Gardner City issues July community update: Greenwood Pool repairs, library programs and summer events

A city staff member opened Gardner City’s July community update with announcements about summer services, events and facility schedules, including progress on repairs at Greenwood Pool and a calendar of cultural and family activities.

The staff member said Greenwood Pool underwent repairs to fix a crack and that new filter covers were ordered. "We’re hoping to have the pool open very soon," the staff member said, and thanked Brandon Huey and his team for running the pool this summer. The pool’s regular public hours were announced as noon to 5:00 p.m. daily, with lap swim only on Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; Sunday hours will vary. Season passes are available for purchase at the pool or at the city’s human resources office in Room 226 at Gardner City Hall. Pool rentals are scheduled around public swim times and lessons; rental inquiries should be directed to Brandon Huey via the city’s contact channels.

The update highlighted the Levi Haywood Memorial Library’s summer reading kickoff, which the staff member said drew more than 300 people. Library director Marita Clemens and her team were thanked for organizing the event. The program serves all ages (seniors, adults, teens and students) and includes incentives that let participants earn points. The library will also host concerts on its lawn; details are available on the library’s website, Facebook page and newsletter.

Cultural offerings include a Garden Museum photography exhibit titled "Memories Alive in Images," running through August 30 at 28 Pearl Street. The museum is open Wednesday–Sunday, 1:00–4:00 p.m., and admission for nonmembers is $3 per visit, the staff member said.

Several community events were previewed: the 9th annual Gardner Food Truck Festival is scheduled for Saturday, July 11, noon–5:00 p.m.; the Gardner Farmers Market will hold a July market on Saturday, July 18, 9:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.; and the 2026 American Day in the Park will take place Sunday, July 19, 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. at the Gardner Fish and Gun Club (538 Clark Street). The staff member said the Patriot Riders are organizing American Day this year. The 13th annual Greater Gardner National Night Out is scheduled for Thursday, August 6, 5:30 p.m. at Gardner High School’s soccer field; Veronica Patty, the prevention coordinator with the health department, was thanked for her role in organizing the event.

Operational reminders included yard-waste collection scheduled for July 7–10 on residents’ regular pickup days; the staff member said residents should contact the Board of Health if a collection is missed. City Hall will be closed Friday, July 3, for Independence Day observance (the holiday falls on Saturday this year). Curbside trash pickup will not be delayed that week, but the transfer station will be closed on Saturday, July 4.

The Monument Park concert series continues on Saturdays; the bandstand committee noted the series is fully funded by donations and provided a QR code and online payment option for tax-deductible contributions. The staff member encouraged residents to take advantage of Gardner’s parks, conservation lands and recreational facilities this summer, noting beaches, trails, playgrounds, the dog park, and local golf and disc-golf courses.

Closing the update, the staff member offered Independence Day greetings and reflected on Gardner City’s historical ties to Colonel Thomas Gardner and the nation’s early history on the 250th anniversary. The staff member said another update will appear before August.