earlier: Raising Cane's says it will open in Framingham in late April or early May There are seven existing Raising Cane's locations in Massachusetts Another is expected to soon open in Saugus McDonald's and Burger King 2024 at 3:30 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The Friends of Natick Trails will again host a New Year's Eve party The Friends of Natick Trails will again host a New Year's Eve party An event description promises live entertainment For more event information, click here. Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. August 7, 2024 by Bob Brown The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation on Friday warned the public of a cyanobacteria bloom present in the Middle Pond portion of Lake Cochituate in Natick This is in addition to the previous warning in the South Pond portion of the lake due to a bloom The DCR strongly advises avoiding contact with the water when blooms are present The bodies of water will be retested and the public will be notified when the water is safe again The South Pond is between Rtes. 9 and 135 (along the Natick Army Labs area) and the Middle Pond is between Rte. 9 and 30 (aka, the beach at Cochituate State Park) Framingham) has not been affected by blooms Filed Under: Outdoors 2024 at 10:04 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A long driveway leads to an abandoned home at 212 Cochituate Road allowing vandals and others to mess with the abandoned home MA — A group of town public safety officials are urging the select board to demolish an abandoned home off of Cochituate Road that's been a persistent nuisance due to vandalism and thefts The 212 Cochituate Road home burned in 2013 The lone resident wasn't able to return to the home after the fire and the town took possession of it in 2017 after a tax foreclosure The home is located far back from Cochituate Road/Route 27 at the end of a long driveway The location gives vandals cover to break into the home and the two cars still located on the property The home also abuts occupied homes along Woodridge Road and High Rock Road "Due to the long driveway and the house being set far back from the road the unsightliness of this blighted property is hidden from view the condition of this property is creating a public health nuisance and hazard as well as creating serious public safety hazards," town officials including Health Director Julia Junghanns Fire Chief Neil McPherson and Building Commissioner Mike Crisafulli wrote to the select board in July The select board is set to discuss and possible take action on the property at Monday's meeting Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. August 31, 2024 by Admin The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation has reopened the North and Middle Pond portions of Lake Cochituate in Natick These areas have had clear tests from both the cyanobacteria bloom and routine weekly bacterial water quality testing the cyanobacteria bloom advisory remains in effect for the South Pond portion of Lake Cochituate 9 and 135 (along the Natick Army Labs area) Filed Under: Environment August 31, 2024 at 11:23 pm FRAMINGHAM — Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers is under construction on Cochituate Road and looking to fill out its staff — but don't expect to grab a bite to eat there until early next year A representative for the Louisiana-based chain that specializes in chicken finger meals confirmed to the Daily News that the Framingham location is expected to open early next year "Raising Cane's is slated to bring our one love — craveable chicken finger meals — to Framingham MA (in) winter 2025," the spokesperson wrote in an email The arrival of Raising Cane's in Framingham was revealed last fall after the chain filed planning documents with the city. The new restaurant is being constructed in the parking lot of the former Aegean Restaurant Raising Cane's is also hiring for restaurant leadership roles including general manager restaurant managers and assistant managers 'Serving Caniacs': A hit in Marlborough, Raising Cane's plans Framingham restaurant The restaurant is known for its chicken fingers — the only entrée on its menu Raising Cane's has five locations in Massachusetts: two in Boston and one each in Marlborough other planned openings include a third Boston location and Medford Framingham Raising Cane's location will include outdoor diningAccording to plans filed with the Framingham Planning Board Raising Cane's 3,500-square-foot location will feature a drive-through and outdoor seating to serve so-called "Caniacs." 'Been counting it down': Raising Cane's grand opening brings excitement to Marlborough Raising Cane's is being constructed in the former parking lot of the Aegean which closed in 2020 when it filed for bankruptcy The site was purchased during an auction by Brookline developer Paul Linder The Marlborough Raising Cane's, at 141 Boston Post Road West (Route 20) June 13, 2024 by Admin From the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation: Effective immediately the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has reopened the Middle Pond portion of Lake Cochituate in the Town of Natick The pond has had clear tests from both the cyanobacteria bloom and routine weekly bacterial water quality testing DCR is now warning the public of a cyanobacteria bloom present in the South Pond portion of Lake Cochituate During a bloom it is strongly advised that the public should not have contact with the water pet owners should keep their animals away from the shoreline to prevent them from ingesting the water The waterbody will be retested until cyanobacteria levels are within acceptable limits per Department of Public Health (DPH) guidelines For questions regarding cyanobacteria blooms, please contact the DPH at (617) 624-5757 or visit the agency’s algae webpage Subscribe to our weekday Natick Report email newsletter Filed Under: Environment, Outdoors FRAMINGHAM — Raising Cane's has received a green light to open from the city's licensing board but not without some edits to the chicken finger chain's plans Raising Cane's, which is set to open on Cochituate Road (Route 30), received unanimous approval for a food sellers permit from the city's Board of License Commissioners on Monday after an hour of discussion about whether the restaurant should be allowed to remain open past midnight The license was issued Monday after a hearing in October was tabled due to similar concerns as well as the fact that Raising Cane's did not yet have a Framingham manager Who's the manager?: Framingham Board of License Commissioners tables Raising Cane's application according to an email included in the meeting agenda packet According to Raising Cane's representatives during the meeting the late-night hours were planned due to the restaurant's proximity to the Mass Pike and because the chain plans to extend hours at all of its Massachusetts locations in the next year commissioners and a city councilor continued to express concern over the hours due to the restaurant's proximity to an apartment complex As they did in October, commissioners raised concerns over the restaurant's operations, including lighting, noise and potential odors, pointing to the Lord Chesterfield Apartments being located behind the Raising Cane's building In addition, District 4 City Councilor Michael Cannon in both an email to Sisitsky and speaking during Monday's meeting expressed concern about what he called a lack of outreach in informing residents of the apartment complex of the late night hours 'Quality, community and great food': Raising Cane's has new restaurants planned for three Mass. communities opposed a motion to allow the restaurant to open until 3:30 a.m Commissioners then voted on allowing Raising Cane's to be open until 1 a.m. Both of the motions included six-month reviews Commissioners then unanimously approved daily operating hours of 9 a.m Raising Cane's seeks winter opening for Framingham restaurantNews of Raising Cane's coming to Framingham was revealed last fall, when the chain filed planning documents with the city. The new restaurant will be in the parking lot of the former Aegean Restaurant at 253 Cochituate Road Its signature dipping sauce is the chain's "Cane Sauce," which is known for its sweet and tangy flavor According to plans filed with the Framingham Planning Board Raising Cane's 3,500-square-foot location will feature a double drive-through and outdoor seating There are eight existing Raising Cane's locations in Massachusetts including a solid-gold restaurant in the downtown Raising Cane's representatives previously said they hoped to open in early 2025 FRAMINGHAM — The city's licensing board has tabled Raising Cane's application for a food vendor's license after commissioners on Monday raised several concerns about the restaurant's operations commissioners raised concerns about the restaurant's proposed operating hours; its inability thus far to hire a manager; and the fact that no barrier separates the restaurant from an adjacent apartment complex Commissioner Alycia DeAngelis raised concerns about the restaurant's proposed operating hours Raising Cane's is proposing that it be open from 9 a.m Help wanted: Raising Cane's Framingham restaurant seeks managers for planned 2025 opening Adam Caracci, a property development manager for Raising Cane's, said the hours were standard for people working late shifts. However, the Raising Cane's in Marlborough closes at midnight Sunday through Thursday and at 1 a.m The restaurant's three Boston locations also close at midnight or earlier seven days a week owners of a dining establishment must get a sign-off from the mayor to be open between 1 and 6 a.m Commissioners also raised concerns about the lighting that would be generated from being open after midnight, given the Lord Chesterfield Apartments are directly behind the Raising Cane's building The chain also applied for the food vendor's permit without having a manager Board member Shannon McCullough noted the board has never approved a license without a manager listed and that the board has a right to review a manager Caracci said the chain is actively seeking a general manager and wants to apply for a permit before the holiday season McCullough made a motion to table the hearing on Raising Cane's application The motion was unanimously passed by the five-member licensing board News of Raising Cane's coming to Framingham was revealed last fall, when the chain filed planning documents with the city. The new restaurant will be in the parking lot of the former Aegean Restaurant at 253 Cochituate Road (Route 30) Caracci said the Aegean Restaurant is getting ready for demolition Raising Cane's 3,500-square-foot location will feature a double drive-through and outdoor seating to serve so-called "Caniacs." 