LYNNFIELD — GroundMasters Corporation has begun working on at Rotary Park at the shoreline of Pillings Pond on Summer Street.
Bryan Last, a Lynnfield resident and owner of GroundMasters, is working with Planning and Conservation Director Emilie Cademartori to enhance and maintain the native shoreline plantings, remove invasive species, preserve the root systems that prevent shoreline erosion and best expose and beautify the vistas of Pillings Pond.
“GroundMasters is performing this work totally free of charge,” said Cademartori. “Bryan lives on Pillings Pond and gets to appreciate it everyday. By donating the labor of his entire crew over multiple days, all Lynnfield residents have the opportunity to enjoy it as well.”
Cademartori recalled that in 2021 volunteers joined with DeRosa Environmental Consulting to install a shoreline planting area as a wetlands demonstration garden for Pillings Pond abutters.
“The purpose of the garden installation was to demonstrate to shoreline abutters how maintaining a buffer area of native vegetation at the water’s edge could trap and filter pesticide and herbicide as well as nutrient run-off into the pond, prevent erosion by holding the soil with root systems, provide habitat for bird and other wildlife, and be beautiful in its construction,” said Cademartori.
Cademartori said GroundMasters began the multi-stage renovation work with clearing invasive species, selective pruning to better expose the existing native perennial flowers and shrubs, selective raising of established tree limbs to open up vistas of the pond, and selective seeding for bare ground areas on June 1.
“We are partnering with GroundMasters to show our residents how landscaping can be both beautiful and beneficial to water quality and wildlife habitat,” said Cademartori.
GroundMasters will return for future phases of the project and routine Rotary Park grounds maintenance. Crews work under the talented supervision of GroundMaster’s ISA certified arborist Hollie Call. Call, who has worked for GroundMasters for eight years, is a Massachusetts certified landscape professional, and former Massachusetts certified horticulturist. She also holds a pesticide license.