Peabody To Rake, Restore Elginwood Pond

PEABODY, MA — A "mechanical harvesting" process that city officials said will restore the health and vitality of Elginwood Pond will begin this month and last between four and five weeks.

Peabody Mayor Ted Bettencourt said on Thursday that the city has contracted with Solitude Lake Management to conduct what is called a "hydro-raking" or "mechanical harvesting" project at the lake.

Officials said the process is similar to the one used in recent years on Crystal Lake.

"Like Crystal Lake, the project is designed to restore the health and vitality of Elginwood Pond for years to come," Bettencourt's office said on Thursday.

Work on the lake will begin on Oct. 24 and last about four to five weeks.

Officials said the Lowell Street entrance to Cobb Avenue will be closed to traffic during that time but that Cobb Avenue will remain open through Lake Street.

"I recognize this project will cause some disruption for residents and drivers in the Elginwood Pond area," Bettencourt said. "Once it is complete, however, the entire pond ecosystem will be improved, and a beautiful natural resource will be restored to its former luster."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)