Part 2 - March 4, 2012

With the warmer than usual winter some Lexington kids are already thinking of summer!  The Irving H. Mabee Pool Complex will open the fist weekend of June.  The complex consists of four pools that host about 75,000 people annually. 

The first pool was completed in 1928 and it is what is now called the lap pool.  In 1968 the Garrity Pool, the pool where most young swimmers spend a great deal of time after graduating from the wading pool, was name after John J. Garrity.  Mr. Garrity was the Superintendent of Parks and Playgrounds for many years and a tireless supporter of 4-H programs, the Boy Scouts, and many other town activities.

The complex was officially named after Mr. Mabee in 2010.  Mr. Mabee was a Selectman and on the Permanent Building Committee.  He was very involved in the creation of the pool complex and helping to create a fun space for all swimmers.

How much water does each pool hold?

• Wading: 12,000 gallons
• Garrity: 63.000 gallons
• Diving: 82,000 gallons
• Lap: 113,100 gallons

The goal of these posts is to highlight great town locations for children and give a bit of history. Send your ideas to me: Jane Hundley

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Part 1 - February 5, 2012

As the mom of elementary and middle school students and Lexington Public Schools K-5 Social Studies Coordinator, I am asking kids for their input on adding to this column. The goal is to highlight great town locations and give a bit of history.  For this first report, I used my own children, Cooper and Audrey, for my polling sample.
Both of the kids immediately said, “Hayden! We get to see our friends, play hockey, have art classes, and it feels comfortable-like coming home:”  

The founders of the Centre would be very pleased with their endorsement. Josiah Willard Hayden, William Greeley, and Henry Putman formed the Lexington Gymnasium Foundation in 1906.  The Foundation spent decades planning and raising funds for what would become the Josiah Willard Hayden Recreation Centre that includes the
John P. Chase Skating Facility.  Since their openings over fifty years ago (upper Hayden was completed in 1958 with the skating rink opening in 1960) the facilities have received upgrades to meet the changing needs of the community including an additional 15 feet of ice to increase the rink to Olympic size, improved locker rooms,
updated lobby areas and extensive infrastructure changes. The two facilities are part of what make Lexington unique!

Please email your kid's favorite places to Jane for future articles to Jane Hundley


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