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Vol. 4, No. 3
March 31, 2003
Contents |
Dolan Pond News |
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Contents | Dolan Pond News | Home
Welcome to the Dolan Pond News, an email publication of Friends of Dolan Pond, a local organization that promotes the protection and preservation of the Dolan Pond Conservation Area in West Newton, MA. Please visit our website at www.dolanpond.org. Welcome to any of our new readers.
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A meeting of the Friends of Dolan Pond organization will take place on Monday evening, April 7, at 7:30 pm. The meeting will be graciously hosted at the home of Linda and David Shapiro who live at 79 Webster Park, West Newton. Webster Park is a loop street off of Webster Street in West Newton. Parking is available on street. It would be helpful to know roughly how many are planning to attend. If you know that you are planning to attend, let us know by replying to this email.
We will have an update on the renovation work done at Dolan Pond and plans for the grand re-opening. In addition, we will discuss the possible acquisition by the Newton Conservators of the property of Irene Forte' at 76 Webster Park. Under this project, much of the property would be preserved as open space according to Irene's wishes. The acquisition would likely be funded under the Community Preservation Act (CPA) by which a portion of property taxes in Newton go to a special fund which is matched by the state. The fund can be used for open space, historical preservation, and affordable housing. At the meeting, we also hope to establish a governing committee for the organization. A date for a cleanup prior to the grand opening will also be discussed.
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A Grand Re-Opening of Dolan Pond Conservation Area will take place on the morning of Saturday, May 3 at 9:30 am at the Webster Park entrance. This will be one of the main events of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) week. It is hoped that by having the event on a weekend, local residents will have an opportunity to attend this opening event. A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place for the new pathway and boardwalk as well as an unveiling of new information kiosks. Refreshments will be served and guided tours will be provided. Congressman Barney Frank and Mayor David Cohen are expected to attend. There are so many groups and individuals that have played a role in the revitalization of Dolan Pond over the years and invitations will be sent out in the near future. So mark your calendars for May 3. It's a great time of year at Dolan Pond with the green appearing on the trees, some early flowers showing blooming, and bird song filling the air (and few bugs). Volunteers to help with the morning would be welcome. Watch for further details!
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Work on Dolan Pond Conservation Area improvement project was resumed this past Monday (3/24/03) by the contractor, Liberty Siteworks (Everett, MA). A lot of progress has been made over the past week.
The side cleats on the boardwalk were completed. They are in two layers which allows for drainage off the side. These side cleats add a much better visual sense of one's position on the boardwalk. Without the cleats, there seemed to be concern that one could easily step off the boardwalk accidentally. With all the recent snow melt and rain, the ponds are quite full at the present time as are the adjacent wetlands. The value of the boardwalk in traversing over the swampy sections is being proven. The old paths would likely be impassable under current conditions.
The brown sign at the top of the path at Auburndale Avenue has been removed and the path foundation from Auburndale Avenue down to Stratford Road has been put in place. It is curved nicely in line with landscape designer Margo Young's plan for this section and already is making the Auburndale Avenue entrance to the area much more inviting and attractive.
This path will await the arrival of the natural looking stabilized soil that that will be used for the top surface. Sitting rocks for a meeting area have been placed near the base of Stratford Road. The steps from Stratford Road are to be reconfigured with intermediate steps (as are the steps at Cumberland Road North). This area will be a great meeting spot for school groups doing environmental studies at Dolan Pond.
There has been a lot of work at the Webster Park entrance. Coming down the hill from Webster Park, the entrance to the Dolan Pond Conservation Area should be much more obvious. Work has been done on the handicapped parking area. Portions of the new information kiosk have been erected. The path has been edged and will be filled with stabilized soil. The ugly silver metal gate along the Webster Path has finally been removed. This was originally put up in the 1980's in response to the dumping of a load of construction debris in the middle of the conservation area. It has sagged over the years and the lock has been missing for ages. The new entrance will be inviting and especially convenient for handicapped visitors.
