Letter from State Gives Watertown Officials Hope for Improving Path Along Charles

Watertown officials saw the best sign yet that the state will provide money needed to make the plan to improvements along the Charles River a reality. 

Town Councilor Steve Corbett told the Town Council that the state Deparment of Conservation and Recreation sent a letter saying that it is "committed to finding" $250,000 to $400,000 within the next year to get the $1.635 million project started.

"I think it is a milestone. This is the really the first indication in writing that they are willing to provide funds and commit funds," said Corbett, who has been pushing for improvents along the banks of the Charles River.

The first of three phases could be completed within 18 months, Corbett said.

A number of local private and public groups teamed up to design a slew of improvements to the area along the river between Watertown Square and the Watertown Yacht Club. Many pledged money for the project, but only if the state contributes, too. Groups incude the Bilezikian Family Foundation, the Solomon Fund, Perkins School for the Blind, the Watertown Commission on Disabilities, and the Watertown Community Foundation, Corbett said.

A total of $120,000 has been pledged by private groups, and the Town Council also voted to contribute $100,000 if the state provides at least $600,000 toward the total project.

A number of smaller projects make up the improvement program.

Major features of the project include:

• Replacement of the current path with an unpaved path running the entire length of that side of the river.
• Four entryways to the path and the river – one near the Founders Monument (close to Watertown Square), one at the bottom of Irving Street, one across from the Perkins School property and one at the bottom of Paul Street.
• A Braille/sensory trail for those with vision problems. This includes a rope to guide people to areas where items which can be enjoyed using senses of smell, touch and hearing.
• 14 points of visual or direct access to the water (including overlooks, a dock, places to fish and small beaches)
• Erosion control along the river 

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