A New Park May be in Watertown's Future

[Updated on Aug. 24 at 1:55 p.m.]

Watertown residents may soon have a new park to enjoy. 

Town Councilor Susan Falkoff let out a "Woo-hoo!" when Town Council President announced that the council would have a hearing to explore turning Whitney Hill into a town park at last week's Town Council Meeting. . 

"I've been working since I was on the Conservation Commission to make it a town park," said Falkoff, who is in her third term as an at-large councilor.

Whitney Hill is the forested land above Victory Field and the Public Works Facility. The land is owned by the town, said Conservation Agent Chris Hayward, and the Conservation Commission is looking at protecting it in perpetuity. 

It has a small network of paths blazed by walkers. There are entrances of Marion Road and where Oliver and Marshall streets come together on the eastside of the area, and on Marlboro Terrace on the westside. 

Falkoff said she recently strolled through Whitney Hill, and was surprised to see how well the paths are maintained and that someone had put up a sign saying "Whitney Hill" with a trail map.

Sideris said the hearing on Whitney Hill will be scheduled during one of the council's meetings in September.