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Spring is here and the next two months will bring dramatic changes at Dolan Pond as the browns of winter give way to the myriad greens of spring and summer. This is the season of change and the frequent visitor to Dolan Pond will be well rewarded.
A flock of about 50 Common Grackles filled a berry tree near Dolan Pond. Red-winged blackbirds have arrived and their harsh "conk-a ree" can be heard across the ponds. A pair of Canada Geese and a number of Mallards were visiting over the weekend.
On a visit last Thursday (3/27/03), to my great surprise, a pair of Wood Ducks were spotted in Banana Pond and again on Sunday (3/30/03) in Quinn Pond. This is most encouraging and the hope is that they will choose to nest here again this year. The male is one of our most colorful and striking ducks. The female is primarily brownish but with a distinctive white comet shaped eye ring. Wood Ducks tend to move their necks forward and backward while swimming, a characteristic noticeable even at a distance. They make a more rising whistling sound than the more familiar quacking of the Mallard. Wood Ducks are quite a bit shyer than Mallards and may take flight suddenly if surprised by your presence. At a distance, they may tend to swim out of sight. Surprisingly, they nest in trees. With the lack of suitable tree holes, they will use special nesting boxes such as those found at Dolan Pond. Keep an eye out for these special ducks. If you wish to observe them, approach any of the ponds slowly and be alert for movement in the water. Watch for ripples and listen for their distinctive sound.
At the New England Flower Show recently there was a whole booth devoted to knotweed, an invasive plant we are quite familiar with at Dolan Pond. The exhibit was put on by the Biology Department at UMass Boston (http://www.bio.umb.edu). They list the following internet resources: The Knotweed Page (http://fisher.bio.umb.edu/knotweed), The Japanese Knotweed Control Forum of Cornwall (http://www.ex.ac.uk/knotweed, and perhaps the most delicious reference of all - Japanese Knotweed Recipes: (http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com). We hope to reprint some of the recipes in future issues. The tender but incredibly fast growing knotweed shoots will unfortunately be appearing soon.
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The Community Development Block Grant Committee for West Newton will meet on Tuesday, April 15, at the Newton Community Service Center at 492 Waltham Street in the Adult Day Care Room. The meeting will begin promptly at 7:00 pm. CDBG funding is being used for the current Dolan Pond improvement project. Dee Spiro will give an update on the Dolan Pond project and other CDBG funded projects. For questions, please contact Dee Spiro, CD Senior Planner, at 617-796-1125 or by email at dspiro@ci.newton.ma.us.
With the federal census done in 2000, the boundaries of the eligible "blocks" in Newton will likely be changing. In the past, there were three neighborhoods in Newton that were eligible for block grants, Newton Corner, Nonantum, and West Newton. Blocks are defined by the percentage of households within those blocks whose income is below 80% of the median family income for the Boston area. Funds were allocated within these three areas on a rotating basis. The years 2002 and 2005 were West Newton's designated years within the current 5 year plan. Some projects, such as Dolan Pond, were scheduled for the 2002 period. Others, such as improvements on Cherry Street and improvements to the Webster Common field, were planned for the 2005 cycle. Due to the changing population in our current West Newton block, our block may be in danger of losing eligibility. If the planned projects are not in the new "block" or substantially serve a population that resides in that block, then, if not already under contract, they likely will not be done. It is fortunate that the Dolan Pond project was brought fully under the 2002 allocation rather than being split across 2002 and 2005 as originally proposed.
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Irene Forte', who lived on Webster Park, passed away recently at the grand age of 104 years. She was beloved by many in the neighborhood and a familiar site in the summer walking around the Webster Park loop with her walker for exercise. A memorial service for her was held on Saturday, February 15th at the Newton Cemetery. It was a bitterly cold but sunny day as mourners gathered under an awning at graveside. Remembrances of Irene were given and somewhat incongruously a lone Mallard duck was walking around the ceremony in and out of mourner's feet - a sign to some of Irene's love of the natural world. A reception for family and friends was held following the ceremony at the All Newton Music School, where Irene had taught from 1916 until 1965 and had also been music director. One of her former students played violin selections at the reception. Miss Irene was an inspiration to us all.
