Published September 18, 2020

MELROSE — Long a force for positive change, the Ell Pond Improvement Council, Inc. celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Formed originally in 1970 as the Activity, Beauty and Conservation (ABC) Committee, EPIC is a non-profit 501(c)3 whose mission is to expand and improve the pond’s shoreline greenways and walking paths and improve water quality.

Melrosians who enjoy the pond area have seen some of the projects we’ve accomplished, including creation of the Crystal Street/DeForge Park shoreline greenway; improvements to the knoll shoreline greenway, including addition of a rain garden; planting of hundreds of native shoreline trees and shrubs as part of our annual “Green and Clean” days and other grant programs; and monitoring of storm drain bacterial levels. Some readers may also remember our mostly-musical Ell Pond Festivals held from 2000 to 2007. And if you haven’t seen them yet check out artist Lisa Tiemann’s terrific stone mosaic turtles at the knoll shoreline benches…a nod to the many turtles in the pond.

However, despite these many shoreline greenway enhancements, the pond itself has seen better days. While still offering good bass and perch fishing, the pond is getting choked with invasive aquatic plants, suffers from chronic low water depth and high nutrient levels, and parts are slowly filling in. There is even a small cat-tail island now forming in the middle of the pond.

EPIC hopes to work with Mayor Brodeur’s administration to begin addressing these larger, long term issues. One recommendation is to closely re-examine operation of the flood control gate near the gazebo. It seems that since about the time the flood-gate was installed (c. 2008) the water level in the pond has been almost a foot lower than historic levels, an important depth given that shallower parts of the pond are now more swamp than pond.

It so happens that the city has recently initiated an Ell Pond feasibility study, but more to evaluate the knoll/soccer field/shoreline area rather than the pond itself. EPIC appreciates being invited to participate in this effort and will continue advocating for robust shoreline greenways/buffer zones between the various athletic fields and the pond.

One specific recommendation would be larger scale use of the shoreline no-mowing areas (aka mini-meadows) that EPIC has created to date between the athletic fields and the shore in the general vicinity of the knoll. If done correctly, city costs would be reduced as areas needing mowing are reduced. The walking path would continue to co-exist in these naturalized areas. With minimal maintenance and improved ecological value, such naturalized shorelines will only help to address the long term water quality issues mentioned above.

Good causes collect good people, and EPIC has enjoyed a wide variety of collaborators over the years, including the Melrose UU Church, Melrose Parks Department, Planning Department, Recycling Committee, Arts Council, Mass DEP and Girl Scouts/Boy Scouts to name just a few. Thank you to all who help make the pond a better place.

Another project we’ll continue this anniversary year is the Ell Pond memorial tree program. For a modest fee to cover expenses, EPIC will plant a native memorial tree and plaque in honor of a loved one in designated, city-approved locations around the pond. Through the magic of photosynthesis, in addition to celebrating a loved one these trees reduce our carbon footprint by converting atmospheric carbon dioxide to oxygen.

Please note: This year’s annual Ell Pond Green and Clean Day is scheduled for Saturday, October 3 from 9 a.m. to noon at the knoll shoreline (rain date Sunday, October 4). COVID-compliant volunteers are needed to help with shoreline plantings, litter and invasive species removal, and repairs to the shoreline no-mowing fences. A plant swap will also be held.

Note that this year the Green and Clean Day will be held in conjunction with a larger city-wide litter cleanup effort being organized by Keep Melrose Beautiful and Zero Waste Melrose.

EPIC, Inc. generally meets on the fourth Thursday of the month (once such meetings are allowed) and all are welcome. Meetings in the warmer months focus on removal of invasive species and maintenance of the knoll greenway. Call 781-526-7383 for more information.