'Serving the Caniacs': A hit in Marlborough, Raising Cane's plans Framingham restaurant Caracci said a Medford restaurant is set to open next week 2024 at 1:04 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The presence of cyanobacteria makes the water potentially unsafe for people and pets (Shutterstock)News release from Town of Natick Visual evidence provided by the Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) indicates the presence of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) cells in the Middle Pond of Lake Cochituate at levels that may exceed MDPH guidelines therefore a public health advisory has been issued The waterbody may be unsafe for people and pets - take the following precautions regarding the affected waterbody: Call the Massachusetts Department of Public Health with questions: 617-624-5757Additional information on algae can be found at: www.mass.gov/dph/algae 2024 at 8:06 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}An example of blue-green algae that can contain harmful toxins state parks officials have confirmed a potentially harmful cyanobacteria bloom in Lake Cochituate The bloom was seen in the Middle Pond portion of the lake in Natick The state Department of Conservation and Recreation is advising lake visitors and their pets to stay away from the bloom Cyanobacteria blooms are common in lakes and ponds in Massachusetts and typically happen due to factors like excess nutrients in the water "Cyanobacteria (sometimes called blue-green algae) occur naturally in fresh water creating a highly concentrated area known as a cyanobacterial harmful algal bloom Some HABs produce toxins (known as cyanotoxins)," according to DCR those toxins can cause a range of symptoms from skin irritation to gastrointestinal distress and neurological damage Algae blooms have been confirmed before in Wayland's section of Lake Cochituate Blooms have been confirmed in other water bodies recently including Lake Waushakum in Framingham and Stokes Pond in Plymouth Looking up at and through the standpipe steps The Roxbury Historical Society and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department opened the Cochituate Standpipe on Roxbury's Fort Hill for its annual public inspection People slowly made their way up the circular steps inside the 70-foot tower - which only briefly served its original purpose to store water from the Cochituate reservoir after it opened in 1869 At the top of the stairs is a small platform - and windows: The tower continues up beyond the platform When you first enter, there's a plaque honoring Henry Knox, who figured out how to get cannons from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston, for emplacement at forts surrounding Boston, including the one on what's now Telegraph Hill in South Boston - which convinced the British to leave - and a fortification on the Roxbury hill that later became home to the Cochituate Standpipe: Like the job UHub is doing? Consider a contribution By mg Sun Thank you for making the climb and sharing it with us By adamg Sun I have to admit the climb up was a bit hard but rather a series of metal planks bolted into the actual standpipe and the outer wall which was disconcerting for a flatlander like me There was a railing on the left side of the stairs (going up) so I held onto that when there was nobody going down I noticed some people going up were having the same issue I did; I'd move to the left and let them keep holding onto the railing By Ron Newman Mon more strenuous than at my other two favorite towers Prospect Hill in Somerville and Washington Tower in Mount Auburn Cemetery I'm glad I stopped to eat at Butterfly Cafe in Roxbury Crossing before trying this (Climbing the short block of Cedar Street on bike By adamg Mon we took the train back to Forest Hills (I'd parked on Hyde Park Avenue) and restored our energy levels with some samosas and chicken tikka masala at Tikki Masala By Ron Newman Sun https://photos.app.goo.gl/YaqDzQhmX4HxVYE88 By ENIGMUE Tue If you like what we're up to and want to help out please consider a (completely non-deductible) contribution Copyright by Adam Gaffin and by content posters.Advertise | About Universal Hub | Contact | Privacy July 22, 2020 by Bob Brown I’m sure there are places to legally and easily drop your kayak into Lake Cochituate in Natick for those in the know I started my adventure at the cartop boat access launch on Rte 30 in Wayland across the road from and just east of the formal Cochituate State Park entrance Be warned that your wheeled vehicle better not ride too low and have decent shocks if you want to navigate the dirt path that leads to this no-fee lake access point The July Monday that I went allowed for easy parking around noon Though when I returned I carried my kayak a short way to the right of the parking lot where a rocky opening to the lake presented itself I could have dragged it a little further to a smoother opening but didn’t want to disrupt a family wading there (I did pull out there later) The lake (technically a 635-acre Great Pond) was brimming with activity but I wouldn’t call it overcrowded on this Monday following July 4 which was slightly choppy based on a mild breeze One guy in an ocean kayak impressed by practicing his rolls not something I would attempt in my flatter-hulled model 30 and passed through my first tunnel of the trip waiting out a paddle boarder coming through from the other direction as signs urge those in watercraft to honk their horn or sound a whistle if you’re heading through But I found everyone quite polite regarding the ins and outs of the tunnels Going through this tunnel and another under the Mass Pike took me from the North Basin to the Middle Basin and I’d eventually wind up in the South Basin in the heart of Natick before turning around and heading back to where I started The Middle Basin is where you find Cochituate State Park. This is where the action is The beach was teeming with kids based on the squealing and yelling I could hear from hundreds of feet away I learned after my 2.5-hour paddle that the beach had actually been closed off because it was so crowded I pulled off to the western shore just past the state park to settle my kayak and eat my lunch. I could see the in-progress Cochituate Rail Trail above me and a steep dirt path that people obviously