White Pond needs a people management plan as Summer 2025 heats up

In its May 9, 2025 issue, The Concord Bridge reported that the Town has eliminated its one Ranger position, previously responsible for overseeing multiple public properties including White Pond. While the Ranger presence at White Pond has always been minimal, its existence served as a deterrent against some harmful visitor behavior. Concord’s Natural Resources Director, Delia Kaye, confirmed that the Town has no plans to replace the role with volunteer support either.

This approach is sadly consistent with over a decade of inaction: the Town's longstanding strategy has been to do little until things go wrong and then call the police. White Pond deserves a people management plan backed up with Town support. This doesn't mean money - it could mean publicity or volunteer coordination. The status quo of doing nothing does not serve the Town or its residents.

Both the 2015 and 2021 White Pond Advisory Committee reports named people management as a core concern. The 2021 report put it plainly:

"While early morning fishermen are welcome, it is normal to find discarded beer cans, cigarette butts, plastic wrappers, plastic bags, animal feces and fishing line later in the day. Human waste goes directly in the pond and swimming in prohibited areas is common. Combined, visitors to unmanaged areas of White Pond contribute to a degradation of water quality and the surrounding land areas."

The 2024 White Pond Task Force also highlighted people management as a top concern. Along with recommending increased Ranger time on the weekends, the Task Force asked for:

"Enforcement of parking laws on the State access road/surrounding roads/neighborhoods, and the checking of White Pond membership at the parking lot entrance (versus membership checks at the town beach during the swimming season).

"Support improved public outreach including the addition of permanent signage in Sachem’s Cove with information about available swimming facilities at the Town Beach and the adverse ecological impacts of the destruction of vegetation, addition of nutrients via human and dog waste, etc."

In a meeting a few years ago between residents and Concord’s Chief of Police—attended by Delia Kaye—the takeaway on enforcement was simply: call the police if there is a problem. However, White Pond isn’t easily accessible from public roads. By the time officers arrive, the damage is usually done.

Ironically, 2024 was a strong year for both the pond’s water quality and people management, thanks largely to high water levels that covered sandy areas and kept visitors away from sensitive zones. But 2025 is already shaping up differently: the water table is lower, and once again visitors are gathering at the Cove and the public boat ramp. The completion of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail has increased both foot and bike traffic near the area. With more Town-provided access comes more Town responsibility.

Stairs at White Pond's Sachem Cove are again open for visiting the pond after last year's high water table

The now-defunct Ranger program may not have been perfect, but it was better than nothing. In a time of shrinking budgets and dwindling volunteerism, its loss was predictable—but not without consequences.

White Pond is a vital community asset. With stewardship, new tools like the A-Pod, and shared responsibility from both residents and the Town, it can thrive for future generations. But stewardship requires more than lip service. Vigilance means little without a plan. 2025 is already suggesting that White Pond could face a challenging summer..