Current
Projects
CLEANUPS
The ILWA holds spring and fall clean ups of the parks surrounding Indian Lake. Dates and times will be posted on this website as soon as they become available. ILWA members can be found on any given day dedicating their time to keep our neighborhood beautiful. Look for Bob Gates working on the newly adopted sidewalk and overgrown area along Norton Drive between Shore Drive and West Boylston Street or taking down dead branches and removing brush at any number of locations. Watch for Herb Adams who does maintenance at Frostholm Memorial, Hapgood Brooks Memorial and Morgan Park in his 'spare' time at 80+!! George Ford can be seen tending to the barrels at the corner of Forest and Grove Streets.
Keep your eye out for ALL our dedicated volunteers!!
COASTSWEEP
We had close to 150 volunteers take part in the Coastsweep/Cleanup day!! Thank you to all who participated. The results of items collected through Coastsweep can be found by clicking here.
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Volunteers of all ages are invited to participate in the fall cleanup of Indian Lake in Worcester on Sunday, October 28, 2007 from 10 am to 2 pm. Residents and members of several neighborhood organizations will participate in the event, including the Indian Lake Watershed Association, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester, and the Department of Public Works and Parks. Participants are asked to register in the parking lot at the corner of Shore Drive and Holden Street, across from the Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester. From there, registrants will be directed to several areas around the lake where they can collect and record trash, clean parks and beaches, or stencil storm drains.
Loree Griffin Burns, local scientist and author of Tracking Trash: Flotsam, Jetsam, and the Science of Ocean Motion, is coordinating this event in celebration of twenty years of ocean protection by The Ocean Conservancy and its Massachusetts counterpart, COASTSWEEP. All participants in the Indian Lake Cleanup will be eligible to win one of several signed copies of Tracking Trash, which explores the work of several scientists who study marine debris and introduces young readers to International Coastal Cleanup events, as well as have the chance to win a day-long school visit by Dr. Burns.
The Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup (ICC), which kicked off across the country on September 15, is the world’s largest volunteer effort to improve the health of the ocean and its wildlife. In addition to cleaning up waterways and beaches, volunteers collect important data on the types, quantity and location of marine debris. The information they gather is compiled into an annual report that is then used to educate and inform citizens and policymakers on ocean conservation issues.
More information on The Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup can be found at www.oceanconservancy.org.
For details on COATSWEEP and the many cleanup events happening around Massachusetts, please visit www.coastsweep.umb.edu/.
For more information on the Indian Lake Cleanup, please contact Loree Burns at lgb@loreeburns.com or call 508-835-1195.
LAKE SAFETY
This past Memorial Day weekend, there was a tragic accident on Indian Lake involving two personal watercraft. The vehicles collided near the lighthouse and it is believed that a 9 year old girl who was a passenger on one of the jetskis was thrown into the wall. While she did survive, she will probably never fully recover from her injuries.
Residents have predicted a serious accident for years. While there are many responsible personal watercraft operators, there are probably equally as many who don't take the time to learn and obey safe boating laws. This combined with the power of these watercraft have forced many lakes to ban them altogether. While some residents do support this approach, the top priority of the ILWA at this time is better educating boat and personal watercraft operators and getting better enforcement of this laws on the lake.
Since the accident, much discussion has taken place between the Worcester Police Department, Massachusetts Environmental Police, the City of Worcester DPW/Parks Department, the ILWA and area residents. City Manager Michael O'Brien is working to free up more funding for police patrols at the lake. ILWA board members have spoken with State Representative Spellane and sent letters to support a bill currently being considered involving mandatory licenses for all watercraft operators.
There is no quick and easy solution at this point. We encourage you to consider doing the following as we continue through this process:
SHORE PARK
After the City of Worcester budget crisis forced the closing of several pools and beaches this summer, a partnership has emerged which has brought a rainbow of opportunity to Shore Park. The former Heald's Beach was purchased by the City of Worcester in 1987. It has long been known for it's barbed wire fence which surrounds this public space. Most years the public was only allowed access for 6 weeks when the city was able to provide lifeguards. Pat Pavini ran the Indian Lake Yacht Club out of the facility for 15 years with much success, however, if you weren't a sailor, this still didn't offer you access to this facility.
This year however has brought about much change for this beautiful 6.8 acre property which will hopefully ensure it's long term care and greater access for all.
