Parks-Recreation Board names new recreation supervisor

The Parks-Recreation Board named a new recreation supervisor at its meeting on Sept. 9. 

Jessica Herwick, from Somerville, was selected after two rounds of candidate interviews. Herwick is a recreation, community engagement and education leader with more than 20 years of experience managing indoor and outdoor recreation programs. She also previously served as Director of Education and Community Engagement at the Waltham Fields Community Farm.

In her new role, Herwick will help plan and run programs for preschoolers through adults, including sports, fitness, arts and crafts, music, drama, trips, special events and holiday activities. 

In other business, the board:

* Approved a request to hold the Needham Soccer Memorial Day Tournament at Waltham’s Veterans Field on May 22–25, 2027.

* Approved a request to hold the U8–U19 Boys & Girls New England Intercontinental Football Academy Tournament at Waltham’s Falzone Field on November 20-22.

* Approved a request to hold the annual inclusive athletic event co-hosted by the Waltham Police Department at Veterans Field. Date TBD.

* Voted to develop a department Employee Policy Manual, working with the Human Resources Department, for training purposes. All approved monthly policies will be included.

*Announced that spray parks across the city closed for the season on Sept. 5.

*Announced the Veterans Memorial Skating Rink opened on Sept. 8.

*Announced that mini golf at the Universal Park on Trapelo Road is now only open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

*Announced the completion of the renovation of both softball fields at Veterans Field. 

*Discussed that the expansion of Waltham’s field hockey program requires the use of both 617 Lexington St. and Falzone Field for games.

*Announced Nipper Maher Park is closed for two weeks to replace the mulch at the swing set with a new surface.