The Select Board just confirmed they are placing an immediate moratorium on the White Pond project. Thank you for signing and holding the town accountable to the preservation of this land. Stay vigilant and keep checking back as we monitor the next steps for the pond.
February 7, 2022
Final supporters
We, the undersigned citizens of Concord, believe that White Pond is a precious resource that must be respected and protected. The current “White Pond Park” development plan being proposed by the town concerns many citizens due to the extensive changes and potential impact to our town’s beach property and adjacent hillside.
We are asking the town Select Board to put an immediate moratorium on this project until such time as all concerned citizens have a chance to participate in the process and a consensus is reached.
The town’s current plan would increase the use of the pond and its facilities. This would put more strain on the ponds compromised water quality. The planned tree cutting on the hillside and reforesting with small trees would open up a view of the upper parking lot from the beach and pond; the privacy of the beach area would be gone. This plan is not in line with the spirit of conservation and preservation.
Henry David Thoreau called White Pond: “the most attractive if not the most beautiful of all our lakes, the gem of the woods.” We the undersigned, believe that the natural beauty of White Pond must be respected and protected.
you can see a graphic of some of the proposed developments here: The tree cutting in the current plan would include many of the larger trees at the bottom of the hill down by the beach.
https://concordma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/26703/Im...
Please share this petition with your Concord Friends!
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
December 3, 2021
April 22, 2021
I have been reviewing the town development plans and the impact on the hillside vegetation is even worse than we initially feared. Please email your Select Board members today to demand that they halt all tree clearing operations. Your direct messages to them are currently the only thing forcing them to acknowledge our concerns.
November 19, 2020
We hit one hundred signatures today. Now send the link to three neighbors who live near the pond and ask them to sign before the next town meeting.
Reached 100 supporters
November 18, 2020
63 Comments
Just because you can, does not mean you should. This seems like an over engineered solution. Aside from ADA access, restrooms and appropriate actions to address runoff issues, which could, as Mr Hanson commented, include addressing how the land above is farmed, the less that is done, the better.
My family was a member of White Pond for ten years while our sons were young. The quality of the water for swimming is a concern of mine. I remember visits 20+ years ago when the water was unhealthy to swim in. Thank you, Laura McKenna
Please please preserve White Pond as it is. Our family has been residents since 1955. It is a very special place that should not be further developed, but rather preserved for existing owners and members to enjoy.
The zigzag trail defies practicality, common sense and a critical goal: "to preserve White Pond and its shores as a place of historic interest and natural beauty" This hill will be totally transformed with 1/2 to more trees cut down. What is the purpose for all this over development on this small hill.
The evergreen and deciduous trees SUPPORT the steep, sandy banks. I recommend putting railings on both sides of the existing “new” steps to make them safe. Regarding the handicap walkway that no handicap person would ever take, there are 6 existing spots for handicap parking down below that are NEVER filled to capacity.
The shade from the tall shade trees give a fine prospect of the pond on a summer day and provide shade for a pleasant walk down to the pond or back up from the pond after swimming. Furthermore, these trees are mostly oaks which are excellent for wildlife. The large pavilions are not needed. The picnic tables atop the bluff would not be used.
The proposed project will have dramatic impacts to the pond, the water quality, the site, neighbors and townspeople for at least many decades to come. It is imperative that choices are made carefully, openly and with the residents' consensus.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
The Select Board just confirmed they are placing an immediate moratorium on the White Pond project. Thank you for signing and holding the town accountable to the preservation of this land. Stay vigilant and keep checking back as we monitor the next steps for the pond.
February 7, 2022
Final supporters
We, the undersigned citizens of Concord, believe that White Pond is a precious resource that must be respected and protected. The current “White Pond Park” development plan being proposed by the town concerns many citizens due to the extensive changes and potential impact to our town’s beach property and adjacent hillside.
We are asking the town Select Board to put an immediate moratorium on this project until such time as all concerned citizens have a chance to participate in the process and a consensus is reached.
The town’s current plan would increase the use of the pond and its facilities. This would put more strain on the ponds compromised water quality. The planned tree cutting on the hillside and reforesting with small trees would open up a view of the upper parking lot from the beach and pond; the privacy of the beach area would be gone. This plan is not in line with the spirit of conservation and preservation.
Henry David Thoreau called White Pond: “the most attractive if not the most beautiful of all our lakes, the gem of the woods.” We the undersigned, believe that the natural beauty of White Pond must be respected and protected.
you can see a graphic of some of the proposed developments here: The tree cutting in the current plan would include many of the larger trees at the bottom of the hill down by the beach.
https://concordma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/26703/Im...
Please share this petition with your Concord Friends!
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
December 3, 2021
April 22, 2021
I have been reviewing the town development plans and the impact on the hillside vegetation is even worse than we initially feared. Please email your Select Board members today to demand that they halt all tree clearing operations. Your direct messages to them are currently the only thing forcing them to acknowledge our concerns.
November 19, 2020
We hit one hundred signatures today. Now send the link to three neighbors who live near the pond and ask them to sign before the next town meeting.
Reached 100 supporters
November 18, 2020
63 Comments
Please take to time to do it right. The current plans indicate the Removal and Disposal of an existing catch basin and infiltration chamber system. It seems that no one took the time to find the design for this system so it could continue to provide its benefit in preventing nutrient laden runoff from directly entering the Pond.
Just because you can, does not mean you should. This seems like an over engineered solution. Aside from ADA access, restrooms and appropriate actions to address runoff issues, which could, as Mr Hanson commented, include addressing how the land above is farmed, the less that is done, the better.
My family was a member of White Pond for ten years while our sons were young. The quality of the water for swimming is a concern of mine. I remember visits 20+ years ago when the water was unhealthy to swim in. Thank you, Laura McKenna
Please please preserve White Pond as it is. Our family has been residents since 1955. It is a very special place that should not be further developed, but rather preserved for existing owners and members to enjoy.
The zigzag trail defies practicality, common sense and a critical goal: "to preserve White Pond and its shores as a place of historic interest and natural beauty" This hill will be totally transformed with 1/2 to more trees cut down. What is the purpose for all this over development on this small hill.
The evergreen and deciduous trees SUPPORT the steep, sandy banks. I recommend putting railings on both sides of the existing “new” steps to make them safe. Regarding the handicap walkway that no handicap person would ever take, there are 6 existing spots for handicap parking down below that are NEVER filled to capacity.
The shade from the tall shade trees give a fine prospect of the pond on a summer day and provide shade for a pleasant walk down to the pond or back up from the pond after swimming. Furthermore, these trees are mostly oaks which are excellent for wildlife. The large pavilions are not needed. The picnic tables atop the bluff would not be used.
The proposed project will have dramatic impacts to the pond, the water quality, the site, neighbors and townspeople for at least many decades to come. It is imperative that choices are made carefully, openly and with the residents' consensus.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
Please take to time to do it right. The current plans indicate the Removal and Disposal of an existing catch basin and infiltration chamber system. It seems that no one took the time to find the design for this system so it could continue to provide its benefit in preventing nutrient laden runoff from directly entering the Pond.