Brief History on the Pond
Past
Over the course of the last few centuries, the quality of water throughout the state of Massachusetts has varied greatly, with the city of Worcester being no exception. In the mid-17th century, settlers moved to the area because of an abundance of resources and clean water. Worcester soon became a hub of innovation and industry in the state of Massachusetts and the country, becoming synonymous with the manufacturing era of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. However, like most industrial areas, the preservation of nature is not a top priority. This, along with wildlife and a significant decrease in overall use of the pond has affected the public perception in a negative way. The citizens in the area want to revive the pond in order for it to be utilized in the way it once was, where recreational activity thrived. The goal of this website is to serve as the adhesive for the current restoration efforts and the public efforts of the future.
Current
Coes Pond is currently entering an extensive restoration period. There has been a master-plan in place since 2005 that has yet to be significantly implemented. A main focus of this restoration effort is to remove the invasive plant species from the pond. Quite recently, multiple plant species have migrated to Massachusetts including Purple Loosestrife and Asian Water Chestnut (pictured below). Both of these aquatic plants are aggressive in their growing patterns and they have a detrimental effect on the existing ecosystem. The Coes Pond task force is doing their part to try to remove these species as best they can. However, this can be expensive due to the large amount. Despite the plants, Coes Pond is still available for recreational use. The pond is great for canoeing, and the Mill Street Beach employs lifeguards in the summer for anyone who wishes to swim. The main goal of this restoration effort is to allow the public to enjoy the pond, and make the pond aesthetically pleasing to attract people to do so. The Coes Pond Task Force is on its way, but they need your help!
Future
There is a promising future for Coes Pond. All of our efforts are for the benefit of the public. The restoration of Coes Pond is meant to be beneficial to local communities in Worcester and will have an impact on future generations. With Coes Pond restored, the people of Worcester will be able to enjoy nature in a clean and hospitable environment once again.
This picture shows Coes Knife Factory which was located on Coes Pond during the mid-1800s.
This image shows Purple Loosestrife, an invasive shore species at Coes Pond
This image shows Waterchesnut, an invasive species in Coes Pond
A picture of Coes Pond in its current state.