Natick opens holiday cooling center as dam drawdown and Route 9 sale make news
**Friday, July 3 – Saturday, July 4 (noon–6 p.m. both days)** — The First Congregational Church of Natick, in collaboration with the town, is hosting a Cooling Center at the church during the holiday weekend heat. The center is open noon to 6 p.m. today and again on Saturday, July 4, providing a free air-conditioned refuge for residents who need it. https://www.natickma.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=13107
**Friday, July 3** — The Charles River Dam drawdown is well underway, and residents passing the dam area may notice stretches of exposed riverbed where water typically flows. In-water construction work is scheduled to begin July 16 as part of the dam improvement project; the town has posted a video update and additional details online. https://www.natickma.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?aid=1631 — WCVB also covered the visible changes along the river in a report headlined "Charles River in Natick lowered for dam removal project," noting the unusual sight of exposed rocks and mud along the Charles River corridor, per WCVB. https://www.wcvb.com/article/natick-charles-river-dam-removal-drawdown/71811469
**Friday, July 3** — MassDOT has issued an updated notice on the Routes 27/9 interchange improvement project in Natick. Residents and commuters should check the town's alert page for current lane or traffic information tied to that work. https://www.natickma.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?aid=1633
**Friday, July 3** — The former Party City building on Route 9 in Natick has been sold, MetroWest Daily News reports, with the sale topping $7 million. Reporter Beth McDermott's piece identifies the buyer and explores what may come next for the prominent commercial property, per the MetroWest Daily News. https://www.metrowestdailynews.com/story/business/real-estate/2026/07/02/former-party-city-building-route-9-natick-ma-sold-more-than-7-million-dollars/90769108007/
**Saturday, July 4 (all day)** — Natick's July 4th Community Picnic takes place on the Town Common, celebrating the nation's 250th birthday. The event features music, games, and a children's parade welcoming decorated wagons, bikes, strollers, and wheelchairs. Natick Patch has a full guide to local Independence Day celebrations headlined "July 4th Events Around Natick For 2026," per Natick Patch. https://patch.com/massachusetts/natick/july-4th-events-around-natick-2026 https://www.natickma.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=12983
**Week of Monday, July 6** — The town's 2026 roadway improvement crew has released its schedule for the week of July 6. Residents should check the town's alert page for specific streets affected. https://www.natickma.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?aid=1632
**Wednesday, July 16** — In-water construction on the Charles River Dam project is set to begin, following the controlled drawdown that started this week. The town has encouraged residents to follow ongoing updates online.