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Welcome to Bedford!
If you're new to the town of Bedford, Massachusetts, here are some suggestions to make you feel at home.
Get Acclimated
- Most of the Bedford town buildings are located on Mudge Way, including the Police Department, the Town Offices, the Town Center (the yellow building, previously the Union School), the Library, the playground, the playing fields, and the Bedford High School.
- The Town Common is located in front of the First Parish Church (Unitarian Universalist) at 75 Great Road. The Town Common is the site for many concerts, fairs, and other events. Nearby, you'll see the Fire Department at 55 Great Road. At 16 South Road near the Common, you'll find the Old Town Hall, recently renovated and with space available for rent. This area around Town Common is also known as Bedford Center.
- Along the Great Road, there are posts commemorating the march of the Bedford Minutemen on April 19, 1775 as they headed toward Concord at the start of the American Revolution.
- The Town of Bedford owns more than 600 acres of conservation land. Visit the Bedford + Neighbors page for web links. Fawn Lake and the Minuteman Bikeway are favorites.
- Springs Brook Park is the town-owned summer spot, with a swimming pond featuring lap lanes, a dock, and a slide; a sandy beach; a sprinkler park; a playground; volleyball and other sports. The Bedford Recreation department oversees the Park and its Red Cross-certified swimming lessons.
- Try the Bedford Historical Scavenger Hunt.
Get Connected
- The weekly newspaper, The Bedford Minuteman, comes out every Thursday. It will help keep you up to date on Bedford news and events.
- Join the BedfordKids Yahoo email group. Discuss family-oriented things to do, events, local resources, kid-friendly businesses, Bedford Family Connection, preschool and K-12, etc.
- Join the Bedford, MA Yahoo email group. Find services, discuss local happenings, and connect with other residents.
- Check your mailbox for the Bedford Recreation brochures describing the various classes for kids (and adults!) in town. The brochures come out quarterly. You can see the listings and sign up for classes online.
- Visit Chip-in Farm at 201 Hartwell Road, a family-owned farm and old-fashioned general store. The farm sells its own eggs and produce. Meet Oreo the bunny, Mr. Pickles the goat, and some 4-H animals as well.
- Check the Activities page for local classes and activities.
- Check the Adventures page for fun trips and things to do.
- Check the Bedford + Neighbors page for more Bedford links.
- Bedford Youth & Family Services oversees the WIC and fuel assistance programs.
Get Around
- Bedford Local Transit (BLT)
- MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Association)
- Bus 62 (Bedford VA Hospital/Alewife Station)
- Commuter Rail from Anderson RTC/Woburn, Lincoln, Concord, etc.
- Massport (Massachusetts, airports, bridges, ports)
For Parents with Young Children
- Join the Bedford Family Connection for families with children 0-5. The BFC offers children events every month and a playroom to meet other families. Through the BFC you can connect to Playgroups, Babysitting Co-ops, Book Clubs, Mom’s Nights, and more. The monthly newsletter alone is worth the membership fee because it gives ideas on things going on in the town for preschool-age kids.
- The Bedford Public Library has free storytimes, filled with stories, puppets, and music. There are advance registration storytimes as well as drop-in sessions.
- Bedford and surrounding communities have plenty of childcare, nursery, and preschool opportunities.
- Go to the playground on Mudge Way. It was completely redone in the Fall of 2007.
- Take pre-gymnastics classes with Jennifer. Take a soccer class too. Contact Bedford Recreation for the schedule.
For Parents with School-Age Children
- In 2007 and 2008, Bedford was chosen as one of 100 Best Communities for Young People by America's Promise - The Alliance for Youth.
- Volunteer at your child's school. Through the parent/teacher organizations, you can volunteer to help in classrooms, in the art room, in the library, even in the lunchroom. You can be a chaperone on a field trip (and maybe even ride the big yellow bus!). If you're not available during the days, there are still volunteer opportunities and party projects to do.
- The Bedford Public Library has special programs throughout the year for school-age children, from reading programs to special performances.
- Besides the playground and the playing fields, there's a skateboard park behind the Town Center Building (the yellow building) at 12 Mudge Way.
Annual Events
- April: Patriots Day Pole Capping parade and observance at Wilson Park (Bedford Minuteman Company, a historic re-enactors group)
- May: First Parish annual Plant & Craft Fair (First Parish)
- May: Memorial Day parade with civics groups and bands (Patriotic Holiday Committee)
- June: Senior Prom Stroll
- Fourth of July: events at Springs Brook Park (Recreation dept.) and in town (Public Ceremonies Committee)
- July: summer concert series on the Town Common every Thursday night (Public Ceremonies Committee/Recreation dept.)
- September: Bedford Day Parade & Fair (Public Ceremonies Committee/Recreation dept.) The town's actual birthday is September 23.
- November: Bedford Unplugged (Bedford Youth & Family Services)
- November: Veterans Day laying wreaths at Memorial Park (Patriotic Holiday Committee)
- November: Flavors of Bedford (Chamber of Commerce)
- December: annual holiday tree lighting ceremony on the Town Common (Public Ceremonies Committee/Recreation Dept.)
- December: Holiday House Tour (Chamber of Commerce)
- December 24: Bedford Santa
Top 10 Things to Do in Bedford this Summer:
- Take swimming lessons and splash around the water park at Springs Brook Park.
- Sign up for activities and sports all summer long through the Bedford Recreation department.
- Visit the Bedford Farmer's Market every Monday afternoon for fresh fruits, veggies, eggs, meats, bakery items, salsa, and much more!
- Listen to the bands and dance along every Thursday night at the Concerts on the Common.
- Visit the Bedford Public Library for Stories on the Lawn every Wednesday morning and check the Calendar for more special events.
- Enjoy the playground and playing fields on Mudge Way.
- Take a hike through some of Bedford's conservation areas.
- Certify your back yard as a wildlife habitat.
- Take a ride on the Minuteman Bikeway.
- Visit Bedford Farms Ice Cream for a treat.
See also the Bedford + Neighbors and Shop Local pages.
If you have anything else to add, let me know.
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© 2003-2009 Robin C. Mason, WordsWorth2
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