Walden Pond to Accommodate Hikers

Concord residents who live within biking distance of Walden Pond may have a better chance of gaining access to the area this coming summer. 

With a drop in the number of parking spaces at the pond being almost cut in half from 300 to 169, residents may need to develop alternative transportation methods.

The Department of Conservation and Recreation issued a statement that visitor capacity to Walden Pond State Reservation will be restricted this season as heavy spring rains have caused water levels in the pond to rise several feet above normal, covering beach areas and trails.

According to the Department of Conservation and Recreation's Commissioner      Rick Sullivan, the "restrictions to be in place for the entire summer season."

The popular pond path will have limited access and signs will indicate alternative paths where visitors are allowed.  Swimmers will no longer be allowed to swim beyond the lifeguarded areas.

Luckily there has been no impact on any items of historic value by the flooding waters.  Walden Pond is a kettle-hole pond with no surface water flowing in or out.

Sullivan explained the water table needs to go down and evaporation needs to occur to have the flooding effect subside. Although the water is the highest in recent memory, Thoreau recounts a level higher and historically in the 1850's, the water may have been at a higher level.

The Department of Conservation and Recreation has reached out to try to accommodate tours on a case-by-case basis.

Sullivan is asking the community and public to join with us for a "year-long planning process as to what Walden Pond could be in the future."