If Selectmen Bless, Pilot Dog Park May Open in November

In front of more than 150 people, the Dedham Parks and Recreation Commission laid out a plan to open a temporary dog park.

The American Legion function room filled with more than 150 people – mostly dog owners – as Dedham Parks and Recreation commissioners laid out their plan to push ahead with a new dog park. "We are trying to get a dog park this year. It could be as soon as November," said commissioner Chuck Dello Iacono. Just last week, the Finance Committee took a bite out of the dog park passing at Special Town Meeting with a 4-3 vote not to support. The commission, however, has shifted gears this week and will seek support from the Board of Selectmen to temporarily bypass Town Meeting. The plan calls for a temporary park to open on town-owned land at the Dolan Center on Common Street. A town bylaw bans unleashed dogs on parkland, and a bylaw revision – …

• Photos (5)

Dedham Begins Fully Accessible Playground Preparation

New equipment at Condon Park will be in place by mid-September, according to project leaders.

Most kids in Dedham may not be looking forward to the turn of the calendar as September means the start of school. But, the beginning of the ninth month also means the opening of a new playground in East Dedham. Department of Public Works crews are ahead of schedule as they prepare Condon Park for a major overhaul, project leaders told Dedham Patch this week. “No problems so far,” said Donald Reisner, who spearheaded the playground effort. “We just wanted to get [preparation] out of the way, because we could.” Last week, DPW employees removed old equipment from the playground. Dedham Parks and Recreation put forth the plan for a fully accessible playground in the late summer last year, and plans are for children to play on the new …

• Photos (6)

Low Water Level Causing Big 'Stink' in East Dedham

The state's Department of Conservation and Recreation is working to repair two dams that have caused Mother Brook's water levels to nearly evaporate.

As water levels in Mill Pond and along Mother Brook reached an extremely low level in recent weeks, neighbors are calling on the state’s Department of Conservation and Recreation to act more vigilant about monitoring water levels. Leaks at two dams on Mother Brook – one operated by the state and the other by the town – plus diverted water where the Charles River and Mother Brook connect has caused the waterway next to Condon Park to become an unsightly, stench-filled, mosquito breeding ground unsafe for wildlife. “I can’t see how it is good for any of the wildlife that relies on the river,” said Dan Hart, of the Mother Brook Community Group (MBCG). “You have trouble seeing where there is water that can sustain life in that stretch of …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (8)

Softball Game with Police Kicks Off 'Night Out' Campaign

Local civic groups took on members of the Dedham Police Department in a softball game Sunday.

Local civic groups and the Dedham Police Department came together Sunday to showcase not just their softball skills - of which there were many - but also how neighbors have improved East Dedham in the past few years. At the forefront of East Dedham and its "renaissance" is a civic group that are rekindling a neighborhood and putting this little corner of Dedham back on the map. State Rep. Paul McMurtry praised the police for their involvement, and civic groups for not only their environmental impact on Condon Park and Mother Brook, but also their economic impact on local merchants. "It is really exciting," said McMurtry, "there is a renaissance that has taken place over the past four or five years, all in the interest of a stronger …

• Photos (10)

Get Out

5 Things to Do This Weekend: July 29-31

Watch a free movie, cheer on neighbors at a softball game and tour Dedham history.

It’s Thursday, and you’ve got no idea what you’ll do for the weekend.Dedham Patch is coming to the rescue. Celebrate summer with an outdoor movie, a little history, community baseball, crafts, and of course a hop in the pool!

• Photos (3)

Patch Picks

Patch Picks: 5 Great Parks in Dedham

Whether you just want to relax or enjoy a swing or two, here are some great parks in Dedham.

Summertime means hitting the park - either for a swing, picnic or ballgame with friends and family. Dedham has a number of fields, trails and spots to do any and all of the classic summertime activities. We have put together a list of five great parks in Dedham for this week's Patch Picks, but feel free to add your favorite in the comments section.

• Photos (10)

Viewfinder

GALLERY: Dedham Residents 'Bowl Down Barriers' with Condon Park Fundraiser

Kings event provides additional funds to help construct fully accessible Condon Park playground.

Alleycats filled the lanes at Kings on Sunday evening as Dedham residents raised roughly $23,000 in an effort to build a new Condon Park playground. Check out the "Bowling Down the Barriers" photos as local citizens showed how they roll.

• Photos (13)

Volunteers Roll Strike, Raise $23K for Condon Park

Kings hosts "Bowling Down the Barriers" fundraiser as local residents work toward town's first fully accessible playground.

Eighty-four bowlers rolled perfect games as Kings hosted the first annual "Bowling Down the Barriers" fundraiser Sunday evening. No bowler posted a 300 score, but every 10-pinner offered a flawless fundraising performance as a new Condon Park playground rolls closer to reality.  "It's a great cause," Mother Brook Community Group member Charlie Krueger said. "This is great for East Dedham and Dedham as a whole. It puts Dedham over the top." At least 175 people visited Kings to show their support for a fully accessible Condon Park playground. The event featured bowling, raffles and silent auctions as the Dedham community worked together toward a common goal. "Everyone's having a blast," event organizer Donald Reisner said. "I didn't think we…

•  1 Comment
• Photos (2)

Get Out

5 Things to Do This Weekend: June 24-26

Movies, bowling, swimming and singing - we've got your weekend mapped out for you!

It’s Thursday, and you’ve got no idea what you’ll do for the weekend. Dedham Patch is coming to the rescue. We’ve got the best bets for your done-work-outta-here time. Check our picks for the activities to hit and new bars/restaurants/shops to explore.

• Photos (4)