Linda Shapiro had left the following remembrance of Irene: "We have known Irene since 1969 when we moved to Webster Park. We loved her stories of what it was like in the neighborhood when she was young. She told us about our house when chickens were kept in the backyard. We shared holiday treats with her and she with us. The eggnog was yummy; the fruitcake another story all together! We watched out for her and she kept a close eye on our house when we went away. Every morning for thirty years, I sat up in bed and looked across the street to see if Irene's shades were up, a sure sign she was well. She had a long life, and her passing was not unexpected, but we will miss her."
Irene had expressed concerns about what would happen to her property when she passed away. It was her desire that, if possible, her property be sold to the City of Newton rather than be fully developed. In the past, we had discussions with Irene about how that might be possible under the provisions of the Community Preservation Act (CPA) which was passed in Newton. Discussion has been ongoing between the Newton Conservators and her family in this regard having in mind putting in a CPA proposal which would make some of her property into open space and preserving her house. The city's Conservation Commission has expressed support of this initiative and in fact formed a subcommittee to work on it. Affordable housing interests (including the Newton Housing Authority and CAN-DO) have expressed potential interest in participating in the portion of the project that would preserve the house. Neighborhood support of this initiative is also very important. Please attend the next meeting of Friends of Dolan Pond to learn more.
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The recent Spring Newton Conservators Lecture (3/19/03) by Jon Regosin, vernal pool expert, was very informative. Vernal pools, small ponds lacking fish, provide critical breeding habitat for Newton's remaining amphibian populations. On rainy nights during March and April, many amphibians in our area stage dramatic migrations to their breeding sites. Jon showed maps highlighting the locations of vernal pools in Newton. You may be surprised to learn that the ponds of Dolan Pond Conservation Area can be considered vernal pools. Jon noted the confirmed presence of the American Toad, Bufo americanus at Dolan Pond. This creature is responsible for the trilling chorus heard in Springtime at Dolan Pond. In late spring, paths are sometimes covered with the tiny immature toads as they out from the ponds. A terrific source of information and publications on vernal pools and can be found at the website of the Vernal Pool Association (http://www.vernalpool.org). Jon noted that there are no certified vernal pools in Newton yet. The certification process would be a great project for school, scouting, or environmental groups. Information on the certification process can be obtained from the Vernal Pool Association. The Newton Free Library was recently given a copy of their publication, "Wicked Big Puddles", a manual for certification in Massachusetts.
If you are interested in open space in Newton, consider joining the Newton Conservators. They are a local organization that promotes the protection and preservation of natural areas, including parks, park lands, playgrounds, forests and streams, which are open or may be converted to open spaces for the enjoyment and benefit of the people of the City of Newton, Massachusetts for scientific study, education, and recreation. It further aims to disseminate information about these and other environmental matters. A primary goal is to foster the acquisition of land and other facilities to be used for the encouragement of scientific, recreational, educational, literary, and the other public pursuits that will promote good citizenship and the general welfare in the City of Newton. You can visit their website at http://www.newtonconservators.org for more information.
If you would like to join the Newton Conservators, please send your name, address, phone and email address (if you wish email alerts) to The Newton Conservators, Inc., P.O. Box 590011, Newton Centre, MA 02459. Membership Options are the following: Individual $25, Family Member $35, Sustaining Member $50, Donor $75, Patron $100. Membership is tax deductible. Your membership includes the Newton Conservators Newsletter and emails and invitations to participate in guided tours of local conservation areas, lectures, and other programs and activities. You will also receive a copy of the newly released trail guide to parks and conservation areas in Newton.
If you would like to receive Newton Nature Notes, a free email newsletter about nature related events, walks, publications, bird sightings, etc., in or near Newton, please send an email to dolanpond@aol.com with your request to be added to the list.
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Medhat's Pizza and Ben's Coffeehouse in West Newton sadly recently closed their doors. In other news, there are reports that a new ice cream parlor may open up close to the West Newton Cinema!
