Healing Pond

Spring Pond was once a place where many traveled to for healing.  It was once believed the mineral springs offered medicinal healing.  Here are pictures from a morning walk through an old path.

These hills, where once the Indian dwelt, 

These plains, o’er which the red deer run, 

These shores, where oft are fathers knelt, 

And wild doves built, unscared by man, 

I love them well - for they, to me 

Are as some pleasant memory.

~ by Alonzo Lewis

Spring Pond in Autumn

These beautiful photos of Spring Pond in Autumn are shared by Leslie Courtemanche.  

The second photo is of a Great Blue Heron.

Deer and baby fawn

This is a sighting on video, caught by Leslie Courtemanche, of a female deer nursing her baby fawn in Spring Pond Woods.

Seeking volunteers to survey rare species

Finding species listed with Natural Heritage of Endangered Species program is a rarity and special concern in urban areas.  The habitat of a rare bird has been observed in the greenbelt following the power-lines from Salem Woods to Spring Pond Woods to Lynn Woods and green areas in between.  The state has asked for our help to conduct a larger survey of the area.  

If (those fearlessly) interested in joining our efforts within one of these areas, to observe and document this genus during a couple warm nights in spring and summer under a specific moon phase between the survey window of May 18-31, and June 16-30, please inquire for more info. 

It is an extraordinary experience listening to the sounds of this nearly forgotten species between the disappearing edges of our growing large towns.  The importance of preserving greenbelts and wildlife corridors around our cities has been lacking in regional planning and is now of urgence to raise the importance.  Regulating greenbelt zones can be a means to cooperative planning between cities and towns, following the times new Ahwahnee Principles, helping protect our environment by creating buffer areas between municipalities, and avoiding boundary issues. 

For more info contact 

Katerina Panagiotakis Koudanis

phone: 617.418.3009

e-mail: nisi@katerina.info

or 

Leslie Courtemanche

4th Vernal Pool Certification!

A fourth vernal pool was recently certified in Spring Pond Woods!  This little pond with connecting wetlands and buffer areas is now regulated by many state and local laws as an important wildlife habitat.   

Last year, two vernal pools became certified, and back in 1997 the first vernal pond in Spring Pond Woods was acknowledged for certification.

Thank you to those who visited this area continuously over several nights/ days into months, gathering research.   Much love and peace on...

20 Lynn Youngsters did what the city could not

Perilous Street Cleaned by Boys

With Picks and Shovels 20 Lynn Youngsters Toil All Day --- City Unable to Do Work.

Daily Item, February 28, 1936

When the city ran low on funds, snow removal had ceased for many neighborhoods.  20 youngsters, ranging from ages 6-14 were tired of seeing their elders slip and fall on the streets, and so they created 'Operation Cleanup' to clear Fays Avenue when the city could not.  

To read article:  Click on image.  In slideshow, right-click on image to view in another window.  Image will appear in actual size. E-mail peace@springpondwoods.com for more info.

Thank you to Leslie Courtemanche for sharing these news clippings of her father, Rene Courtemanche who was at the time one of the 20 youngsters and foreman of 'Operation Cleanup'.