Posted on: Thursday, July 12, 2018
By BILL WATERHOUSE
Realtor, Farrelly Realty Group
NORTH READING — My wife Tracy and I started to search for our forever home back in 1997. We had two children at the time. Wes was 2 and Mitchell not even a year old.
We both grew up in Charlestown where we purchased our first home soon after marriage. We knew everyone, family was close by, we could walk to the store, our church, and the parks. We were comfortable in our home and surroundings. With our children creeping toward school age we started to think about what our forever home and community would look like.
We had good friends who had recently moved to Reading so we started there and then expanded our search to the surrounding communities. Of course we “dotted all the i’s and crossed all the t’s” in researching school systems, property tax rates, gas vs. oil, and septic vs. sewer, etc. The one thing, at the time, we didn’t find out about was all the nuances of the communities we were exploring. Once we settled on North Reading we never looked back.
North Reading – from the drive in on Haverhill Street, when you see picturesque Jackson Farm – is like you are transcending time. You proceed down Haverhill Street to the quintessential Town Center; from Ryer’s Store, to the Flint Memorial Library, to the Town Common where the children sled down in the Winter – you will never want to leave.
I thought I would give an overview of some of the nuances of this town – right at your finger tips – no Google search needed, links included…
Fun Family Traditions:
1) Annual Turkey Trot – www.northreadingturkeytrot.com this is the 10th year. Thanksgiving morning family and friends gather near Ipswich River Park (IRP) for this fun 5 K giving you plenty of time to freshen up for the annual NR vs. Lynnfield Thanksgiving Day football game (Lynnfield is hosting this year).
2) Martin’s Pond Annual Fishing Derby – Held annually the end of June.
3) North Reading Town Day, held in June, “brings the community together just before summer vacation and features free entertainment, kids activities, and great food.”
4) North Reading Farmers Market – runs for 10 Wednesdays in the Summer at IRP.
5) North Reading Tree Lighting – Usually the Sunday after Thanksgiving at Town Common. Santa will be there.
6) Sledding at Town Common – The town places hay bales and fencing to keep this safe.
7) Memorial Day Parade – Town Center.
These events are just a few of the many held. So much family and community fun to be had here in North Reading.
North Reading Parks and Fields and Youth Sports:
1) Benevento Memorial Park- Central Street. This is North Reading Little League Central. I have many fond memories of coaching and watching our boys play ball here. One of the highlights for each North Reading Little Leaguer (www.nrll.org) is they each get the chance to play “under the lights.” Always plenty of parking and a snack shack.
2) Chestnut Street Complex – Chestnut Street. Here you will find a basketball court, softball field, and multiple soccer fields (www.nrys.org). There is ample parking here with a snack shack opened during most games. Next to the fields is The Kid Spot. This was one of our favorite parks when Wes, Mitchell, and Aubreigh were little with nice shade keeping it cool on hotter days and every structure is within close proximity so it’s easy to keep an eye on all the kids.
3) Clarke Park/Martins Pond- Burroughs Road. What a gem. You will find sand volleyball, basketball, a playground, and picnic area, as well as scenic Martins Pond. Our kids loved going to the annual Martins Pond Fishing Derby. The derby is usually held toward the end of June. The Martin’s Pond Association is amazing. Visit www.martinspond.org or check out their Facebook page.
4) Ipswich River Park – Central Street. This 49 acre oasis, established back in the mid-1990’s, is like no other I have seen. You park your car and walk in to this carry-in/carry-out recreational park. There are walking trails, tennis courts, playground (not a lot of shade), street hockey rink, basketball courts, skate park, softball fields (www.northreadingsoftball.com), and many soccer fields. There is the beautiful Gazebo that hosts town barbeques with entertainment and a Farmer’s Market in the summer. North Reading Parks and Recreation office is housed at the Wheeler Property next to the IRP (www.northreadingma.gov/park-recreation). They offer classes and day trips for all ages.
5) There are also the fields and complexes at our schools. The High School has football (www.nrhornets.com), baseball, soccer, lacrosse (www.nryll.org), field hockey (through Parks & Rec) and track. The Hood School has a baseball field. The Little School offers three softball fields. The Rita Mullin Field, Lowell Street and The Murphy Fields on North Street are also available.
Our family has planted its roots here in North Reading – much like the symbolic Great Oak at Town Center. So many memories made and more to create here in this quaint town.
We at Farrelly Realty are committed to help you find your forever home – wherever that may be. We pride ourselves on exploring every aspect of one of the largest purchases you will make. We also will ensure, if you are at the time in your life where you are ready to downsize and move from the home where all those memories were made, that we will help guide and advise you to make the transition a smooth one.
Feel free to contact me at 978-726-0505 or bill@farrellyrealty.com for any of your real estate needs.
