Spot Pond Committee gears up for accessibility
Published on April 28th, 1999
STONEHAM, MA - The tempo was upbeat at the Spot Pond Committee meeting on Monday night as recent activities at the pond were reviewed and ideas to incorporate the pond in the town's millennium celebration were heard.
MDC Director of Reservations and Historical Sites Al Pratt reported that about 80 MDC workers pruned, trimmed and removed truckloads of debris from a one and a half mile stretch of the pond edge. With this work now complete, he stated that a smaller crew would stay on to fine-tune and maintain the area as it is readied for public access this summer.
"Things are moving," Pratt said with regard to work on the MDC's master plan for Spot Pond.
The committee also reported on the success of a volunteer clean-up effort at the pond on April 24.
"We didn't get nearly as many people as we hoped but it was wonderful," said committee member Rosemary Geary.
Committee Chairman Stephen Sylvester called the clean-up effort a good start and reported that more will be scheduled in the future.
"It just shows continued enthusiasm for the pond," member Marc Grimaldi said of the successful event.
The MDC and MWRA have recently signed a memorandum of understanding which transfers care and control of the pond and surrounding land from the MWRA to the MDC. The MDC, with assistance from the Spot Pond Committee, has begun its work in developing a plan that would allow public access to the area while preserving the natural resource.
Two subcommittees of the Spot Pond Committee have recently been established. The access subcommittee has been charged with developing a list of activities to be considered for the recreational area by the MDC.
As a result of their first meeting, access subcommittee members presented a draft of their suggestions which included paved trails for universal access, more aggressive trails for hiking, signs for denoting plant types, boating, picnic areas, a designated area for community celebrations, and even linkage of some trails to existing bike paths in the area.
In addition, the charter subcommittee was formed on the suggestion of MDC Commissioner David Balfour and will investigate the feasibility of establishing a Friends of Spot Pond organization.
The surrounding towns of Melrose, Malden, Medford and Winchester have designated liaisons to the Spot Pond Committee.
"We're trying to keep up as best we can with the state. The state is proceeding quickly," Grimaldi relayed to representatives from Medford and Winchester who were present at Monday's meeting.
According to Pratt, the MDC continues to work with the MWRA, the Stone Zoo and Stoneham's Conservation Com-mission on some issues, but that the effective date of transfer of the land was still July 1.
The first in a series of public hearings sponsored by the MDC was to be held on May 5 at the MDC Botume House, but was cancelled on Wednesday morning. No future date has been set.
The meeting was expected to focus on updating the public on progress on the plan to develop Spot Pond as a recreational area as well as solicit input and concern from the public.
"This is the first opportunity for people to come and air their opinion with Mr. Balfour present," said Sylvester.
Stoneham Millennium Committee Chairman Paul McDonald updated the committee on the variety of events currently being planned for the town's millennium celebrations and suggested that the two committees work together.
"There is funding available through the National Office of the Millennium Celebration for development of millennium trails around the country. This is one way we could assist you," he said.
The Millennium Trails program is a national initiative that seeks to develop and preserve trails throughout the country in celebration of the millennium. The purpose of developing such trails is to reflect national history, cultural traditions, and a connection between people and places. Funding for the program is expected from federal and state programs as well as private partnerships and is coordinated by the White House Millennium Council.
One event that residents don't have to await the turn of the century for is Middlesex Fells Day, scheduled for May 15 at the Sheepfold. The event will feature a variety of activities for people of all ages including a horse-drawn hayride, sheep shearing, a rock climbing wall and face painting. The event, which will run from noon to four o'clock, drew approximately 500 people last year.
The Spot Pond Committee's next meeting will be held on May 13 at the Botume House.
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