use to gain water access A little further up on the shore is the AMVETS Post #79, a sweet spot where veterans and families congregate, including for outdoor dining and drinks A smattering of people pop out of other coves along the way floating or paddling around in the warmish water The water starts to get wavier and choppier as I headed toward Rte I didn’t come across much wildlife on the lake The state stocks the lake with trout in spring and fall But perhaps things are going at a little too fast a pace for turtles to relax on logs and I didn’t see much in the way of birds either I don’t consider myself much of a unicorn guy but I will say that across the lake was the finest floatation craft I’ve ever seen I would have traded my kayak for it in a second A handful of houses along the shore have docks and boats protruding into the lake No trespassing signs send a message to stay away I then padded through two more tunnels to make it to the South Basin In between the two tunnels is a quiet cove where a family had clambered down a dirt hill near the Exponent building on Rte I stuck close to the west side of the lake due to the wind and chop I decided to wait for another time to explore the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center—to whatever extent that’s allowed—on the lake’s eastern side near Pegan Cove As documented after my recent paddle around Fisk Pond More:  Subscribe to our Natick Report daily email [gview file=”https://www.natickreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Cochituate.pdf”] July 26, 2020 at 12:47 pm The State Park and a spot near Route 9 are the other (semi-)official put in points you would find the Army facility uninviting You would also find lots of powerboats with waterskiing in that end of the lake on many summer days so it’s best to skirt the edges as much as possible and make sure your crossings are well-timed and visible I will reinforce your recommendation about whistles They are much more necessary in the south basin at the narrow tunnel in your photo and in the pass under Route 9 some of the smaller power boats come right to the openings before checking for occupants so it’s good to give as much warning as you can I’ve found a couple of nice pocket beaches on the very south shore of the south basin and on the east shore of the north basin as resting points July 26, 2020 at 1:46 pm Do you know if you need to pay an entry fee at the State Park if you’re kayaking had no intentions of launching via Amy facility was just curious about what it looked like from the water but I believe only to those at the facility Water sports fans are loving this heat lately The summer's first heat wave just rolled through Massachusetts with temperatures boasting 95 degrees or hotter in some parts Massachusetts has over 3000 lakes and ponds for recreational use as well as wildlife habitat Lake Cochituate is a 625-acre lake located in Middlesex County Its calm waters and peaceful atmosphere make this an ideal destination for new boaters looking to gain some experience on the water Boaters can enjoy a day on the lake water skiing as well as more relaxed activities like kayaking and fishing The lake has a healthy population of bass in addition to pickerel The Cochituate State Park surrounds the lake. The beach area has lifeguards on duty in the summer, and several hiking trails offer stunning views of the lake and the surrounding landscape. -boatsetter.com it can be an incredibly fun and relaxing way to enjoy the summertime The summer's first heat wave just rolled through Massachusetts with temperatures boasting 95 degrees or hotter in some parts Speed boats, pontoon boats, tubing, jet skiing, water skiing, kayaking, sailing, no matter your choice of water fun, the options are a plenty in Massachusetts...\nRead More The Cochituate State Park surrounds the lake. The beach area has lifeguards on duty in the summer, and several hiking trails offer stunning views of the lake and the surrounding landscape. -boatsetter.com 2021-2022: 20%\r\n- 2022 attendance: 10.8 million Though COVID-19 restrictions in Florida were among the most relaxed in the country Universal Studios Florida still underwent a major dip in visitorship during the pandemic The park welcomed slightly less than 4.1 million attendees in 2020 compared to the 10.9 million visitors who entered Universal in 2019 further bolstered by the 2021 opening of the Jurassic World VelociCoaster elsewhere in the park and a stunt show called the Bourne Stuntacular NATICK — Cochituate State Park was closed to the public Tuesday and Wednesday as the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation sought to tame invasive species in Lake Cochituate.  which was contracted out to a state-licensed vendor includes surveying and mapping invasive aquatic plants hand-pulling and/or mechanically removing floating-leaf plants Environmental Protection Agency-approved herbicides to control submersed species SOLitude Lake Management was seen applying herbicide on Lake Cochituate on Tuesday.  