According to an August 3 article in the Watertown Tab, Watertown, along with the DCR, is planning a $3 million renovation of a one-mile stretch along the Charles (from Watertown Square to the Watertown Yacht Club). One of the specified goals for the area is to "encourage dog walkers to use the park". Work may start as soon as next Spring. Here's the full list of goals for the path:

· Prioritize quiet enjoyment of the river such as walking, picnicking, sunbathing, recreational boating and bicycling, and educational activities.

· Provide a welcoming park for children, seniors, and handicapped individuals.

· Maintain the open field as a flexible space able to accommodate pick-up games of volleyball or soccer, or larger town gatherings if desired.

· Encourage dog walkers to use the park by providing doggie mitts and waste tubes in key locations.

· Look into feasibility of a boat and bicycle rental program, food vendor, portable bathroom, and season events to build support for park maintenance.

· Provide ADA access at logical routes and opportunities to sit at scenic overlooks at the shore’s edge.

· Limit signs to avoid graffiti
· Management of invasive species and poison ivy
Derived from users of the Charles River reservation during a planning workshop in November

For more information, call Watertown’s Community Development and Planning office at 671-972-6417.