NORWOOD, MA – Spring events are blooming in Norwood after a two-year pause during the pandemic, according to Travis Farley, the town’s recreation director.
“We are very excited for a lot of our special events to be returning after a two-year hiatus,” Farley told the Board of Selectmen at its recent meeting. “There were a lot of things we just couldn’t do because of the volume of people and the crowds and the variety of things because of COVID.”
One example is the Easter Egg Hunt on April 9 at Norwood High School, which he said attracted more than 200 people.
Another traditional favorite is the annual fishing derby and duck race on April 30, now in its 33rd year. People can purchase a rubber duck at Town Hall or the Norwood Civic Center on Nahatan Street beginning on Tuesday, as well as at the event at Hawes Brook, located off of Washington Street at Short Street.
Registration will be held between 2-3 p.m., with fishing beginning at 3 p.m. The age limit for fishers is 14, and fly fishing is not allowed. The brook will be stocked with more than 300 fish. The duck race will begin at 4:20 p.m. at the Hawes Pool Spray Park.
“We release the ducks into Hawes Brook, and the top 10 finishers get gift cards,” Farley explained. “It’s a lot of fun, and the kids have a blast fishing and with the rubber duck race. Thirty-three years – it’s a South Norwood tradition.”
Another Recreation Department event is the third meeting on the pool feasibility study on Tuesday at 6 p.m. The Recreation Department has been gathering information from residents on the future of the pools as well as modifications that can be made to both the Hawes Pool and the Father Mac’s Pool on Vernon Street. Recommendations to the Board of Selectmen will be made in early May. Both pools will be opening for the summer on June 25.
“It’s been about a yearlong process,” Farley explained, “getting feedback from the community, looking at use.”
Also on the horizon is the second annual free Wings & Wheels event at Norwood Memorial Airport on Saturday, May 7. The event allows children to go onto the tarmac and explore what airplanes look like up close. There will also be a Touch-a-Truck event, where kids can explore, climb on and pretend to drive an array of trucks in celebration of National Public Works Week. About 500 participants have registered, equaling last year’s total.
Farley noted that the Recreation Department is on the rebound from the pandemic, with program registrations climbing to pre-pandemic levels. Active memberships have climbed to over 1,000.
“A lot of our regulars have come back, which is great,” Farley said.
Registration for summer programs has already surpassed last year’s total of 1,900, with 2,200 people registering on the first day. Swim lessons and camps are two activities that have seen increased activity. For the first time during Farley’s tenure, adult swim lessons will be offered.
Selectman Amanda Grow praised the Recreation Department not only for these events but also for the programming that helped people cope during the pandemic.
“I’m so excited to see all the programming coming and the favorites and long traditions,” she said. “But I just can’t stress enough how great you and your department did during the pandemic,” she said, noting the online programming that emerged. “Really pivoting overnight, just a lot of innovation. I think it helped a lot of us get through the really dark times.”
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