DCR has been applying those herbicides since 2009 treatments are needed less frequently and may potentially occur multiple years apart Lake Cochituate has struggled with invasive weeds for years; at one point it was infested with more than 150 acres of dense milfoil growth The department’s treatment program has reduced the growth to a point where treatment is needed only occasionally From 2009: Milfoil problem dominates Lake Cochituate discussion The work this season is targeting approximately 20 acres of growth Do invasive plants pose any risk to swimmers and boaters?One type of milfoil, Eurasian watermilfoil is believed to have been introduced to the Chesapeake Bay area in the 1880s and has been found in nearly all Massachusetts drainage basins according to a response plan included on DCR’s website Plant fragments are easily transported to new bodies of water via boats Left unchecked, the plants can form dense mats on the surface of the water, making it impossible to swim, fish or boat, according to DCR. The plants can also act as nutrient pumps, potentially triggering cyanobacteria algae blooms DCR referred outdoor recreation seekers to nearby Callahan State Park in Framingham and Ashland State Park in Ashland during the two-day closure Abby Patkin is a multimedia journalist for the Daily News. Follow Abby on Twitter @AMPatkin. She can be reached at apatkin@wickedlocal.com People and their pets should stay away from a section of Natick’s Lake Cochituate after a toxic bacterial bloom was detected in the water The Department of Conservation and Recreation reported the presence of a cyanobacteria bloom in the lake’s Middle Pond in a statement Thursday “During a bloom it is strongly advised that the public should not have contact with the water pet owners should keep their animals away from the shoreline to prevent them from ingesting the water,” the statement said Cyanobacteria is naturally occurring in all waterbodies, but when a bloom occurs, it can turn the water into a bright green or blue-green color, and create a scum on the water’s surface, according to the state’s Department of Environmental Protection. Depending on the type of cyanobacteria and how someone is exposed it can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms while larger amounts may cause liver or neurological damage as well as asthma-like symptoms if water spray containing cyanobacteria is inhaled Small children and pets are more susceptible to the effects of cyanotoxins than adults The water will be retested until cyanobacteria levels are within acceptable limits of state Department of Public Health’s guidelines John Hilliard can be reached at john.hilliard@globe.com. Home Delivery Gift Subscriptions Log In Manage My Account Customer Service Delivery Issues Feedback News Tips Help & FAQs Staff List Advertise Newsletters View the ePaper Order Back Issues News in Education Search the Archives Privacy Policy Terms of Service Terms of Purchase Work at Boston Globe Media Internship Program Co-op Program Do Not Sell My Personal Information 2024 at 10:01 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}GeGe's menu includes items like fried goat another opens on Cochituate Road in Framingham Nzuko restaurant has left the 341 Cochituate Rd though its Watertown location remains open in the area Now open is the Haitian restaurant GeGe's Cuisine The news was first reported by Boston Restaurant Talk GeGe's menu includes items like fried goat Editor's note: This story has been amended to clarify that the Cochituate Rail Trail is open past the junction of Route 9 Work will continue to extend the trail to Natick's downtown commuter rail station Josh Ostroff is chair of the Cochituate Rail Trail Advisory Committee.  On bicycles, that is, and along the Framingham-Natick border, where the Framingham-Natick Cochituate Rail Trail was christened Tuesday in a ceremony attended by local and state officials will run 4 miles from Saxonville to Natick Center Route 9 and to the commuter rail station in Natick Center.  and since last month the trail has been fully functional An $11.4 million investment and steady advocation since the 1990s brought the structure to fruition chair of the Cochituate Rail Trail Advisory Committee “This is a milestone on our transformation as a region as communities,” he said during Tuesday's ceremony “This is a new age where thousands of people are looking for clean and healthy transportation and recreation opportunities.”  Thousands of residents utilize the Cochituate Rail Trail daily numbers which Ostroff says doubled during the Labor Day weekend He said the trail is something that people of all ages will use a statement that resonated with Karen Adelman-Foster “(The Trail) feels like a new heart of Natick,” she said. “It leads us to each other It's already a place to run into friends and neighbors and to make new ones to build community and to build connections.”  sees the trail as a window into the area’s natural values and resources as opposed to what the commercial reputation of the area is Previous reporting: Late summer opening expected for Cochituate Rail Trail in Framingham/Natick the shopping malls and the commercial property,” he said This is a way that people can easily access them.”  sees a pattern of transportation improvement coming together She mentioned last July’s $300 million bill as the bigger picture that was reflected in works such as the Cochituate Rail Trail one that improves the community it passes through.  “These are linkages off of the trail system that enhance walks to school enhancing retail opportunities,” she said “This work just extends beyond the actual trails that you have constructed and planned for (and) keeps growing in a good way.”   Framingham Mayor Yvonne Spicer added to that point during the ceremony seeing the trail as a connection between the two communities “When I think about the people in Framingham who walk this trail I also see another opportunity — a social justice opportunity,” said Spicer “It's a justice opportunity for those who have been underserved and as we continue to connect these trails throughout Massachusetts.”  PHOTOS: Framingham-Natick Cochituate Rail Trail Mass. DOT ribbon cutting as plans are underway to extend the trail to the downtown Natick commuter rail stop Work toward that project has yet to begin but Ostroff said public meetings will get underway within the next six months.  