PEABODY — Despite freezing temperatures, more than 200 residents huddled in winter coats, scarves, and gloves at the opening of Crystal Lake on Thursday.
Since the 1970s, there’s been a grass-roots effort to save the eight-acre lake from becoming a swamp. With a $3.5 million investment of city, state, and grant funds, work was recently completed to make it a vibrant recreation area again.
“This is a historic moment for the city,” said Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt Jr., who spoke at the lake’s edge without a coat. “It’s a day you and I have have looked forward to for many years. This is a proud day for all of us to see this project become a reality.”
When temperatures rise next spring, people from across the city can enjoy the park complete with paddle boats, picnic tables and benches, a new footpath on the lake’s south side, and a fountain in the lake.
“I’m so excited because all those memories that took place years ago on this spot will be recreated for a new generation,” the mayor said.
Bettencourt said something of this magnitude can’t be done alone. He said it was the result of many people working long hours, often for no pay, to make it happen.
He singled out the city’s State House delegation including former state Rep. Joyce Spiliotis to secure the initial $800,000 to jumpstart the project.
“She went to bat for us along with state Rep. Ted Speliotis and Sen. Fred Berry to get us that seed money to get us going,” he said.
The mayor praised the city’s Parks Recreation & Forestry, Community Development, the City Council, the Peabody Municipal Light Plant, and the Department of Public Works, for lending a hand.
Former Ward 6 City Councilor Barry Sinowitz, who was involved in the early effort to save the lake, said the opening day turnout was like a reunion.
“There are so many friends here who worked on this project, it’s gratifying,” he said. “This project began more than 31 years ago with a dream by the Friends of Peabody Lakes, it languished for a while, but really got off the ground with that seed money … it languished again, and then one thing happened that changed everything, Mayor Bettencourt got elected and his leadership made it happen.”
More than 50,000 cubic yards, or 4,200 truckloads of sediment were dredged from the lake. The result has been to increase its depth from three to eight feet and to restore the water to its natural flow and clarity.
With dredging complete, Phase 2 added docks for fishing, boats, a gazebo, and new landscaping.
“Before the dredging was complete, you could have walked across the pond and just be up to your knees,” Bettencourt said. “That’s all changed. Enjoy the beautiful lake.”
