Friends of Walden Pond

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, THE THOREAU SOCIETY

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA) has awarded a matching grant of $25,000 to the Friends of Walden Pond, an activity of the Thoreau Society. This grant will be used for rehabilitation of the bathhouse at the State Reservation and for work on four interpretive signs. The EOEA Office of Public Private Partnerships has developed the Matching Funds program as a new model for stewardship of historic, cultural, recreational and natural resources across the Commonwealth.

According to Walden Pond Park Supervisor Denise Morrissey, the rehabilitation project will provide the necessary funds to repair the interior of the bathhouse, which will improve the visitor’s experience dramatically. The current structure has not been significantly improved since it was remodeled in 1985. The bathhouse is used by over 300,000 people each summer, and is the only facility located on the shore of historic Walden Pond.

The Friends of Walden Pond have also generously agreed to supplement state funds for the development of two new interpretive wayside signs. Money has been allocated to repair the two existing signs, which describe the historic, cultural and environmental significance of frequently-visited areas around the pond. The information contained in these mini-exhibits will enhance visitors’ experience and understanding of Walden

The Thoreau Society, with an international membership of 1600, became the official Friends group for Walden in 2001, supporting the educational programs, visitor services, park operations and conservation efforts at Walden Pond State Reservation. The Society has had a presence at the Pond since 1995, managing the Thoreau Society Shop at park headquarters across from the pond, and complementing the work of the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) staff to provide current and historical information to Park visitors.