5 Things You Need to Know Today in Worcester – Dec. 7, 2020

In today’s daily 5 Things You Need to Know feature, ThisWeekinWorcester.com explores five important items and stories that Worcester and Central Massachusetts residents should keep a close eye on.

These five things can cover a whole range of subjects and issues that we feel are pertinent to understanding what’s going on in the city and the cities and towns surrounding Worcester.

In today’s edition – Monday, December 7 – there’s three days of free COVID-19 testing at Mercantile Center in downtown Worcester this week, the City will host three public meetings on Worcester’s open space and recreation plan, plans for the Crompton Park Skatepark will be finalized at a meeting next week, there’s 15 days to give blood in Worcester before the end of the year and the Planting the Seed Foundation’s annual toy drive is in full swing.

Free COVID-19 Testing this Week in Worcester

As part of the state’s Stop the Spread campaign, the City of Worcester and the UMass Memorial COVID-19 Task Force will be providing free COVID-19 testing over three days this week. No appointment is necessary.

• Monday, Dec. 7, 12 PM to 3 PM, Mercantile Center, 201 Commercial St.
• Tuesday, Dec. 8, 11 AM to 3 PM, Mercantile Center, 201 Commercial St.
• Thursday, Dec. 10, 11 AM to 3 PM, Mercantile Center, 201 Commercial St.

For more information, click here.

Final Conceptual Design of Crompton Park Skatepark Revealed Next Week

Next week, the Department of Public Works will reveal the final conceptual design at the next Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. The meeting will be held virtually on December 17 at 6:30 PM.

The design plans are a combination of ideas from input at public meetings from residents and the skateboarding community. If approved by the Commission, the skatepark’s Master Plan will be submitted to the City Council for a vote.

For information on attending the virtual meeting, click here.

Here are 15 Opportunities to Give Blood in Worcester Before End of Year

The American Red Cross is urging people that are feeling well to give blood and platelets this holiday season.

You can make an appointment to give blood, platelets or plasma by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-Red Cross or downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor app.

Anyone who donates blood, platelets or plasma with the Red Cross between Dec. 18 to Jan. 4 will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

Here are 15 Opportunities to Give Blood this Month in Worcester:

1. 12/16/2020: 12 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., Worcester Blood Donation Center, 381 Plantation Street
2. 12/17/2020: 11:15 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., Worcester Blood Donation Center, 381 Plantation Street
3. 12/18/2020: 8:15 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Worcester Blood Donation Center, 381 Plantation Street
4. 12/19/2020: 8:15 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Worcester Blood Donation Center, 381 Plantation Street
5. 12/20/2020: 8:15 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Worcester Blood Donation Center, 381 Plantation Street
6. 12/21/2020: 12 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Worcester Blood Donation Center, 381 Plantation Street
7. 12/22/2020: 12 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Worcester Blood Donation Center, 381 Plantation Street
8. 12/23/2020: 12 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., Worcester Blood Donation Center, 381 Plantation Street
9. 12/24/2020: 8:15 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Worcester Blood Donation Center, 381 Plantation Street
10. 12/26/2020: 8:15 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Worcester Blood Donation Center, 381 Plantation Street
11. 12/27/2020: 8:15 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Worcester Blood Donation Center, 381 Plantation Street
12. 12/28/2020: 12 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Worcester Blood Donation Center, 381 Plantation Street
13. 12/29/2020: 12 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Worcester Blood Donation Center, 381 Plantation Street
14. 12/30/2020: 12 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., Worcester Blood Donation Center, 381 Plantation Street
15. 12/31/2020: 8:15 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Worcester Blood Donation Center, 381 Plantation Street

Planting the Seed Foundation Holding 48th Annual Toy Drive

The Planting the Seed Foundation is accepting donations towards its 48th Annual Toy Drive this week.

Unwrapped toys can be dropped at Worcester Fitness on Grove St. this week from Monday to Thursday.

Each year, Planting the Seed Foundation delivers more than 5,000 toys to children in need.  For information on how to make a monetary donation, see the flyer below:

City to Host Three Meetings this Month on Open Space and Recreation Plan

The Department of Public Works and Parks will host three virtual meetings on the city’s Open Space and Recreation Plan for Districts 3, 4 and 5 on three days this month.

The meetings will inform residents on has been received from the initial meetings, survey results and other communications related to the Plan submitted to the City.

The dates of the public hearings are as follows: 

District 3: Monday, December 14, 2020 at 6:30 PM 

If you choose to use the WebEx platform: 

1. Go to www.webex.com
2. Click the “join” button on the top right side of the screen 
3. Enter the meeting access code: 180 508 3241
4. Enter password: Openspace12-14

 If you choose to attend via phone: 

1. Call 1-415-655-0001 
2. Enter the meeting access code: 180 508 3241 

District 4: Monday, December 21, 2020 at 6:30 PM 

If you choose to use the WebEx platform: 

1. Go to www.webex.com
2. Click the “join” button on the top right side of the screen 
3. Enter the meeting access code: 180 961 9570 
4. Enter password: Openspace12-21 

If you choose to attend via phone: 

1. Call 1-415-655-0001 
2. Enter the meeting access code: 180 961 9570 

District 5: Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at 6:30 PM 

If you choose to use the WebEx platform: 

1. Go to www.webex.com 
2. Click the “join” button on the top right side of the screen 
3. Enter the meeting access code: 180 748 7203 
4. Enter password: Openspace12-23 

If you choose to attend via phone: 

• Call 1-415-655-0001 
• Enter the meeting access code: 180 748 7203