Home>Environment>Studies & Reports>Annual Reports>2000
Annual Report 2000

Martins Pond Association
c/o North Reading Town Hall
235 North St
North Reading MA 01864 Contacts:
Lida Jenney
or
Janet Nicosia

2004 Annual Report of the Martins Pond Reclamation Study Committee and the Martins Pond Association

During 2000, we focused on the following: 1) a Spring newsletter to the pond community, 2) making small improvements at Clarke Park, and most importantly, 3) creating or participating in events to promote the pond and raise funds for future park improvements.

Spring Newsletter

In April, we hand delivered a newsletter to the pond area residents. Included was information on the do’s and don’ts of living by the pond to protect it. In addition, it had the following upcoming event information:

April Town Meeting - we encouraged support of article 11 to fund the design of sewer improvements for the town and, in particular, the Martins Pond area,
Proposed housing development off Flash Road (another “lost colony” as land in Andover) may have a negative impact on traffic, water supply, loss of open space and possible view of Rt. 125 from the pond.

Pond clean-up scheduled for Saturday, May 6 from 9am - 12 noon

Memorial Day parade float to honor Pvt. Frederick Clarke - looking for volunteers.

Summer Festival information

Drop-in Volleyball to be starting soon (we hoped).

Clarke Park Improvements and Purchases

We continue to try to help the Parks department maintain existing park structures and purchase enhancements. We spent $200 on materials for additional electric wiring that volunteer Harvey Card added to the pavilion to accommodate our needs at park events Quality Striping donated their services to paint the basketball court.

We purchased the following to help with our park fund raising events: a remote microphone ($200), some costumes, lighting and decorations that can be used again at future events.

Fund Raising Activities for Park Improvements

7th Annual Winter Festival - Saturday, February 5
Approximate proceeds $900. We had perfect ice skating conditions on the rink on the pond and in the flooded rink in the Turtle Trail at the park. We offered an ice fishing demonstration, pony and carousel rides, photos with Pikachu the Pokemon character, games with prizes, Irish folk singing around the campfire, face painting, hot food and over 25 raffle prizes.

Children’s Concert with Kevin Devine - Saturday, March 25 at 3 PM
This is the second year we tried this event (May 1999 also) at the high school gymnasium. Kevin’s special guest this year was the Friends of Broadway children’s dance troupe. We did not make any money either time although those that came enjoyed the show and had their faces painted for no extra charge. We won’t be doing this event next year.

6th Annual Summer Festival - Saturday, June 17
Despite unbearable heat, we raised approximately $1,400 (including $300 from Wal-Mart after the event). We held a fishing derby and, for the first time, we held canoe races with trophies to the winners. Even Sate Senator Bruce Tarr participated in the canoe race. We offered food, a flea market, face painting, a moon bounce, pony rides, games, live music, a fire truck to climb on, raffles of six bikes and more.

6th Annual Children’s Haunted Playground - Saturday, November 4
Approximate proceeds $1,050. We had to postpone the event to the weekend after Halloween due to high winds. Our revenue was less than the prior year probably due to the postponement and higher expenses incurred to build sets (which can be utilized again next year). Participants enjoyed our enhanced guided tours through the haunted exhibits at the park. Prizes were awarded to the children with the best costumes. Food (added Dominos pizza this year) and light rope necklaces were sold.

Plans for the Future