Team Haverhill adopted plans this month to realize key community dreams in 2010, ranging from a brand new river festival to a long-sought expansion of curbside recycling across the whole city.
RiverFest: Starting this year, a robust series of summer events—including familiar celebrations like KidsFest and the River Run Boat Races—will be promoted under the title, "Haverhill's RiverFest." The centerpiece of the RiverFest Series will be a brand new event called "River Ruckus," tentatively scheduled for August 14 this year. With activities located near the newest section of boardwalk behind The Tap restaurant, and extended along Washington and Wingate Streets, planners for River Ruckus are considering such components as a classic car show, an art show, varied street entertainment, and a lighted boat parade or laser light show over the river in the evening. Planning Committee Chairs are Warren Gerety and Leota Sarrette, and the next meeting is scheduled for March 22, 6:30 pm, at the Pentucket Bank community room.
Expanded Recycling: Team Haverhill salutes Mayor James Fiorentini, Public Works Director Michael Stankovich, and trash-hauler Capital Waste for concluding agreements that will allow citywide pick-up of mixed recyclables to begin this summer. Since community residents first raised the recycling issue at our Possible Dreams event in January 2008, Team Haverhill has been promoting this important change through effective partnerships, fact-based research, workable goals, and a can-do attitude.¬ But there is still plenty of work ahead to inform residents and motivate broader participation; Team Haverhill's recycling team will be meeting weekly to prepare for an effective summer roll-out, with plans for an improved brochure and promotion through the public schools as a key link to households.
Farmers' Market: Starting on July 17, the market will open at 9 am every Saturday in the 2010 season. Organizers are booking musicians and planning events, and will join Haverhill's Brightside at the "Haverhill Goes Green" Earth Day event on April 25. On Monday, April 26, the Farmers' Market will launch a monthly lecture series with a talk from David Ross, a local beekeeper, who will discuss beekeeping and colony collapse. Check the Web site www.haverhillfarmersmarket.org for events and opportunities to get involved.
Murals: Community residents and groups are signing up now to create squares for a 16x32-foot banner to hang on Wingate Street. The theme is "Connecting the Community through the Arts." Canvases will be distributed over the next few weeks, and painting will begin soon under the guidance of professional artist Emily Boulger.
Mentoring: The Haverhill Youth Mentoring Network will launch a pilot project in October 2010 that will match well-trained mentors with 25 children at the Tilton School. Team Haverhill is one partner in this effort, along with Haverhill's YWCA, YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, and the public schools. Efforts are underway to raise $25,000 for this project, which is being designed with the support of a regional organization called Mass Mentors.
Rail Trail and Playgrounds: Team Haverhill is working in partnership with the City to accomplish the initial clearing of the Bradford-side rail trail, which will eventually be part of a continuous recreational loop on both sides of the river, connected by the bridges. The Rail Trail project team will meet on March 19th at 6:30pm, City Hall, Room 301. Playground renovation at Swazey Field will also continue in 2010, in partnership with the City. Team Haverhill will recruit 20 volunteers for this work once a date is set.
Soles of Haverhill: While the Shoe-la-bration is taking a summer off, work on public art projects continues. Plans will be announced soon for a new commissioned sculpture downtown, featuring a nationally-known artist.
Support for Haverhill Athletics: In 2010, Team Haverhill has already sponsored Hillie Pride Night at a home basketball game, and supported the Boosters' Comedy Night last week. Team Haverhill is proud to be a lead sponsor of the Golf Tournament Fundraiser this spring—stay tuned for the date.
Anyone with a stake in the life of our community is welcome to participate in Team Haverhill meetings (usually the second Monday at 7 pm, in the Pentucket Bank community room), or in specific projects. Questions or comments are welcome at team.haverhill@comcast.net.
Alice Mann is chairwoman of Team Haverhill.
