Edward F. Loring Arena is a town-run ice skating rink. Framingham Youth Hockey is run out of the arena, and several schools and groups play hockey and figure skate there, including Framingham High School and Middle School, and Framingham State University. It is open to the public for skating year-round, with low admission and skate rental fees. Amenities include a full-service skate shop and snack bar.
Bowditch Field Athletic and Cultural Complex was named for Nathaniel Bowditch, a 1908 charter member of the Framingham Parks and Recreation and owner of Milwood Farm in 1946, a year after he died. Bowditch Field, maintained by the Framingham Parks and Recreation Department, is the home of the Framingham Flyers. It dates back to 1917, when the Town of Framingham agreed to purchased the fair grounds to be used as athletic fields. The Field has a long history. In the 1920s, a semi-pro football team the Lion Tamers played on the field. The first high school game was played in 1924. In 1936, the Boston Braves, a NFL franchise practiced at the field. In 1937, that team became the Washington Redskins. In 1958, high school graduation ceremonies were moved to Bowditch Field. And between 1963-1990, Framingham North and Framingham South played football before the field's largest crowds. Night lights were added in 1985. In 1997, the Boston Renegades, a professional womens soccer team played its inaugural season at Bowditch. The team continued to play there through 2008. In Nov. 2009, after approval from Town meeting, renovations began on the current field complex.
Sudbury River Tennis Club is a private club located on Edgell Road. Tennis courts are clay and set back from the road in a wooded area. Men's and women's locker rooms are available. Membership is by application, and there is usually a waiting list. Members may sign up for private and group lessons, clinics, and teams for men, women and children. In addition, there are camp programs for children.
Established in 2000, Aikido Framingham is located in the business complex on Fountain Street near Waverely Street.
Aikido Framingham teaches Aikido classes to adults and kids. Aikido means "the way of unity with the fundamental force of the universe." It is a Japanese martial art that dates back to the 1920s.
The head instructor is David Halprin, a 6th-degree black belt with more than 25 years of experience. Newcomers should ask about the "No Obligation Beginners Special."
White Water MMA is a mixed martial arts academy, teaching fighters of all levels. Disciplines taught at the school include Muay Thai, Jiu-Jitsu, boxing and wrestling. The school also competes in tournaments, though it is by no means necessary to be on a team. The facility, located in the Tropic Isle Plaza on Route 9 East, has over 2,000 square feet of well-maintained training space. The school offers a free trial class, and there are several options for payment.
Catering to the athletic pursuits of the Framingham community and beyond, the Metrowest YMCA is dedicated to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The many programs the Y offers includes swimming, a wellness center, basketball, music, dance, mind/body/spirit and many more, for families and individuals of all ages. Fees are inexpensive compared to private facilities, and there is financial assistance available.
Located near busy Route 9, Framingham Country Club provides a calm oasis. This private country club features an 18-hole golf course, pro shop and in-ground swimming pool. Members can swing clubs on the grassy driving range. Prospective members can call to inquire about dues and events.
Focus on Fitness is a full service gym located adjacent to the Danforth building on Fountain Street. The gym offers state-of-the-art fitness equipment and services. With 15,000 square feet and two floors of gym space, there is something for every workout warrior. Services at the club include personal training, child care, weight loss programs, tanning, massage and more. There are also many different classes per week in fitness, yoga, swimming and spinning.
The Yoga Leaf is a yoga studio located in Framingham. The family studio offers an array of classes for individuals of all ages and skill levels. The Yoga Leaf specializes in yoga for children, offering joint child and adult companion classes for children as young as 2 years old. Group teen, adult and pre-natal yoga classes are also offered. Additional services include workshops and birthday parties. For further inquiries, phone The Yoga Leaf.
The law office of Thomas G. Waldstein is located at 24 Union Ave. in the Hemenway building. Waldstein has been servicing the Framingham community for 35 years. He specializes in bankruptcy, real estate as well as criminal defense.
Billed as the "hottest yoga studio in Massachusetts," the friendly owner of Mystic Fitness Yoga Studio, Amy, promises the best selection of yoga classes around. Tucked behind the Trolley Square mall in Framingham Center, this 4100 square-foot space is the place to meet your yoga goals. With close to 30 classes per week, primarily in the Bikram and Vinyasa yoga styles, Mystic Fitness is flexible enough to cater to almost everyone's busy schedule.
