Living on Dudley Pond

Living on Dudley Pond by Judy Currier

Now that elections and town meeting are behind us and hopefully spring is ahead of us, I thought I’d continue our series recognizing the 50^th anniversary of the Dudley Pond Association.

I’ve been active in the Dudley Pond Association since 1980 and although I’m not fortunate enough to have the pond as my backyard, I am fortunate to have many friends who do. We enjoy the beauty, the recreation and the neighbors and we combat the difficulties that arise.

First, let’s take a look at Dudley Pond and the inspiration that comes from living so close to natural beauty. My young neighbor, Jessica Burke, is an avid photographer who claims that “you don’t pick photography, photography picks you.” These photos were taken when Jess was 17. I think you’ll agree that whoever chose first, it was a great choice. (swan, turtle, double rainbow)

Friends and fellow DPA members, Karen and Mike Lowery, live on Dudley Pond. Mike likes to photograph its beauty, too. Here are a few shots that I borrowed from his Facebook page. (ducks, merganser, sunset)

In an article published by the Wayland Weston Town Crier in March of 1984, long time Wayland resident, John Bryant, recalled Dudley Pond’s attraction to fisherman saying that it was “absolutely superb”. And that “there were so many fish in a school. You could practically pick them out of the water.” Red Sox slugger, Ted Williams, apparently agreed as he often fished on Dudley Pond and rumor has it, downed a few at The Dudley Chateau, too. Although one can no longer “pick them out of the water”, fishing in any season remains a Dudley Pond attraction. (canoe fishing, ice fishing)

Swimming, canoeing and kayaking are the biggest recreational activities on Dudley Pond. Each July, The Dudley Pond Association contracts with The Dirty Water Brass Band to circumnavigate the pond performing on two pontoon boats. The Band on a Boat event is open to all and this year will take place on July 28. (Band on a Boat)

And for the shear joy of children lucky enough to live on Dudley Pond, the following photo of Tuttles and friends courtesy of the Salitsky family says it all. ("Tuttles" and friends)

But living on Dudley Pond has its challenges, too. In 1985 Wayland received a state Clean Lakes Grant to install catch basins and pave roads around the pond to prevent storm water and road runoff from continuing to degrade the water quality. And a number of additional grants have been received to improve water quality and deal with weeds. The water is much improved now, but the nutrient load and leaves in the pond provide a breeding ground for aquatic weed growth. In 1991, the first sprig of Eurasian Water Milfoil was discovered in Dudley Pond. As this is an invasive species, the Wayland Surface Water Quality Committee and the Dudley Pond Association have joined forces to curb the problem. Unfortunately, Eurasian Water Milfoil can never be eradicated from Dudley Pond, it can only be “contained”. Each spring/summer, scuba divers descend to the bottom of the pond to hand pull new milfoil growth. Dudley Pond resident and Association member Allison LaClaire is one of those tireless divers and a fine example of how to make lemonade out of lemons. Allison uses the Milfoil as compost. (milfoil and pile of milfoil)

The Dudley Pond 50^th Anniversary celebration will be held at the Sandy Burr Country Club on Saturday, October 13, 2018. An Italian buffet dinner, dancing to the Working Still band and an evening with friends and neighbors will be the order of the evening. Tickets are $20 each and are available through www.eventbrite.com (search Dudley Pond), through the Dudley Pond Website, www.dudleypond.org

and from members of the Executive Board: Doron Almog, President, Eric Macklin, Vice President, Ella LaClaire, Vice President, Lisa Jacobs, Secretary; Jamie Pierce, Treasurer; Karen Lowery, Member at Large and Mike Margossian, Member at Large.