Enhancements made Richmond Pond boat ramp friendlier, safer
On Monday afternoon, November 6, a group of individuals met at the Richmond Pond boat ramp to celebrate the completion of its recent upgrades. With funds from the DFW Office of Fishing and Boating Access, the Natural Heritage Foundation and the Town of Richmond, some platforms were set up for wheelchair access and kayak ramp access. Richmond Selectman Al Hanson hosted the event.
He thanked the DFW Division of Public Access for making the boat ramp far more friendly and safer, noting that more people including handicaps will be able to use it. He thanked all those involved including the Richmond Highway Department for its efforts and involvement in having this become a reality.
MA Commissioner of Fish & Game Ron Amidon thanked the Baker/Polito Administration and EOEEA Secretary Matt Beaton for making sure “The monies got to the ground. It’s a heck of an upgrade with a nice platform which allows people to get on and off the water in a safe fashion.” He thanked the town of Richmond for everything they do to make sure land like this stays open.
State Senator Adam Hines, himself a kayaker, said that “You can see the natural beauty that we have here, that we cherish, that are so critical as to who we are and critical to our economic development. The more we can do to preserve that, the better off we are. The town of Richmond has been on the front lines to make sure we prioritized this project.”
“These lakes and ponds are so important to all of us here in Western Massachusetts, not only for people in the Berkshires and people who live on the ponds but for environmental tourism.” said MA Representative William (Smitty) Pignatelli. “That’s a serious opportunity for all of us who live out here in Western Massachusetts. Having access is critically important, that’s why this investment here today speaks highly. These are wise investments and the towns are wise to think about them as valuable assets. This is a great investment not only for the Berkshires but also for the town of Richmond”.
A representative from the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen commented how wonderful the project was, not only the ramp but also the handicap access.
Carl Foote from the Richmond Pond Association, the Association representing all of the landowners around the lake, spoke. “We are keenly interested in investing in this lake and keeping it healthy and keeping it a great place for recreation. What’s gone on this past year is a great enhancement.” He thanked Jerry Coppola for installing the benches as well as Holly Stover for all that she has done over the years.
Jack Shepard, Director of the MA Office of Fishing and Boating Access, the engineering agency for the Department of Fish & Game, thanked Secretary Beaton for providing the funds, as well as folks from the Richmond Highway Department and Terry Smith from his office. Terry is the senior environmental and civil engineer who designed this project, got the permits, etc.
There were others in attendance too, including DFW Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden and retired Fish & Wildlife Board Chairman George (Gige) Darey.
The ceremony had barely started when strong winds and rain whipped around. It was necessary for Highway Department personnel and others to hold the overhead tarps lest they went flying into the lake. But, the rain didn’t dampen the spirits of the ceremony nor the tasty cider donuts that someone was kind enough to bring.
The improvements include three ramps which reach the water’s edge, in addition to the pre-existing boat ramp. One ramp will have a 40-foot portable dock attached to it especially constructed to make it easier for the paddlers to get in and out of their kayaks/canoes. Not sure if shore anglers can use it, but the kayak/canoe fishermen will definitely benefit. There are two other ramps which allow handicapped anglers to reach water’s edge to fish.
The Richmond Pond Association purchased and the Richmond Highway Department installed two new benches which face East toward Lenox Mountain. The view is outstanding. Plaques have been installed on them by the Richmond Pond Association in memory of the late Jim Mooney and Lois Kelly, recognizing their lifetime work on behalf of the pond.
Lois’s major contribution to the pond was her proactive efforts, which were successful, to downsize the proposed condominium development on Richmond Pond that ultimately became South Pond Farm Condominiums. It was original proposed for about 72 condos, but ended up being limited to 42, with prohibitions on docks and moored boats, limits of tree cutting, etc. Among many other feats, Jim was remembered for his 40-year career with the Boys’ and Girls’ Club of Pittsfield. The Camp Russell Swimming Pool and newly built Cabin (Mooney Hall) had previously been named in his honor.
A page from the June 2008 Richmond Record was distributed to all attendees. The article, entitled “Town Beach – from idea to final reality”, was written by Holly Stover. In it she described how her father, Arthur Howard, after returning home from WWII was alarmed to see the beginnings of extensive development along the south short of Richmond Pond. Although a native of Pittsfield, Arthur had close ties with Richmond having camped summers on Richmond Pond all his life. He and other Richmond residents were concerned that they were being cut off from having a safe and adequately sized area for recreation on the lake.
In 1945 public access was created by eminent domain takings from the Pittsfield Boy’s Club to create shore front access between Richmond Shores and Camp Russell. In the early 1950’s an agreement was made with the Boys Club to use a 50-foot wide shorefront lot between cottage lots on the south shore. The arrangement worked in a limited way for 20 years.
The northwest shore offered the most likely place to have a town beach. The late Darwin Morse purchased land for $5,000 and held it until the town was ready to accept it. They did so in 1957 and reaffirmed it in 1959 after considering another project. There was a lot of negotiating with the Boys Club, the Boston & Albany Railroad, Camp Allegro (owners of the dam), MA Division of Waterways, Public Access Board, Department of Natural Resources, and others to get adequate access to the property. An awful lot of work was performed by local residents, including Walter Iwanowicz, a local farmer who used his farm equipment to limit costs, Arthur and Fran Bartlett who negotiated with the Public Access Board and, of course, Arthur Howard.
By the early 1970’s the Richmond Town Beach and state boat ramp were in full use, which set the stage for last week’s event.
It is an interesting story and space does not allow me to list all of the events which transpired over the years to get to this point. Perhaps you can get a copy of Holly Stover’s above-mentioned Richmond Record article. It is a fascinating read which illustrates what united residents of a small town can accomplish for the common good of all.
Many thanks to Ken Kelly and Holly Stover for much of the data used in this column.
Questions/comments: Berkwoodsandwaters@roadrunner.com. Phone: (413) 637-1818