We, the undersigned citizens of Concord, firmly believe White Pond is a precious jewel that must be protected. The White Pond Improvement plan being proposed by the town concerns many citizens due to the extensive changes and impact to White Pond’s beach property hillside topography, natural landscape and the fragile environmental ecosystem including in-pond-water quality that already has been seriously compromised.
We ask Concord’s Select Board to put an immediate moratorium on this project, except for the water run-off plan, until such time as: 1) all concerned citizens have a chance to truly participate in the process and a consensus is reached with citizens’ and WPAC’s input; 2) the water quality problems that have keep the pond closed for the past few seasons are effectively addressed, a sustainable water quality plan is in-place and it is anticipated there is viable chance of the pond’s recovery and opening for the next season; 3) town governance has been re-established with the hiring of a new Town Manager who will lead the way toward a collaborative management of White Pond with the WPAC, and; 4) the pragmatics of the Universal (zig zag) path design are reviewed with consideration to the people this path is supposed to serve. Note, this universal zig zag path was reviewed by Concord’s Commission on Disability and they raised concerns about use of the path by wheelchairs users given its length on the hillside.
This past week, trees have already been removed from the hillside without notification to the citizens in the White Pond neighborhood. After requesting the town mark the long Universal (zig zag) path that centrally cuts through the hillside, it was finally marked this week with erosion logs put in place, however this massive path looks overwhelming and dominates the hillside. We urge the Select Board to walk the hillside and view this path outline in person to see the visual and environmental impact and consider our stated request and concerns before more work is done. Imagine the erosions logs are 5 feet wide, or wider, with borders as you envision the plan’s design.
We question the functionality of this path, the effectiveness of the design, its cost and the impact it will have on the environment: The removal of so many mature trees will impact runoff erosion and water quality, two key issues we are trying to address. Since this proposal was issued by Weston & Sampson, this massive Universal (zig zag) path that transgresses 7-8 times across the landscape of the small steep hill, has continued as the central element of the White Pond Improvement Plan despite the fact that many believe it is tragically flawed and needs further review, revision and consideration of alternate solutions. White Pond will no longer look like woods but resemble a park, which was not the intent of the gift of the White Pond beach association’s land to the Town of Concord.
Please assure us and support the WPAC that has also requested a moratorium on further development, so we can work together as a town and community in the best interest of preserving our White Pond jewel that the Town of Concord has an obligation to protect. Henry David Thoreau called White Pond: “the most attractive if not the most beautiful of all our lakes, the gem of the woods.” Let’s work together to keep our White Pond gem and beautiful lake for ourselves to enjoy now and for the future of our community.
Updates
January 3, 2022
The removal of trees this past week serves as a stark reminder of why we must continue to advocate for a thoughtful approach to the landscape of White Pond. I have been spending my time reviewing the engineering reports to better understand the potential long term impact of the proposed hillside alterations. This process requires patience but I am committed to ensuring our collective concerns reach the proper channels.
January 3, 2022
Reaching this level of support indicates that many of you share a deep concern for the future of White Pond. It is clear that the community values thoughtful preservation over rapid development. This momentum encourages me to continue pressing for a more transparent and collaborative process with our town leadership.
Reached 100 supporters
January 3, 2022
24 Comments
So far everything Concord has done to improve problems with algae at White Pond has made the situation worse. There is more algae than before they started this process. Careful scientific evaluation needs to be made of any future interventions. Contractors who know nothing about land conservation should not be given free rein to further damage the pond as they have done with previous interventions. Their area of expertise lies in removing trees and land that gets in the way of their construction projects—not in preservation of natural resources.
Concord's great asset relative to most all the communities surrounding Boston, in addition to its historical preservation, is the more natural state of much of the land in town. The plan exudes too heavy of a hand on this little patch of hillside woodland and as the petitioner asks, merits additional collaborative review, exchange of ideas and land use requirements.
I question why this ramp was ever necessary. The beach is accessible by car. Using the infrastructure that currently exists, a wheelchair-bound person who can access the upper parking lot can also access the lower parking lot, which is directly adjacent to the beach. Who is this project for?
I never liked the plan for the hill. More erosion protection is in order, especially given the sensitivity of the Pond to nutrient loading.
My family has had a property on White Pond for over 75 years. Until a few years ago, we never experienced closures. This is too precious a resource to let it continue to deteriorate. This petition outlines intelligent reasonable actions.. we must stop the changes at the beach until water quality is addressed and it must be done with great urgency
I support this request for moratorium on White Pond Beach improvements under the 4 conditions outlined.
I recall visiting this area and it was a well preserved woodland area that felt like a small nature refuge in an otherwise well developed area. It was comforting to feel that some areas in Concord Mass remain untainted and the beauty of nature can be protected. The proposed changes would come at a cost and this naturally wooded hillside landscape and its surrounding ecosystem would pay the ultimate price. I am in support of White Pond conservation.
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We, the undersigned citizens of Concord, firmly believe White Pond is a precious jewel that must be protected. The White Pond Improvement plan being proposed by the town concerns many citizens due to the extensive changes and impact to White Pond’s beach property hillside topography, natural landscape and the fragile environmental ecosystem including in-pond-water quality that already has been seriously compromised.