License agreements between the City of Worcester, the Greendale YMCA and Bancroft School have been finalized. Under a 3 year agreement, the YMCA will manage Shore Park including providing certified life guards, swimming lessons and possibly in the future kayak or sailing lessons again. Bancroft School will maintain the facility. They have already been instrumental in getting the park ready for it's July 1st opening. The building has new forest green paint, the sand is just calling out for sunbathers and new picnic tables adorn most of the park.
And, passers by this week (7/18) will notice a big change that just began: the changing of the barbed wire fence to a more attractive and inviting wooden guardrail.
Stop and visit the new Shore Park... a city of Worcester parks facility that is finally getting the attention it so deserves.
WATER QUALITY MONITORING
The Indian Lake Watershed
Association began monthly water
quality monitoring as part
of the requirements for the
319 grant combined with our
efforts with the Blackstone
Headwaters Monitoring Team
two years ago. This combined
with our watershed wide survey
allowed us to document key
things that may be negatively
impacting the lake quality
and helped us to develop a
long term plan for water improvements.
Now that the monitoring is
no longer a requirement of
the grant, we have reduced
the testing to twice a year.
Things that we test for include
temperature, Ph, dissolved
oxygen, turbidity, phosphates
and nitrates.
While these terms may not
make you want to run out and
get involved, let me explain
to you some of the important
reasons why you should.
Oxygen is necessary for
all forms of life. If the dissolved
oxygen (DO) level is
too low in a water body,
the aquatic life is put under
stress. Low DO levels have
been known to cause massive
fish kills in a matter of
hours!
There is a saying that
’green lawns mean green lakes’.
High levels of nitrates and phosphates from
fertilizers applied within
the watershed can enter the
water system, accelerate
the plant growth and contribute
to algae blooms. While aquatic
plants are an important component
of lake systems, providing
food and shelter for bugs,
fish and other organisms
as well as providing shoreline
erosion control, any conditions
that harm such a balanced
environment can potentially
destroy thousands of organisms
and aquatic life that lives
there.
Indian Lake is also the headwaters
of the Blackstone Canal whose
ongoing revival has been celebrated
from Worcester to Providence.
The improvements we make will
ultimately have an impact on
these efforts too! As we can
continue to track data after
the installation of
the BMPs, we should be able
to see a very clear pattern
of improvement at the sites
they are installed and be able
to use this to leverage monies
for more of them to be put
into place.
We are learning too! There
are many tests that are not
difficult but we need more
people to train. Even dropping
off a water sample from one
of the designated points helps!
The more people we can get
to help with collecting samples
and/or testing, the quicker
the process goes, we can continue
collecting this data and building
on our success.
We are currently monitoring
locations in spring and fall
only. The more people we can
get to either pick up a water
sample or learn to run these
tests, the better.
For information on how you
can help, contact Kim McCoy
at mcbstone@yahoo.com or Beth Proko
at 508-856-9598.
SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET GIVES ILWA A BOOST
Massachusetts State Representatives
Bob Spellane and Jim Leary took
the initiative to file an amendment
to the state supplemental budget
for the benefit of the Indian
Lake Watershed Association to
assist the many community projects
we are in the midst of. The amendment
for $25,000 (!!) was approved
by the House of Representatives
in late October. It then had
to go before the Senate for approval.
Without hesitation, Senator
Chandler took the ball and lobbied
her counterparts in the Senate
to support this initiative and
it also passed.
We are so very fortunate to
have the attention and support
of these wonderful individuals.
Their commitment to our organization
and our community is truly remarkable.
Please take the time to pass
on your thanks and support to
Representatives Spellane and
Leary and Senator Chandler!
These monies had to be allocated and spent before June 30, 2007. A full report has been submitted to the state. Items we were able to fund with these monies include:
Remaining items at Frostholm Memorial.
2007 aquatic management programs for Indian Lake and Little Indian.
Full lake copper sulphate algae treatment at Indian Lake.
Sediment characterization at four points around Indian Lake with the highest priorities being the locations where underground sedimentation basins have been installed to limit entry of new sediment into the lake. This is in preparation for future dredging of built up sediment.
Water monitoring equipment.