FRAMINGHAM — BazaAr Supermarkets has received approval from the Conservation Commission to construct two additional buildings bordering wetlands at 345 Cochituate Road (Route 30) — where the grocer intends to move its Framingham store.  BazaAr paid $3.5 million to acquire the 3.7-acre property in September from the owners of the former Framingham BeerWorks which closed its doors in July 2020 after seven years in business The Allston-based grocery store intends to add two buildings totaling 10,000 square feet to the existing 9,000-square-foot building to relocate from its current location at 855 Worcester Road (Route 9) The property on 345 Cochituate Road — also known as 345 Caldor Road — borders wetlands which the city Conservation Commission protects in addition to ponds and rivers engineering representatives from BazaAr addressed concerns to their plans after months of discussions Engineers presented a designated snow storage area; a debris and trash removal plan to prevent accumulation of garbage on wetlands; and proposed vacuum sweepings at a frequency of four times per year The Conservation Commission then unanimously approved a permit BazaAr co-owner Sabina Roytman said a construction date has not been set and that it's not expected to begin for least another year Toni Caushi is a multimedia journalist for the Daily News June 28, 2022 by Bob Brown (Update (6/30/22): This post has been updated to reflect an extension of the closure.) The Department of Conservation and Recreation is closing Cochituate State Park in Natick on Tuesday June 30 for invasive aquatic species control work DCR points to alternative local state parks such as Callahan State Park in Framingham and Ashland State Park in Ashland Please send tips, photos, ideas to natickreport@gmail.com September 19, 2023 by Deborah Brown The Cochituate Rail Trail is the site of a temporary art installation put together by Studios Without Walls a Brookline-based artists’ collaborative that produces exhibitions in outdoor and public settings The half-mile stretch between the Cochituate State Park spur and the Amvets building has been transformed into free pop-up “museum” of 12 sculptures created by 15 artists and maps of the exhibition are available daily through Oct The path is still open to cyclists and walkers but now there’s a little culture thrown into the rail trail experience taking the kids to the exhibit counts as a museum visit The usual rules of “no touching the artwork” apply The rules about no running/biking/yelling in the “museum” do not Here are some pics of our recent spin on the trail: Studios Without Walls is made possible thought grants from the MA Cultural Council and the generosity of Natick Center Cultural District Filed Under: Art, Community, Embracing diversity, Environment August 14, 2023 by Bob Brown The Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation has issued an advisory against swimming at Lake Cochituate in Framingham and Natick due to the existence of Cyanobacteria blooms Ingesting water contaminated with these toxins can make people and pets ill Signs were being posted to warn people not to swim The state’s Department of Public Health will conduct testing to determine whether the blooms are still active Filed Under: Uncategorized August 15, 2023 at 10:17 am NATICK — Health officials are warning swimmers away from two Natick ponds after the state’s Department of Conservation and Recreation spotted blue-green algae which can be harmful to people and animals On Wednesday, the DCR provided visual evidence indicating the presence of cyanobacteria — the algae's scientific name — blooms in the South Pond of Lake Cochituate and Fiske Pond, according to a notice posted to the Natick Health Department website More: Cochituate State Park closed for two days as DCR tackles invasive plants Signs posted at access points around both bodies of water will warn individuals against contact with the water swallowing water and allowing pets into the water.  Health impacts associated with algae blooms vary depending on the type of cyanobacteria, the route of exposure and the amount of toxins present, according to a state Department of Public Health fact sheet Small children and pets are more susceptible Ingesting cyanobacteria in small amounts can cause gastrointestinal symptoms; large amounts may cause liver or neurological damage Skin or eye irritation is also possible with contact as are asthma-like symptoms with inhalation.  The Natick Health Department advised those who have been exposed to the water to rinse off after contact. The state DPH will conduct follow-up sampling at the bodies of water when there is no longer visual evidence of a bloom.  For more information on cyanobacteria, the Health Department referred community members to mass.gov/lists/algae-information Community members may also call the Bureau of Environmental Health Toxicology Program at 617-624-5757 or the Natick Health Department at 508-647-6460 with any questions October 20, 2023 by Bob Brown A public hearing will be held at Natick Town Hall on Oct. 30 (6:30pm) by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to present an overview of a proposed 0.4-mile extension of the shared-use Cochituate Rail Trail along Rte “A secure right-of-way is necessary for this project Acquisitions in fee and permanent or temporary easements may be required The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is responsible for acquiring all needed rights in private or public lands.” The MassDOT site states describes the multimillion project in more detail The design funding for the path is being paid with state funds while the construction cost is 80% federal and 20% state funded Construction is planned to start in spring of 