Mason Rice bike rack #1
I took this photograph with my cell phone while tooling through Newton Centre Playground in early June. This is but one of three bike racks surrounding Mason Rice Elementary School. Let’s suppose that upward of thirty students, perhaps more, biked to school that day. Then imagine how many more might have also done so if the roads leading there felt safer to those students and their parents. My own eyes tell me that the number of cyclists on Newton’s roads increased exponentially during the Pandemic, and I have seen little evidence of the number diminishing in recent days. Isn’t it time that Newton’s city government increase its commitment to improving its cycling infrastructure? Despite good intentions, progress seems too slow.
Speaking of biking, Bike Newton has resumed leading group rides as we enter the Post-Pandemic world. Here is a blurb about a ride tomorrow afternoon:
To learn more about Bike Newton, our leading local advocate for cyclists of all abilities and ages, go to the website: https://www.bikenewton.org/.
On another note, I am glad that Crystal Lake is finally operating full time starting tomorrow. The daily schedule will be 10AM to dusk from June 28 through August 27. Too bad that the season didn’t begin earlier and doesn’t run all the way to Labor Day as it once did. Hundreds of people, maybe more, started swimming at the lake in early June at Cronin and Levingston Coves. Freelance swimming makes me nervous, and the absence of porta-potties at those sites raises health concerns as well. The city, in its wisdom, has permitted both residents and many from other communities to take matters into their own hands and swim as they will. So far, nothing untoward has happened that I know of. But I will buy a membership at the ancient boat house and swim in the supervised area as I always have.
One of the great events of Newton’s annual cultural calendar is Open Studios. Dozens of artist around the Garden City display their arts and crafts at their homes, mostly, but sometimes at city centers, and most items are for sale. This past weekend the resident artists displayed their wares on their lawns, in their yards, or in their garages. My wife and I always bike to several sites and usually buy something . Here is the watercolor that we purchased this year from Nancy Alimansky, who lives on Randolph Street in Newton Highlands:
Many of you probably recognize this famous building, which sits at the corner of Beacon Street and Windsor Road in Waban Square. Fittingly, at this moment the watercolor is being framed at Frame It in Waban, a half-block away. I purchased it for my daughter, who loves her more affordable North Reading home but waxes nostalgic about her old neighborhood!
Is Barry’s to the right of the featured building in the painting? My son and his family are in the process of moving into a Newton home, and while everyone was working I volunteered (insisted) on going out to bring back lunch. I was sent to Barry’s. It was overwhelmingly appealing. If anyone is debating whether or not to locate in Newton with its bad roads and ubiquitous gaggles of self-righteous cyclists, send them to Barry’s. The pickles alone are worth an extra $100K in real estate costs.
Yes, Barry’s is to the right of the building in the painting, and Waban Market is to the right of Barry’s. Waban Square is a great location these days, with a food market, a hardware store, a pizzeria, a post office, a shoe repair shop, a picture framing store, a coffee shop, a bank, a library center, and other surprises.
Thanks Bob for your writings. I’m very concerned about the “free” swimming at the lake. At weeks end a 1 year old was briefly “lost” at Levingston cove. Four police cars and 2 rescue vehicles arrived until the child was found safe and sound. Summer is just getting started. The city needs a plan to dear with the many who don’t use the life guard protected part of the lake.
I can’t believe the lake will be open until August 27th. In the recent past (17 hrs) I can only think of one year where they stayed open past mid August. Usually algae bloom and life guards going back to college are an issue. I believe some treatment was done recently to try to prevent the algae bloom. They have had an issue hiring lifeguards but that has ended up with some being on the younger end of the scale thus more high school aged ones.
One thing the Lake could do is open earlier on the weekend days. 1pm is too late. I remember when my kids were young we never went on the weekends because I was looking for something to do with them earlier in the day and they had afternoon nap times. I think most people with kids are ready to do things earlier which is why Levinston Cove becomes popular. Opening earlier would give parents a better option, I think the reason they don’t relates to neighbors but I think they are experiencing a worse situation with people just going to LC and the other end of the lake,.
Just curious, does anyone know what’s happening with the blue bikes? I see them stored at different locations around the city but not sure I’ve seen anyone ride one. Does the city still share information about rates of usership of these bikes?
Very torn about biking in Newton.
Left brain says it’s a wonderful way to get around, remain active and be environmentally friendly.
Right brain thinks in New England, it’s a 2 season activity at best (and certainly not today when’s going to be a billion and four degree out). More often than not, one has to get from A to B without needing to take a shower after. Or carry more stuff that can fit in a back pack.
All of that said, anyone have any experiences to share with the e or e assist bikes? May be fun to start returning to the office (in Boston) on one as an alternative to the T. And hopefully not a sweaty mess when arriving.
@Matt, ebikes are great for the sweat problem. Because you can go a bit faster through tricky spots, they may also be safer, but of course they also allow you to go too fast.
@Bob, it should be a good year for Newton bike lanes. Keep your eyes on Parker Street this summer. Beacon Street too, if it isn’t already marked.
Also, why are bike racks often situated so far from the schools? If we want to encourage biking, bike racks should be visible, convenient, and as close to the entrance as possible.