Hammond Pond "Access Enhancements"
Chestnut Hill Association requests
that work on Hammond Pond
proceed more slowly
The Hammond Pond and the adjacent conservation area is an
extremely valuable and unique natural resource to the City of
Newton and particularly to the Village of Chestnut Hill. Our
neighborhood sits in the midst of housing, shopping malls and
major commuter routes. As such, Hammond Pond is a lovely
spot for walking trails, hiking, rock climbing and reflection. It
is a peaceful oasis easily accessible to our neighborhood and is
treasured by the residents of Chestnut Hill.
We were made aware of the Rudyak’s family’s generous
contribution to the City of Newton and their desire to
memorialize their son at such a lovely location several
months ago through the local press. We sympathize with their loss and are confident that we can come together to
find a mutually beneficial solution for all of our goals.
The foremost concern of the Chestnut Hill Association
(CHA) is that the process of implementing a floating walkway slow down until a plan for improving the health of the pond
is created. More specifically, we hope that the following issues
are studied in depth and potential solutions developed:
• Enhancing the ecological function of the pond and
shoreline
• Remediating the water quality
• Identifying options for stormwater management
• Reducing sediment accumulation
• Reversing eutrophication
• Developing fore bays with berms
• Removing selectively water lilies
• Increasing water depth by dredging
• Enhancing ground water and surface water influxes
Moving ahead with a floating walkway and interior trails
before having a plan to deal with the health of the pond is
premature. We are disappointed that the focus and energy
has been on the design and construction of the Floating
Walkway instead of on the health of this special and unique
natural resource in our City. We are concerned that installing
a walkway may even limit the potential solutions to the
pond’s health. The CHA believes that the Rudyak donation
(and those monies contributed by the DCR Partnership
Matching Fund and the $150,000 in reserve from WS
Development, Inc.) be used in part or in full to restore
and to ensure the health of the pond, its water quality,
ecosystems and the maintenance of such. We understand
the jurisdictional complications with Hammond Pond
and implore the City of Newton, the MA Conservation
Commission, the DCR and WS Development, Inc., to
make this natural resource one of its top priorities.
Snow removal and storage, storm drainage, runoff from
Rt. 9 and parking lots, and pedestrian debris all threaten
the health of this unique kettle pond. We understand it is
not a simple task to coordinate all of the entities that have
a vested interest, abut or have title to land surrounding
Hammond Pond. We know these issues are complicated
and require more time to address in a comprehensive and
coordinated plan and implemented in a cohesive fashion
with all concerned parties. It is our understanding that there was a feasibility study
commissioned by the Rudyak Family by their consultant
Kathy Bradford. In Ms. Bradford’s own words, “the ecosystem
of Hammond Pond is in slow decline, and the water quality
needs improvement,” Bradford said. “Any design here needs to have sustainability in mind and encourage repairs to the
ecosystem.” Consequently, it seems premature to make any
decisions as to a memorial structure, floating walkway and
interior trails of any kind until this study is fully understood.
In summary, the CHA respectfully requests that the process
slow down until a rigorous environmental review of and
potential solutions to Hammond Pond’s water quality and
ecosystems is complete to the satisfaction of all interested
and vested parties. The Floating Walkway and interior trails
proposed in two phases appears quite large in scope. The
Chestnut Hill Association hopes that no final decision be
made about the floating walkway until the design
specifications are confirmed; its impact on the environment
and water quality are understood; and a future maintenance
plan is addressed.
Chestnut Hill Association
Fall 2011
DCR Considers "Access Enhancements"
to Hammond Pond
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