We ask Concord’s Select Board to put an immediate moratorium on this project, except for the water run-off plan, until such time as: 1) all concerned citizens have a chance to truly participate in the process and a consensus is reached with citizens’ and WPAC’s input; 2) the water quality problems that have keep the pond closed for the past few seasons are effectively addressed, a sustainable water quality plan is in-place and it is anticipated there is viable chance of the pond’s recovery and opening for the next season; 3) town governance has been re-established with the hiring of a new Town Manager who will lead the way toward a collaborative management of White Pond with the WPAC, and; 4) the pragmatics of the Universal (zig zag) path design are reviewed with consideration to the people this path is supposed to serve. Note, this universal zig zag path was reviewed by Concord’s Commission on Disability and they raised concerns about use of the path by wheelchairs users given its length on the hillside.
This past week, trees have already been removed from the hillside without notification to the citizens in the White Pond neighborhood. After requesting the town mark the long Universal (zig zag) path that centrally cuts through the hillside, it was finally marked this week with erosion logs put in place, however this massive path looks overwhelming and dominates the hillside. We urge the Select Board to walk the hillside and view this path outline in person to see the visual and environmental impact and consider our stated request and concerns before more work is done. Imagine the erosions logs are 5 feet wide, or wider, with borders as you envision the plan’s design.
We question the functionality of this path, the effectiveness of the design, its cost and the impact it will have on the environment: The removal of so many mature trees will impact runoff erosion and water quality, two key issues we are trying to address. Since this proposal was issued by Weston & Sampson, this massive Universal (zig zag) path that transgresses 7-8 times across the landscape of the small steep hill, has continued as the central element of the White Pond Improvement Plan despite the fact that many believe it is tragically flawed and needs further review, revision and consideration of alternate solutions. White Pond will no longer look like woods but resemble a park, which was not the intent of the gift of the White Pond beach association’s land to the Town of Concord.
Please assure us and support the WPAC that has also requested a moratorium on further development, so we can work together as a town and community in the best interest of preserving our White Pond jewel that the Town of Concord has an obligation to protect. Henry David Thoreau called White Pond: “the most attractive if not the most beautiful of all our lakes, the gem of the woods.” Let’s work together to keep our White Pond gem and beautiful lake for ourselves to enjoy now and for the future of our community.
Updates
January 3, 2022
The removal of trees this past week serves as a stark reminder of why we must continue to advocate for a thoughtful approach to the landscape of White Pond. I have been spending my time reviewing the engineering reports to better understand the potential long term impact of the proposed hillside alterations. This process requires patience but I am committed to ensuring our collective concerns reach the proper channels.
January 3, 2022
Reaching this level of support indicates that many of you share a deep concern for the future of White Pond. It is clear that the community values thoughtful preservation over rapid development. This momentum encourages me to continue pressing for a more transparent and collaborative process with our town leadership.
Reached 100 supporters
January 3, 2022
24 Comments
One of the delights of this area is the view of the pond from the upper parking lot with a west breeze coming up under the tall pines and the ground carpeted with pine needles. As I understand it, this stand of pines is a rare grove of a 'climax' forest ecology for the eastern US. Cutting some of the trees would let too much sun in and destroy the peacefulness of this location. I go to White Pond to relax and escape the heat. The shade and breezes at this location provide that. The proposed development is too extensive and tacky.
So far everything Concord has done to improve problems with algae at White Pond has made the situation worse. There is more algae than before they started this process. Careful scientific evaluation needs to be made of any future interventions. Contractors who know nothing about land conservation should not be given free rein to further damage the pond as they have done with previous interventions. Their area of expertise lies in removing trees and land that gets in the way of their construction projects—not in preservation of natural resources.
Concord's great asset relative to most all the communities surrounding Boston, in addition to its historical preservation, is the more natural state of much of the land in town. The plan exudes too heavy of a hand on this little patch of hillside woodland and as the petitioner asks, merits additional collaborative review, exchange of ideas and land use requirements.
I question why this ramp was ever necessary. The beach is accessible by car. Using the infrastructure that currently exists, a wheelchair-bound person who can access the upper parking lot can also access the lower parking lot, which is directly adjacent to the beach. Who is this project for?
I never liked the plan for the hill. More erosion protection is in order, especially given the sensitivity of the Pond to nutrient loading.
My family has had a property on White Pond for over 75 years. Until a few years ago, we never experienced closures. This is too precious a resource to let it continue to deteriorate. This petition outlines intelligent reasonable actions.. we must stop the changes at the beach until water quality is addressed and it must be done with great urgency
I support this request for moratorium on White Pond Beach improvements under the 4 conditions outlined.
I recall visiting this area and it was a well preserved woodland area that felt like a small nature refuge in an otherwise well developed area. It was comforting to feel that some areas in Concord Mass remain untainted and the beauty of nature can be protected. The proposed changes would come at a cost and this naturally wooded hillside landscape and its surrounding ecosystem would pay the ultimate price. I am in support of White Pond conservation.
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One of the delights of this area is the view of the pond from the upper parking lot with a west breeze coming up under the tall pines and the ground carpeted with pine needles. As I understand it, this stand of pines is a rare grove of a 'climax' forest ecology for the eastern US. Cutting some of the trees would let too much sun in and destroy the peacefulness of this location. I go to White Pond to relax and escape the heat. The shade and breezes at this location provide that. The proposed development is too extensive and tacky.