Spot Pond Comm. learns from Lake Quannapowitt
Published on June 10th, 1998
STONEHAM, MA - As the Spot Pond Committee strives to put together a master plan regarding the future recreational use of Spot Pond for submittal to the MDC, it has begun reaching out to those who have experience in similar projects in an effort to tap into ideas and advice which may prove helpful in the endeavor.
Chairman Steve Sylvester explained that the committee is "now in a learning process" as he welcomed Corey Hellmer of Wakefield's Friends of Lake Quannapowitt to last Thursday night's meeting.
Hellmer described the evolvement of her organization, which attempts to preserve and promote Quannapowitt as well as working to keep the lake area "active and available." The group was organized by Wakefield's Open Space Committee approximately 10 years ago. At that time, according to Hellmer, the town of Wakefield "saw a real need to protect the lake."
This origin somewhat parallels the beginnings of the Spot Pond Committee which has been charged, following recommendation by Stoneham's Open Space Committee, with proposing a plan to the MDC promoting Stoneham's interest in development of the area.
The input from Hellmer consisted of a history of Lake Quannapowitt and the Friends organization, as well as a summary of the current state of affairs with regard to development around the lake.
While Wakefield owns approximately three quarters of the lake, according to Hellmer, a portion of which was acquired from the MDC in the 1920's, much of the area at the north end has been sold by the town to private parties and is currently being transformed into an office park.
This development has caused "great sadness" to the Friends of Lake Quannapowitt as well as to other concerned citizens, Hellmer stated. "We fought tooth and nail" against the sale, she said.
The timing of the Spot Pond Committee's involvement in the MDC's discussions regarding the future use of the pond is appropriate, according to Hellmer
"I think you're here at the right time. There is no building (going on)."
She further cautioned the committee against allowing commercial businesses to encroach upon the area as has happened at Quannapowitt.
With the "tremendous amount of change" over the years at Lake Quannapowitt, Hellmer advised that the lake is now considered "very much an urban pond."
According to Hellmer, the Friends of Lake Quannapowitt have created five goals for the lake area which have been adopted as its mission: to preserve and enhance the lake, protect its shoreline from encroachment, educate the public, provide safe recreation, and maintain water quality.
With regard to funding, Hellmer urged the committee to "go after all grants" that may be available through state and federal agencies. In addition, she suggested reaching out to other organizations, particularly to town boards, the Public Works Department as well as the Friends of the Stone Zoo since, she predicted, "you'll need them."
Another of Hellmer's suggestions included consideration of handicap accessibility to the recreational areas. In addition to availing the area to additional grant money due to conformance with the American Disabilities Act, she also advised that such conformance was a great public service.
She cautioned, however, to not "count on getting all your money from the government," but also to focus on procuring private support, just as the Friends of Lake Quannapowitt is currently doing by working with some of the businesses at the north end of the lake.
"I wish you the best. I think this place is a treasure," Hellmer stated.
Stoneham's Railroad Land Use Committee Chairman Cameron Bain was also on hand Thursday night and advised the committee to "join forces with the other communities" that will be involved in the project, such as Winchester, Malden and Medford to enlist greater support of the master plan.
By adding the support from each of these communities for the master plan, Bain suggested that the committee might also add the support of each of the legislators from those communities. This political leverage will be necessary, he predicted, when presenting the plan to the MDC.
As the committee aims for the first of next year to have a plan together, Sylvester called Hellmer and Bain's visit "another building block to our foundation," and acknowledged that the input of various other groups will also be sought during this process.
The next meeting of the committee will take place on June 14 as the members will enjoy a walking tour of the area beginning at the Botume House.
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