2025 If you’d like to contribute $ to support our independent journalism venture, please do…. Filed Under: Transportation FRAMINGHAM — One of Framingham's largest private employers has confirmed plans to increase its local footprint the off-price retailing giant that runs the T.J a 450,000-square-foot office building that's about a quarter-mile away from its headquarters at 770 Cochituate Road The seller was Westwood-based Medical Information Technology Inc. according to the Middlesex South Registry of Deeds A TJX spokesman said the acquisition was completed to "support our continued global growth and accommodate a growing workforce in our Massachusetts corporate headquarters." "TJX is pleased to announce that we have recently completed the purchase of 550 Cochituate Road in Framingham along with our other East campus buildings in Framingham and our West campus buildings in Marlborough should help support our business needs for many years to come."  TJX is renovating its headquarters office up the street TJX has design and renovation efforts underway as we further enhance our dynamic work environment for our corporate headquarters Associates," Mr "We look forward to continuing our work with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts the City of Framingham and Town of Natick as we further develop our real estate plans for the future." footwear and accessories; home fashion products and gourmet food departments; jewelry and accessories; and other merchandise It employs about 270,000 associates worldwide and operates about 4,400 stores in the United States the Netherlands and Australia under the T.J It also operates the e-commerce sites tjmaxx.com TJX is estimated to employ about 17,000 people associate professor of marketing at Framingham State University said TJX's local expansion "illustrates confidence in Framingham and MetroWest." "It shows they feel Framingham is the right place to expand," he said "It's great news," added Framingham City Council Chair Dennis Giombetti who sits on the council's economic development subcommittee and it comes as other corporations have shrunk." Giombetti also said a TIF agreement that the city made with TJX several years ago "set the foundation for further investment in Framingham." While many brick-and-mortar retailers are struggling the company reported net income of more than $3 billion on revenues of nearly $39 billion tariffs will have a positive impact on off-price retailers "Tariffs are likely causing significant order cancellations from many full-price retailers potentially creating opportunities for TJX to buy inventory very inexpensively," UBS analysts led by Jay Sole wrote but now we're starting to see it in China as well." in New York Stock Exchange trading on Tuesday They've advanced about 25% so far this year July 15, 2021 by Deborah Brown As if coping with a flood warning near the overflowing Charles River and addressing elevated PFAS6 levels in its drinking water supplies through a mandatory water ban for nonessential use isn’t enough for Natick The town has also passed along a state warning to residents of toxic algae bloom at Lake Cochituate and is spreading the word that E coli bacteria has been detected at its Elm Bank wells The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has warned the public not to swim in Lake Cochituate due to the presence of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae bloom) throughout the 635 acre body of water located off of Route 9 and Route 30 in the towns of Natick and pets should be kept away from the popular recreation area The CDC says that cynobacterial blooms can be deadly for pets Animals can get very sick and die within hours to days after swallowing cynobacterial toxins Toxicity of the blooms cannot be determined just by looking at them Signs have been posted to warn individuals against contact with the water The Massachusetts Department of Public Health will conduct follow-up sampling at the waterbody when there is no longer visual evidence of a bloom For more information, please check the MA DPH website page on Harmful Algal Blooms in Freshwater Bodies at: www.mass.gov/info-details/harmful-algae-blooms-in-freshwater-bodies You may also call the Bureau of Environmental Health Toxicology Program at (617) 624-5757 or the Natick Board of Health at (508) 647-6460 with any questions Natick’s Water/Sewer Division issued a drinking water notice (embedded below) to the public that stresses there’s no need to boil or avoid drinking the water.  Acting Town Administrator Jamie Errickson gave a heads up about this news at Wednesday’s Select Board meeting about 9 minutes into the Natick Pegasus recording This after discovering a sample of untreated water taken at the Elm Bank Wells on July 13 tested positive for E which have been increasingly relied on during the town’s efforts to mitigate elevated levels of PFAS6 aka forever chemicals that were detected earlier this year Natick recently approved spending $3M to install carbon filters to get rid of the unwanted chemicals which through longtime exposure can cause health issues Natick disinfects the water it distributes to remove any fecal matter contaminants The town is conducting more testing to make sure it isn’t letting anything sickening through to residents It is also attempting to get its disinfection system certified by the state [gview file=”https://www.natickreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Natick-GWR-Tier-1-Public-Notice-7-15-21_202107151303320465.pdf”] Ask about Advertising on Natick Report Subscribe to our Natick Report daily email Filed Under: Animals, Environment, Outdoors July 15, 2021 at 6:10 pm The highly-anticipated opening of the $12.4 million Cochituate Rail