ALGAE TREATMENTS
We have had significant algae
issues at Indian Lake for the
past several years. While some
algae blooms are normal, the
shallowness of the lake due to
excessive sediment build up,
and foreign matter entering the
lake have increased the amount
of algae.
We have always limited chemical
treatments of Indian Lake unless
absolutely necessary. We work
with Aquatic Control Technology
to identify our options for lake
management each year.
We have treated for algae in
the past with copper sulphate
in a split treatment on the lake.
However, the last couple of times
we did this, there was not a
significant improvement.
In June of 2007, Aquatic Control did a full lake algae treatment with copper sulphate. While an immediate change was not noted, we are continuing to monitor the clarity throughout the summer.
5/17/07 ---- 2 ft 9 inches
6/27/2006 ----- 3 1/2 Feet
7/9/2006 ------ 4 Feet
BOAT RAMP
Due to budget and organization
changes, the awaited plans for
a proposed boat ramp at Shore
Park have not transpired as of
yet, however, the design stage
is imminent. The Department of
Fish & Game Fishing & Boating
Access Division will be doing
the project design in house.
With the onset of this plan, we are hoping to inspire the parks department to work with ILWA and neighbors to develop a long term master plan for this facility which will improve public access. We will keep you informed of meetings to discuss these plans.
Completed
Projects
FROSTHOLM MEMORIAL RESTORATION PROJECT
The Indian Lake Watershed Association
(ILWA) members have long cared
for the Frostholm Memorial located
on West Boylston Street in Worcester
near the on and off ramps to
Route 190 across from Strand’s
Ski Shop. Our efforts have
included mowing, annual plantings
and the donation and installation
of a flagpole and evergreen tree
at this highly visible location.
The memorial is approximately
1 acre in size with a large stone
memorial in the center. The few
remaining veteran’s names were
removed from the memorial several
years ago after the display case
deteriorated. Working with the
support the City of Worcester
Veteran’s Services and Worcester
Parks and Recreation Department,
the ILWA has recently undertaken
the project of researching the
names of the World War II Veteran’s
from this Greendale neighborhood
that were originally honored
with this memorial as well as
enhancing the area surrounding
it. Some consideration is also
underway for expanding the memorial
to honor neighborhood veterans
from WWII to today.
The Parks and Recreation Department
worked with the ILWA to develop
a plan to rehabilitate the entire
memorial island as part of this
effort. The rehabilitation project
includes: enhancing the landscape
of the entire Frostholm Memorial
island; installation of over
1100 square feet of brick pathways
from West Boylston Drive, where
there is on street parking, leading
to the memorial and flagpole;
installation of benches and one
permanent trash receptacle; installation
of a new display case; restoration
of the original World War II
Veteran’s names; and, addition
of a large plaque on the back
of the memorial with the name
inscribed so approaching vehicles
on West Boylston Street can identify
it.
Individuals and Businesses Make Project a HUGE Success!
After a few setbacks such as heavy rains in the fall, we are please to report that the Frostholm Memorial Restoration project is in full swing. Here are the things we have accomplished so far:
John Jolin of Jolin Paving and Excavating donated his time and equipment to dig out over 1100 square feet of pathway.
Richard Balderelli of Balderelli Brothers in West Boylston donated over 40 tons of gravel for our pathway base.
John Sansoucy of Sansoucy Stone donated the bricks, edging and over 8 tons of stone dust.
Saint Gobain Corporation Foundation awarded a grant in the amount of $2500 to assist with signage and plant installation.
Frost Manufacturing is graciously helping with signage and name tags.
We have commitments from four sponsors to cover the costs of park benches: Worcester Fitness, Chadwick Food Mart, Ramstrom’s Service Center and Hoey Tire Co.
ILWA board members and veterans Herb Adams and Bob Gates are building the approximately 6 foot by 8 foot display case by hand which will house the veteran’s names.
Over the winter, board members worked with local veterans sorting through thousands of names to re-create the list of neighborhood WW II veteran’s that were originally honored with this memorial.
Old plantings that originally surrounded the memorial were removed and items that could be saved were transplanted to Nelson Place Elementary School in preparation for over $5000 of new plants and bushes that are being donated by the Nathaniel Wheeler Trust.
On May 13th, over 30 students, teachers and parents from St. John’s High School in Shrewsbury worked with ILWA volunteers in the pouring rain to install the base and begin the pathway build.
