Taking my daily non-winter walk around Goldfish Pond is a special moment for me each day.
I watch the ducks, turtles, and thousands of fish move about and take in the beautiful plantings and fountains. I just assumed, like most people, that this just appeared and was paid for by some funding apparatus by the City of Lynn.
I know a little about the volunteers, but there is a whole lot I did not know and on which I recently got a lesson.
This week’s walks involved some dodging, as there was an inordinate amount of droppings from the large number of geese moving about the pond and its perimeter — definitely more than the usual, in my opinion. I saw several gentlemen getting ready to do some work, so I stopped and asked them if this was more than they had ever seen.
For the next 30 minutes, they explained how the park is run, how it is funded, and how the cleanup is needed constantly.
One very big problem is the feeding geese. Families with children feel it is all right to feed wild animals. But this causes so much damage. Not only are the walkways filthy but the runoff into the pond from the sidewalks when it rains is extremely bad for the water quality in the pond.
Trash is another problem. During this pandemic, the pond is being used far more than it has in a long time. The trash bins overflow. This is where I found out what really goes on here.
The city picks up a few barrels. Volunteers take care of the rest. They also mow the lawns, do the planting and maintain the fountains.
I asked about the funding sources and they mentioned several grants they have received by the City of Lynn as well as some money from the EDIC. But most of the dollars come from fundraising and their annual flea market, which takes in about $4,000 every year.
It is not being held this year.
The money these volunteers depend on to keep the pond clean and beautiful is much-needed. Volunteers are needed. The cups and cans floating in the pond do not magically disappear.
The two men I was talking to do a cleanup every morning. I thanked them for the great job they do, and from which we all benefit. Please go to Goldfishpond.org and donate any money you can. And maybe one morning, you can help out and expand the number of much-needed volunteers who make this area so special.
John M. Gilberg is an Essex Media Group director.