Trail in Natick and Framingham will likely occur late this summer according to a state Department of Transportation spokeswoman All construction work is expected to wrap up in August “While there is not an official trail opening date set at this time MassDOT anticipates a late summer opening,” the agency said in an email to the Daily News Work continues to complete the Natick portion which officially kicked off with a groundbreaking in July 2019 It spans the area of the TJX Companies 30 and Speen Street, to Mechanic Street and Whitney Field near downtown It extends north from the TJX Companies to the intersection of Concord and School streets The total project includes 2.4 miles of rail trail and two pedestrian bridges — one that spans Rte 30 near the intersection with Speen Street and another that replaces the former CSX railroad bridge over Rte Work started Sunday on one aspect of the project — removal of a median barrier on Rte It is expected to be finished by the middle of August. Work will then shift over to Rte which should be completed by the end of August about 95% received a top coat and striping seeding and fencing are also 95% complete.  30 bridge was poured last month. Amenities such as benches Two portions of the Natick stretch remain in the design phase Natick’s director of community and economic development One is a direct connection from the trail to the downtown MBTA commuter rail station Natick is paying for the design from grants it received and it’s expected the state will pay all construction costs what Freas called a “Lake Cochituate spur line” is in the design phase Located at the pedestrian/bicycle bridge over Rte Henry Schwan is a multimedia journalist for the Daily News Follow Henry on Twitter @henrymetrowest He can be reached at hschwan@wickedlocal.com or 508-626-3964 FRAMINGHAM – Waterfronts at all three city beaches are closed according to Framingham Parks and Recreation The waterfront at Saxonville Beach will remain closed to swimming due to a state Department of Public Health advisory for cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) found in North The sand area will be open for sunbathing when staff is present These bodies of water are unsafe for people and pets The department advises people not to swim or swallow the water and keep animals away More information is available at www.mass.gov/dph/algae the waterfronts at both Learned Pond and Lake Waushakum in Framingham are closed due to elevated levels of E.coli bacteria.  The water will be retested and the waterfronts will open once the bacteria is back within acceptable limits.  The beaches will also be open for sunbathing with staff present Swimming areas of Lake Cochituate have also been closed in Natick and Wayland until further notice is limited to town residents from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend under a new policy Residents will need a season pass or daily pass to access the area.  Other bodies of water in Hopkinton are operated by the state and are currently open Water testing results can be found on Framingham's Board of Health website at https://www.framinghamma.gov/290/Public-Health.  To learn more about state standards for bathing beaches, visit https://www.mass.gov/beach-water-quality The state will conduct follow-up sampling when there is no longer visual evidence of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae bloom) cells Zane Razzaq writes about education. Reach her at 508-626-3919 or zrazzaq@wickedlocal.com. Follow her on Twitter @zanerazz 2022 at 8:07 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}State officials have given the all clear to use Lake Cochituate after a recent cyanobacteria sighting MA — It's safe to use Lake Cochituate again State health officials on Wednesday determined that a cyanobacteria bloom in the lake — first confirmed with a visual sighting on Oct which means it poses no threat to human or pet contact the state found that this recent bloom never developed any harmful toxins often develop toxins that can be harmful to people and pets 13 to stay away from the water in southern portions of the lake According to the Wayland Recreation Department cyanobacteria were detected at 3,900 cells per milliliter (cells/ml) of water at the town beach on Tuesday against the state threshold of 17,000 cells/ml cyanobacteria at the Wayland Town Beach were 12,000 cells/ml and 20,000 cells/ml at Pegan Cove FRAMINGHAM — Police are investigating an early-morning shooting of two young men outside a McDonald's restaurant on Cochituate Road No arrests had been made as of midday Thursday.  in the McDonald's parking lot at 343 Cochituate Road (Route 30) The 18-year-old man was shot in the chest and taken to Tufts Medical Center in Boston The 19-year-old man was shot in the leg and taken to UMass-Memorial Medical Center in Worcester "Neither appears to be life-threatening," said Mickens McDonald's drive-thru is open 24 hours but the seating area closes at 11 p.m The two men were in a vehicle in the drive-thru lane when they were shot She said she did not know the connection between the victims and the shooter or shooters "We think the parties are known to each other," Mickens said told the Daily News that employees who were working at the time of the shooting weren't still on duty when a reporter sought comment later Thursday morning officers from Framingham and the Massachusetts State Police searched the area for anyone connected to the shooting Mickens said the incident remains under investigation.  Multimedia journalist Lillian Eden contributed to this report.  Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com follow Norman Miller on Twitter @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.