Newton Community Service Centers and ChartBank are proud to sponsor the first annual ChartBank 10K Road Race on Sunday, June 1, 2003, at 10 a.m., starting and finishing at Newton Community Service Centers, 492 Waltham Street, West Newton. The race features a certified 10K course (US Track and Field), a 3 Mile Non-Competitive Pledge Walk with Mayor David Cohen, and a 1K Kids Fun Run. This fun community event includes cash prizes, medals for all participating children, food, children's activities, music, and more! All proceeds will benefit the programs of Newton Community Service Centers. For more information or to obtain a race and pledge form, call Newton Community Service Centers at 617-969-5906, x.119, or visit their website online at http://www.NCSCweb.org. Race forms are also available at ChartBank branches. The course of the race will pass close to Dolan Pond.
The Newton Community Service Center is just down at the end of Webster Street just a few short blocks from Dolan Pond. They have many, many programs serving all age groups from infants to senior citizens.
They currently have openings in their Adult Day Heath Care program (for all aged adults) which features physical therapy, a registered nurse onsite, snacks and hot lunch, interesting activities and intergenerational experiences. Private pay rates are $45/day and Medicaid payments are accepted. If interested please contact Mary Whalen, Program Director at 617-969-5906, ext 118.
If you haven't seen it yet, don't miss the final weeks of the Charles Johnson Maynard exhibit at the Jackson Homestead. To learn more about West Newton's own Charles Johnson Maynard, the study of ornithology and the naturalist movement in the 19th and 20th centuries, visit the Jackson Homestead (527 Washington Street) and view the exhibit Walks and Talks with Nature, Newton's Naturalist. Maynard began his career as a "shotgun" ornithologist, but by the turn of the century had become a teacher and environmentalist. His "Walks and Talks" book series provides a fascinating glimpse of birding in Newton in the early 1900's. He was known to take his students out on walks from his Crafts Street home and there are even accounts of visits to Dolan Pond. Visit the Jackson Homestead website at http://www.ci.newton.ma.us/jackson/ or call 617-796-1450. The exhibit continues through April 19, 2003.
There are a number of bridge improvements nearby to report aside from the famous Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge. For those of you who visit the nearby Flowed Meadow conservation area, portions of the old Dolan Pond bog bridges may be used to construct two new bridges at Flowed Meadow. This will be part of the Eagle project of Matthew Gray, a Boy Scout in Troop 355 at St. Bernard's in West Newton. Those familiar with Flowed Meadow may remember crossing the stream on rickety boards or old doors. Construction is scheduled for a weekend in mid May. This will be quite an improvement and good recycling to boot! And on another front, work has finally begun on the long awaited missing link in the Charles River Path between Bridge Street and Cheesecake Brook (Albemarle Road). This project includes a stunning new foot bridge across to the Watertown side near Cheesecake Brook.
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Friends of Dolan Pond is a local organization that promotes the protection and preservation of the Dolan Pond Conservation Area in West Newton, MA. We have a website, http://www.dolanpond.org and an email address, "dolapond@aol.com". If you are interested in the organization, please contact Ted Kuklinski at 617-969-6222, write to Friends of Dolan Pond, 24 Henshaw Terrace, West Newton, MA 02465, or send email to dolanpond@aol.com. If you wish to be removed from this list, simply reply to this email with the word "remove" in the subject or body of the reply.
This newsletter is primarily published and distributed by email. If you wish to receive the newsletter or request to discontinue receiving the newsletter by email, please contact us as above. If you change your email address, please let us know. Dolan Pond News is also often posted in paper form on clipboards at the major entrances to the area. If you have any information, announcements, material, photos, poems, writings, etc. concerning Dolan Pond that you would like to share, please send them along. Please forward the email version along to anyone you know who might be interested in receiving it or ask them to send us an email to join our subscription list. Hope to see you at Dolan Pond soon!
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Hope to see you at Dolan Pond soon!