Money for Charles River Path Improvements Could Come from Daly Field Project

A project on the Brighton side of the Charles River may end up assisting improvements on the Watertown side of the river.

which lie across the river from Watertown on Nonantum Road in Brighton, has been proposed and State Sen. Brownsberger told the Town Council that if money is left over, the funds could be used for the Watertown Riverfront Park Restoration Project.

Simmons College in Boston has pledged $5 million for the fields, and Brownsberger asked if some could be earmarked for Watertown.

"I asked if a little of the money on the table could be for projects on this side of the river," Brownsberger said. "They said OK."

A hearing on the Daly Field project was held at the State House last week, and Brownsberger said he hopes to put out a request for proposals (RFP).

The proposal would provide $500,000 for the proposed improvements along the Charles River. In April, the Town Council heard a , add more access to the river and beautify the area of the Charles River path from Watertown Square to the Watertown Yacht Club.

The Watertown project would cost an estimated $1.6 million, and town officials proposed using a mix of public and private funds to pay for the work. Several local organizations – Bilezikian Family Foundation, the Solomon Fund, the Perkins School for the Blind, the Watertown Commission on Disabilities and the Watertown Community Foundation – have pledged a combined $120,000.

The Town Council will look at contributing $100,000. For any of pledged money to be committed to the project, donors seek a state contribution of at least $500,000, with the town seeking $600,000 before they commit the funds.