“This beautiful sheet of water, like a sapphire gem set round with emeralds…” Samuel Francis Smith, History of Newton, Massachusetts, 1880
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BPA Funds New Bluestone Path & Bronze Polishing at Medallion Overlook + Classic Sign
The Bullough's Pond Association works diligently to enhance the beauty and utility of the natural and built environment of Bullough's Pond. When it became clear that the stone dust path to The Medallion Overlook installed by the City was creating a mess on the seating platform and scratching the medallion, the BPA got permission and paid to install a new bluestone path. The BPA also had the medallion polished to remove scratches from the stone dust. These improvements follow the BPA's
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installation of the Bullough's Pond sign at the corner of Walnut and Commonwealth, and securing a policy change at City Hall to eliminate advertising signs and banners around the pond. The BPA continues to advance such improvements at the pond.
Installation of the new bluestone path underway (left) and completed (right).
The newly polished medallion (left) and the new, and only, sign on the fence at the corner of Walnut and Commonwealth (right).
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Have You Had a Chance to Renew Your Membership Yet?
You may have received an annual appeal letter (like the one pictured at right) from the BPA recently. If you haven't had time to join or renew your membership yet, please take a minute to do so as soon as you can, so the BPA can continue to care for and advocate for the pond, the historic dam, and the adjacent forest. You can make your tax-deductible contribution online here, or send a check made out to the Bullough's Pond Association to:
Bullough's Pond Association P.O. Box 600669 Newtonville, MA 02460 |
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Bullough's Pond Association Rallies Membership & Citywide Support Successfully to Convince City to Choose an Alternative Consultant & Approach to Protect Historic Bullough's Pond Dam & the Laundry Brook Forest
The BPA's leadership met with Mayor Fuller on July 6 and learned that the Administration had heard, loud and clear, from the BPA board, membership, and residents from across Newton, that GZA's plan to cut down the Laundry Brook Forest and replace it with concrete and riprap was unacceptable. She assured us that we would be happy with the consultant chosen from the revised selection process that was the result of our efforts. On July 13, the BPA leadership, along with City Councilors Tarik Lucas, Emily Norton and Julia Malakie, and a representative from the Newtonville Area Council met in person with City staff from the Department of Public Works, and learned that the Administration had decided not to give the dam rehabilitation contract to GZA, but to a competing consultant, GEI, instead. The BPA leadership requested a written schedule of meetings with GEI and DPW City staff at which a BPA board representative could participate to ensure the historic dam and forest would be protected as planning advanced. Thanks to the efforts of City Councilors Norton, Malakie, Lucas, Gentile and others, that written schedule of meetings, and BPA board participation in them, were secured. For more detail on the Bullough's Pond Dam project and history, check back soon to visit the dedicated page under construction.
A view of the Bullough's Pond Dam and the Laundry Brook Forest below it.
NewtonServes Makes Successful Return to Bullough's Pond
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On May 2, NewtonServes Day returned, after a 2020 pandemic postponement. With a nice turnout of volunteers, including City Councilors Marc Laredo and Tarik Lucas, the Bullough's Pond Association board and members in attendence managed to clear a lot of trash and debris from the banks and from the water. Thanks to all who worked so hard to keep the pond looking beautiful for all to enjoy.
BPA President Laura Studen (L), Board Member Kevin Sloan (R) with volunteers.
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BPA Board Member Dick Lockwood (2nd L) with volunteers.
Councilor Lucas, BPA Vice President Kathleen Grieser, Councilor Laredo
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Invasive Removals Phase I Completed, Phase II in 2022...
The BPA wrapped up the multi-year Phase I project of removal of invasive Oriental Bittersweet this year. The diffference in the health of the trees and native plants along the pond's banks is remarkable, and views are much nicer. Another welcome result is that the improved condition of native plant food sources has led to increasing numbers of visits by birds and waterfowl in 2021. Nevertheless, new shoots of invasives continue to pop up, so the BPA is initiating a Phase II maintenance program, beginning in 2022, to protect the improved environment of the pond's banks by removing any invasives that try to to get re-established. Thanks to all the members of the BPA. Your support make this crucial work possible...
