Grand plans underway for Spot Pond area
Published on October 14th, 1998
STONEHAM, MA - Big plans abound in Stoneham and last week's meeting of the Spot Pond Committee addressed the benefit to the community if some of these individual projects work together.
While the Spot Pond Committee continues to put together a wish list regarding a possible recreational area at and around the pond for submittal to the MDC, the Stone Zoo has already begun its monumental undertaking which will convert the existing zoo into the nation's first earth park.
With the zoo abutting both Spot Pond and a future walking trail that the committee foresees circumventing the pond, each group has recognized the other's contribution toward, its future success.
One day prior to last week's meeting, committee members toured the zoo, learned details of plans to renovate the zoo, and got a good look at the area where the zoo and pond land abut each other.
Cynthia Mead, Site Manager of the Stone Zoo, advised committee members that plans for the first phase of zoo renovation consist of an elevated walkway through a portion of the zoo.
Accessibility to the zoo's newest exhibits, that of the snow leopard and the Mexican grey wolves, have necessitated the walkway, since the topography of the land has made handicap accessibility in that area impossible.
"It's not an easy walk," described Mead who also stated that the walkway will allow the zoo to be utilized to its fullest.
The walkway will eventually extend to other areas in the zoo and expand out toward the pond. Mead illustrated to the committee, with architect's drawings, the location of where the zoo hopes to create a "walk through time," in the form of a dinosaur exhibit.
"There's enough room back there to accommodate the zoo's needs and the Spot Pond Committee's desire for a walkway," stated Mead, referring to the space between the dinosaur exhibit and the pond. With the pond as a backdrop, the zoo will take great pains to make the exhibit and surrounding area as natural as possible.
Spot Pond Committee Chairman Steven Sylvester stated that it would be important to tie the zoo and pond in together, anticipating that the area could someday be a huge draw for visitors.
"We think it's a nice match," agreed Mead.
Mead also advised that meetings with the MDC and MWRA were planned for later in the week to discuss the zoo's renovation plan which will infringe somewhat on property currently controlled by the MWRA. Presently the two agencies are working on a memorandum of understanding which, according to Mead, will transfer care, custody and control of the land around the pond from the MWRA to the MDC. The MWRA will maintain control of the water.
With an estimated one million people a year expected to visit the zoo once renovation is complete, Mead stated that part of what the zoo will offer its guests will be an education of Spot Pond's history and vitality.
"It's a wonderful resource. I think it can be wisely used," Mead stated.
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