Callahan State Park is a perfect park for hikers, dog lovers, kite flyers, horseback riders, mountain bikers, cross-country skiers, snowshoers, and sledders. There are several large fields and ponds and nearly eight miles of wooded trails within Callahan's 820 acres. Callahan is a favorite spot for dog owners, and dogs are usually off-leash here, so if you are afraid of dogs, be aware that you might encounter a canine adventurer who is looking to make new friends.
Must see/do at Callahan State Park
If there's snow on the ground, grab your snowshoes or cross-country skis and explore this winter wonderland. Park by the South Entrance on Millwood Street and sled down the Earthen Dam into the field with a relatively easy hike back up Moore Road. On a windy day, stand along the Earthen Dam trail for ideal kite-flying. In any weather, continue into the park via Moore Road to an especially picturesque spot with a second open field, Eagle Pond on the right, and the woods further ahead. There is also a picnic table here, so it's a great spot to have a snack or lunch. Be sure to go into the woods and explore the many hiking trails.
Best and worst time to go to Callahan State Park
If possible, avoid going to Callahan for several days after wet weather. Even if the sun is shining, the trails remain quite muddy and take days to dry out. This also applies to the spring thaw: the shaded woods can be very messy, so plan footwear accordingly and bring towels to dry off muddy dogs. Especially in or after wetter conditions, there will be a lot of mosquitos in the woods, so bug spray is a must.
Admission to Callahan State Park
Admission and parking in any of the three lots are free.
Wildlife at Callahan State Park
Callahan is a great spot to find endangered pink Lady Slipper orchids. Listen for chicadees and woodpeckers. Visitors have also sighted garter and water snakes; snapping, red bellied, and spotted turtles; coyotes; fisher cats; white-tailed deer; red foxes; herons; egrets; red tail hawks; largemouth bass in the ponds; and many other species of indigenous New England wildlife.
Insider tip for visitors to Callahan State Park
Always check for ticks, even if you stay on the main paths. Definitely check your dogs for ticks, too. Both deer and dog ticks are abundant at Callahan, and deer ticks can carry Lyme Disease. While dogs are required to be on leash on the main trails (as opposed to on the smaller trails labeled as "hiking trails"), most dogs are not leashed anywhere in Callahan with the possible exception of the first field by the South Entrance or in the parking lots. Also, always keep an eye out for horse manure on the trails; horses and their riders tend to frequent the park early in the day, but poop is an all-day thing.
Author's bio: Deborah Jarvis is a freelance writer who grew up and currently lives in the Greater Boston Area. She never pahks her cah in Hahvahd Yahd and tries not to drive like she's from Boston if she can help it. Her dogs love to go to Callahan and are lifetime members of Mud-seekers Anonymous.
Located on California Avenue near the Bose corporate offices, Evolve Fitness has a variety of modern equipment including weight machines, treadmills, cycles and free weights. One-on-one training sessions as well as group training sessions are held regularly. The gym also has a full juice and shake bar where nutritious drinks are made fresh to order. Entrees are also avaialble including the popular favorite grilled chicken and pasta. Low carb and no carb items are also available.
Jump Around is a full-service party center for children. The center can be reserved in two-hour blocks for parties. Activities for the children, which are always safe and supervised, largely revolve around jumping, sliding, and playing on moonwalk-types of surfaces. Everything is either padded or air-cushioned, so parents can relax and know their children are safe and having a great time. It also has an area for toddlers to play in. After all the jumping around is done, there are rooms for eating and opening presents. Jump Around provides all the supplies needed, all you have to do is provide the food, kids and presents.
This private club is located in Framingham on the scenic Belknap Rd. The pool is secluded in the woods. The pool club is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Other facilities include tennis courts, a playground, grills and picnic tables. Wireless Internet is available on the entire property. For membership information call 508-405-4125.
Oom Yung Doe is a traditional taekawndo and moo doe studio located on Worcester Road. Master Kim Style has been teaching Framingham students this style of martial arts for over 30 years. Oom Yung Doe is one of the most powerful styles of martial arts, due to its strong movements and incredible history. Training is available starting at the age of 6 years old. A variety of different training programs are available based on your schedule and how intense you want your training.