Good morning, Medford, Monday, May 11
This is a great Monday to talk about all things Medford, from the new wayfinding plan to the candidates who are vying to represent the city.
Happy Monday, everybody. The city, along with stakeholders and consultants, has been working on a strategy to help both residents and visitors find their way around Medford, no matter what kind of transportation they use, and to highlight the many parks, activities, services, businesses, restaurants, entertainment, and more, that the city has to offer.
The Medford Wayfinding Master Study Plan came out of a year-long project, which included focus groups, a survey, workshops, pop-ups, and more, to find out what people want in wayfinding signs and other infrastructure. It also explored what is integral to Medford's "brand" and how to ensure the system is accessible to everyone.
The project helped identify design principles, including: highlight and connect the squares/districts, enhanced communication about the city's open spaces, celebrate Medford's institutions, make the city's 400-year history more relevant to people today, and make the Mystic River a more prominent part of Medford's identity.
The plan also identified how the program would be implemented. A statement released last week by Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn's office, said the design firm OverUnder "assessed current conditions in Medford, and based on community feedback, recommends a phased wayfinding implementation approach in Medford’s business districts."
The firm recommended the order be:
- Medford Square
- Primary districts (Haines Square, Hillside, Riverbend Park, Wellington, and West Medford Square)
- All parks and open spaces
- Secondary districts — districts not covered in the prior category
- Areas along district routes but outside of the districts themselves
- The remainder of the city
The plan is long, but it is filled with graphics, sign design concepts, maps and more.
Happening today in Medford
Street sweeping: Zone 7 will be swept today. There will be no parking on the affected streets.
Senior Center Activities: Dominoes/cribbage at 10 a.m.; Gentle Yoga with Rosa at 10 a.m.; Al-Anon support group at 10:30 a.m.; Chair Yoga with Rosa at 11 a.m.; whist for all levels at 12:30 p.m.; country line dancing at 12:45 p.m.; Joyful Noises Choir with Zofia at 2 p.m., all welcome.
Go Mustangs! There are home games today for JV and varsity boys baseball and varsity girls tennis
ORIGINS: Where We Begin; A student showcase from Medford High School, a new exhibit at Arts Collaborative Medford featuring the works of Medford High School students in grades 9-12, AP art students, and MHS Alumni, plus student musical performances.
Spring Bird Walk at 7:30 a.m. at Brooks Estate, sponsored by Menotomy Bird Club. Meet at the green gate. Registration appreciated.
Forest Forensics Guided Walk at 9:15 a.m. sponsored by Friends of the Fells. Meet at Flynn Rink. Registration required.
Sisters-in-Sweat Exercise Group at 9:30 a.m. at West Medford Community Center. Walking and other self-led, low impact activities.
Circle time Story Time at 9:30 a.m. at Medford Public Library. Hosted by Medford Family Network. For children up to 2 years old. Registration Required.
Drop-In Play Time from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Medford Family Network Family Center.
Circle time Story Time at 11 a.m. at Medford Public Library. Hosted by Medford Family Network. For children up 2-5 years old. Registration Required.
Tween Color Club at 3:30 p.m. at Medford Public Library for kids in grades 5-8. Chat, listen to music, and color. Supplies will be provided.
Intro to Knitting for kids ages 8-12 at 6 p.m. at Medford Public Library. Registration required.
Cupcake Decorating from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Great American Beer Hall.
MakerSpace Drop-In from 6 to 8 p.m. at Medford Public Library. For adults and teens 16+.
Medford Arts Council meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the Medford Public Library and via Google Meet. Agenda includes: a presentation to be made to the City Council, a public art proposal submitted by a community member, Medforge, review of artists and organizations to contact, and recruiting new MAC members.
Medford High School Building Project Community Forum #4 at 6:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium. Agenda includes updates about the project and time for community members to speak.
Indigo Dyeing Basics at 7 p.m. at Arts Collaborative Medford with Christine Willis. All materials are provided, but feel free to bring 1 up-cycled cotton item to dye. Registration required.
Master Gardener Speaker Series: New England Native Flora at 7 p.m. at Medford Public Library, with Gretel Anspach, who is a Massachusetts Horticultural Society trustee and a lifetime master gardener with the Massachusetts Master Gardener Association. Registration required.
Community Garden Commission at 7 p.m. via Zoom. Agenda includes: Update on Barry Park garden, membership coordinator update, a pop-up garden, and future plans.
Historical Commission meet at 7 p.m. via Zoom and live-stream. Agenda includes: zoning, Medford High School, vacant seats, properties under demo-delay, Brooks Estate archaeological survey, Thomas Brooks' Park, Cross Street Cemetery, Hasting Heights survey project.
Adult Ed Book Club meets at 7:30 p.m. at Temple Shalom Medford. The group will discuss "The Wandering Jew," by Micah Goodman. RSVP to Deb Varat to be added to the email list: d.varat@snhu.edu.
Senior Recital: Wylie Doak at 5 p.m. in the Granoff Music Center at Tufts.
In case you missed it
Nell interviewed candidates for the 34th Middlesex District: Paul Ruseau and Chris Oates.
And, in honor of Mother's Day, Steve Coronella reflects on his upbringing in Medford:
Steve Coronella | For What It’s Worth