Trees smothered by invasive vines.
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Removing invasive vines is time-consuming work.
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Better views, healthier trees, once invasives are removed.
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2021 Bullough's Pond
Bird & Waterfowl Visitors All photos by Kathleen Kouril Grieser 
Geat Blue Heron
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Swan
Red-tailed Hawk
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Mallard
Cormorant
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Bullough's Pond Association Awards
Scholarship to NNHS Student Elliot Alberts
Scholarship to NNHS Student Elliot Alberts
The Bullough's Pond Association is delighted to announce the awarding of this year's Bullough's Pond Assiciation Scholarships to Elliot Alberts, a 2021 graduate of Newton North High School. Alberts has demonstrated commitment to science and the environment through his participation in science and engineering classes, and by taking on leadership roles with the NNHS Science Team. He applied his knowledge in STEM to help others by teaching at New England Sci Tech (NEST), a STEM education center and makerspace in Natick, where he designed, taught, and trained other
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high-schoolers to lead what has become NEST’s most popular STEM course - “Battlebots.” Alberts structured the curriculum, which integrates high school-level concepts in engineering, 3D design, physics and math in a way that middle schoolers can grasp and apply. NEST recognized Alberts' contribution and potential, asking him to join its Leadership Team. Alberts started his studies in Environmental Engineering as a first-year student at Dartmouth University in September.
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Elliot Alberts
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The BPA sponsors up to two $500 scholarships annually, each to be awarded to a high school senior who lives, or attends high school, in Newton. The scholarship honors students who have a demonstrated record of active science and/or environmental studies and efforts in the City of Newton, particularly volunteer work contributing to the care of Bullough’s Pond.
Application Information is HERE. |
BPA Gift Shopping:
Did you know you can support the care and protection of Bullough's Pond and take care of some of your gift shopping at the same time? Visit the Shop page on our website, or email webmasterbulloughspond@gmail.com to order BPA merchandise and arrange pick up or delivery.
Bullough's Pond Holiday Cards feature an image of peace that's perfect for any of the winter holidays, and elegant Bullough's Pond Note Cards make a wonderful small gift. Give your family, friends and co-workers a little taste of our neighborhood with a cheerful and stylish BPA Logo Coffee Mug.
For a young child in your life, purchase a copy of Jamie and the Ducks of August, a charming story about a little boy and the ducks he loves on Bullough's Pond, written by the BPA's own Helene Tischler and illustrated by her longtime Bullough's Pond neighbor, the artist Charlotte Lockwood. Proceeds support the Association's maintenance efforts at the pond. Click the product photos to shop.
Did you know you can support the care and protection of Bullough's Pond and take care of some of your gift shopping at the same time? Visit the Shop page on our website, or email webmasterbulloughspond@gmail.com to order BPA merchandise and arrange pick up or delivery.
Bullough's Pond Holiday Cards feature an image of peace that's perfect for any of the winter holidays, and elegant Bullough's Pond Note Cards make a wonderful small gift. Give your family, friends and co-workers a little taste of our neighborhood with a cheerful and stylish BPA Logo Coffee Mug.
For a young child in your life, purchase a copy of Jamie and the Ducks of August, a charming story about a little boy and the ducks he loves on Bullough's Pond, written by the BPA's own Helene Tischler and illustrated by her longtime Bullough's Pond neighbor, the artist Charlotte Lockwood. Proceeds support the Association's maintenance efforts at the pond. Click the product photos to shop.
Bullough's Pond Holiday Cards, 5 pack $10
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Bullough's Note Cards, 10 unique cards $16
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BPA Coffee Mug $14
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BPA Children's Book $10
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