As the sun shines brightly on a sunny summer afternoon at the Hawes pool on Washington Street, it is hard to imagine a better place to be for children. The sound of laughter and splashing water fills the air as lifeguards teach the finer points of the whip kick to eager young swimmers. Trails wind around a nearby pond stocked with trout, providing a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Yellow balls bounce on town tennis courts just over the hill, beckoning players to come and enjoy a game.

For Susan Guay, 30, who grew up in Norwood and returned to raise her 5-year-old twin boys, Joseph and James, this is what makes Norwood such a special place. “I don’t think there’s anything Norwood doesn’t have for kids,” she said with a smile. This tight-knit community truly cares about its young residents, offering a wide range of activities to keep them engaged and entertained.

The town provides various athletic programs, including swimming, tennis, soccer, softball, basketball, and hockey, catering to children of all ages and interests. Guay’s sons are enrolled in free pre-beginner swim lessons at the town pool, while they also enjoy cultural programs run by the town. They currently take an arts and crafts class at the Civic Center, which is just one of many activities available for young residents.

Small children flock to the town’s tot lot, constructed by the Lions Club at the bottom of Bond Street about two years ago. This playground provides a safe space for them to play and socialize with their peers. If the weather is bad, residents can take advantage of a library program that offers free passes to the New England Aquarium or Children’s Museum in Boston.

However, some residents wish the town offered more indoor programs for children during the winter months. “There’s the bowling alley, but the kids tend to hang out in front of it,” said Margaret Raymond, mother of 4-year-old Jennifer and 1-year-old D.J. She believes that the revitalization of the Norwood Cinema in the town center is a boon to children, but would like to see more matinees geared toward youngsters.

While young children have many options for activities, the pickings are slimmer for teenagers. For the past eight years, the town ran a program tailor-made for kids 11 to 15 called “Teen Escape,” which offered everything from Red Sox games to Cape Cod beach parties. This program was hailed as a statewide model, but unfortunately had to be dropped due to low participation rates.

Recreation director Gerry Miller is determined to bring back “Teen Escape” in the fall, hoping that by making it a year-round program it will attract a more consistent following. He believes that this program is essential for teenagers, providing them with opportunities to socialize and engage in fun activities outside of school.

In addition to these programs, Norwood offers a range of other services and facilities for its residents. The town has a well-equipped library, Morrill Memorial Library, which is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. The library provides access to books, media, and other resources for residents of all ages.

The town also has a range of community organizations that provide support and services to its residents. These include the Council on Aging, which offers transportation, meals, and other services for seniors; the Rotary Club, Jaycees, Boosters Club, and Kiwanis Club, which are service organizations that work together to improve the community.

In conclusion, Norwood is a vibrant and diverse town that truly cares about its residents. From its wide range of activities for children to its commitment to providing services for seniors, this town has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a place to play sports, learn new skills, or simply socialize with friends, Norwood has it all.

More Living History

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Norwood’s Living History-Colonial War Years

The years between the founding of the South Dedham Parish and the Revolutionary War were busy ones in South Dedham. The first schoolhouse was voted in 1710. War touched the village again when six South Dedham men were called to serve in the British Army in campaigns in the West Indies. All six died of…
Norwood’s Living History-South Parish

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It was called TIOT, “the place to cross the water.”

By Marguerite Krupp, Originally published in the 1972 Norwood Centennial Magazine The Indians who lived near the Great Blue Hill often came here to hunt in the fields and fish in the clear stream of the Neponset River. When the colonists from Dedham Village began to settle here, they, too, found good hunting. In 1600,…
Norwood’s Living History-Post War Norwood (1972)

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