Spy Pond is a wonderful place but, like
many suburban ponds, it is faced with many challenges and its future depends
on each of us.
Here is a quick list of the challenges
faced by the pond.
After reading the list, visit the Spy
Pond Committee or the Friends of Spy Pond
Park section to learn how you can get involved to tackle these challenges
make the future of Spy Pond great.
Water Quality and Control:
Because Spy Pond is fed partly by groundwater
and partly by surface runoff from the surrounding area anything dropped
on the surface of the watershed may be washed into a storm drain and end
up in the pond. This includes not only pollutants, which causes water pollution,
but also excess fertilizer which causes eutrophication. Eutrophication
is the sign of a pond ecosystem in collapse due to excessive algal bloom,
accumulation of nutrient in sediments, and low levels of dissolved oxygen.
Learn how to help your lawn and the pond
Public Use and Access:
With people visiting and enjoying the
pond every day it takes hard work to insure the current and future beauty
of the pond. Some of the many challenges are to maintain and improve
existing public access and enhance public access and recreation.
All the while ensuring respect for private property.
Geese:
Geese are a major problem on the Pond.
One goose can produce one and one half pounds of droppings per day. Goose
droppings kill vegetation and contribute to elevated bacteria on the land
and in the water. Nutrients from droppings promote weed and algae growth;
weeds fill in the shallows and make boating difficult. Stripped grass and
killed vegetation promote soil erosion in the Park and sediment and polluted
run-off into the Pond. Children and adults can be harassed by geese expecting
to be fed. Goose droppings contain bacteria and they create a slippery
mess
Flora and Fauna:
Spy Pond is full of wonderful plant and
animal life. One of the challenges faced by the pond is to insure a healthy
diversity of plants and wildlife.
Public awareness and the attention of
Government:
Too often we take wonderful things for
granted. It is important to let people and government know about the many
natural, economic, and cultural values of Spy Pond. Find out how
you can help spread the word!
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