Concord Journal, Guest Commentary, Jan. 15, 2015
Speak up about White Pond's future
by Robert and Christine Gerzon
On January 21 the Town of Concord held a White Pond Forum at the Harvey Wheeler Community Center. This meeting was open to Concord residents and anyone who has an interest in White Pond, its watershed and Town well, and the surrounding neighborhoods. The meeting addressed long-standing issues in the area, some of which go back for decades.
• "Conservation Land" or "Reservation Land" -- There's a big difference.
"Reservation Land" is reserved by the Town Selectmen for possible future development. "Conservation Land" is protected by the Division of Natural Resources from development and preserved in its natural state for future generations.
Of the Town-owned White Pond lands, 40 acres are Reservation and only 10 are Conservation. Currently White Pond Reservation is not protected against future development and it is not being actively managed and regulated. As a result it is becoming degraded through misuse.
The development of a comprehensive White Pond Management Plan that includes the permanent conversion of White Pond Reservation to Conservation Land is the key to solving the current problems and protecting White Pond for future generations. Conversion to Conservation Land was recommended by the White Pond Advisory Committee in its 2002 White Pond Reservation and Conservation Land Management Plan (p. 11-12), by the Town of Concord's Open Space and Recreation Plan of 2004 (p. 37, 68), and again in the Open Space and Recreation Plan of 2014, (p. 24). This Plan describes the White Pond area's "fragile aquatic ecosystem" as an "important watershed protection" for the Town well, an "important wildlife habitat" and a vital "wildlife corridor."
• To swim or not to swim?
The Town also needs to resolve the issue of whether public swimming is allowed from its land. Currently the Town land at the cove is posted as "No Swimming" but this is not enforced. This results in unregulated swimming, littering, alcohol use, fires and increased foot traffic on already-eroded trails.
We need to strike a realistic balance between recreation and conservation in this fragile ecosystem. The White Pond Advisory Committee's Management Plans consistently conclude that the best policy is to encourage the use of the scenic trails and enforce the posted No Swimming regulations.
• Neighborhood traffic and safety issues
Neighborhood residents are concerned about traffic, parking and safety issues caused by the increasing number of largely out-of-town visitors who come by car to swim during the summer. Parking restrictions have been used effectively in the past and could be extended to neighboring streets that request protection.
As residents of the White Pond area since the 1970's we appreciate living in a Town that values its natural landscapes. The White Pond Forum provides a historic opportunity to ensure that this beautiful pond will remain a treasured natural resource for future generations.
Speak up about White Pond's future
by Robert and Christine Gerzon
On January 21 the Town of Concord held a White Pond Forum at the Harvey Wheeler Community Center. This meeting was open to Concord residents and anyone who has an interest in White Pond, its watershed and Town well, and the surrounding neighborhoods. The meeting addressed long-standing issues in the area, some of which go back for decades.
• "Conservation Land" or "Reservation Land" -- There's a big difference.
"Reservation Land" is reserved by the Town Selectmen for possible future development. "Conservation Land" is protected by the Division of Natural Resources from development and preserved in its natural state for future generations.
Of the Town-owned White Pond lands, 40 acres are Reservation and only 10 are Conservation. Currently White Pond Reservation is not protected against future development and it is not being actively managed and regulated. As a result it is becoming degraded through misuse.
The development of a comprehensive White Pond Management Plan that includes the permanent conversion of White Pond Reservation to Conservation Land is the key to solving the current problems and protecting White Pond for future generations. Conversion to Conservation Land was recommended by the White Pond Advisory Committee in its 2002 White Pond Reservation and Conservation Land Management Plan (p. 11-12), by the Town of Concord's Open Space and Recreation Plan of 2004 (p. 37, 68), and again in the Open Space and Recreation Plan of 2014, (p. 24). This Plan describes the White Pond area's "fragile aquatic ecosystem" as an "important watershed protection" for the Town well, an "important wildlife habitat" and a vital "wildlife corridor."
• To swim or not to swim?
The Town also needs to resolve the issue of whether public swimming is allowed from its land. Currently the Town land at the cove is posted as "No Swimming" but this is not enforced. This results in unregulated swimming, littering, alcohol use, fires and increased foot traffic on already-eroded trails.
We need to strike a realistic balance between recreation and conservation in this fragile ecosystem. The White Pond Advisory Committee's Management Plans consistently conclude that the best policy is to encourage the use of the scenic trails and enforce the posted No Swimming regulations.
• Neighborhood traffic and safety issues
Neighborhood residents are concerned about traffic, parking and safety issues caused by the increasing number of largely out-of-town visitors who come by car to swim during the summer. Parking restrictions have been used effectively in the past and could be extended to neighboring streets that request protection.
As residents of the White Pond area since the 1970's we appreciate living in a Town that values its natural landscapes. The White Pond Forum provides a historic opportunity to ensure that this beautiful pond will remain a treasured natural resource for future generations.