Taylor Rental was kind enough to donate the compactor to use for the pathway installation.
Baystate Hardware offered a reduced price on rakes for the project.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who helped. It is truly humbling to see how everyone has come together to make this happen. It could not have happened without each and every one of you!
The Frostholm Memorial Ribbon cutting was held on Saturday, May 5th, 2007. This wonderful event was coordinated by Karen Greenwood of the City of Worcester Veteran's Services and Rob Antonelli of the City of Worcester Parks & DPW. It included several speakers, the Vernon Hill Post #435 Color Guard and of course many of our local veterans and neighbors.
If you know of a neighborhood Veteran whose name has been missed, please fill out the form below and send it in. We will include it when we make our next update. Since the names were lost, gathering the names will be an ongoing process for some time.
Veteran Form
Thank you to all!
Frostholm Memorial "Before" ................................................... and "After".
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 319 NON POINT SOURCE POLLUTION PROGRAM
In the fall of 2001, the Indian Lake Watershed Association, working in cooperation with the City of Worcester Department of Public Works (DPW), was awarded a Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Section 319 Nonpoint Source Pollution Program grant. The goal of this grant was to substantially reduce sediment, phosphorus and other contaminants from entering Indian Lake through the implementation of watershed Best Management Practices (BMPs). A form of sedimentation basin was designed and scheduled to be installed at four locations determined to be the most critical points of contaminant loading around the lake. The total project budget of $437,900 also included monitoring the water quality pre and post installation of the BMPs, repairs to the dam impounding Indian Lake, educational outreach and implementation of an innovative weed replacement program to combat invasive weeds in the water body. $253,000 of these monies came from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). $184,900 were to be in the form of monies raised, in-kind services and volunteer work.
Michael Zylich, the ILWAs Special Projects Manager, took the initiative in preparing and coordinating the majority of this grant which took the better part of a ream of paper for each copy!
On March 26th, 2002, Jane Pierce, Program Coordinator for DEP and Matt Labovites, then Director of Sewer Operations for DPW, finalized the required paperwork for the grant process to begin. After this time, all monies received through memberships and grants, volunteer work and in kind services received pertaining to the project started counting as a dollar value towards our match until the completion of the grant.
This grant is especially important because it paves the road for significant opportunity at Indian Lake. Over the past 50 years, development within the watershed has increased dramatically which has caused increased water quality problems. Six to seven foot deltas of sedimentation can be seen at some of the most critical inlets to the lake. By reducing the flow of sediment, we can begin to look at removal of the built up material, thereby significantly improving water quality and increasing both wildlife and recreational opportunities.
As part of the 319 Nonpoint
Source Pollution Grant Program, the
high volume underground sedimentation
catch basins (also known as BMP's)
were installed near Nelson Place,
Huntington Avenue and Sherbourne
Avenue in the fall of 2005. These devices
will begin trapping much of the
sediment and foreign runoff that
is entering Indian Lake.
Unfortunately, when the bids
came in on these systems, the
cost was more than was expected.
Even with a shuffle of some of
our 319 funds and the elimination of one, we were not able
to adequately fund the remaining three.
Matt Labovites, Assistant DPW
Commissioner, and his staff did
a lot of fancy footwork and were
able to come up with the difference
through the City's stormwater management
budget. We are very fortunate
to have these folks working on
our side!
Once we are able to measure
the success of the systems, it
should open the door for additional funding
for installation
of more BMP systems and in
the long term, dredging of excessive sediment
that has accumulated and deteriorated
the quality of the lake.
Some of the other notable items which we accomplished during the 3 year grant cycle are noted on the Watershed Protection page of this website. Our ILWA volunteers worked tirelessly behind the scenes attending monthly status meetings and preparing quarterly reports in addition to all the grant objectives. This website is a important piece of our educational outreach inspired by the grant.
Our group is honored and privileged to work with Matt Labovites and his staff at the City of Worcester Department of Public Works. They really went above and beyond to ensure the success of this project. Together, we demonstrated a significant cooperative partnership between the city and a non profit organization which should be commended.
And, to Jane Pierce and the Department of Environmental Protection, our sincere thanks for having the confidence in our organization and ideas. This opportunity has been so significant for Indian Lake as well as our association and the City of Worcester. We applaud the efforts of this DEP for their vision and hard work.
