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Newton Park and Conservation Lands
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Dolan Pond Conservation Area |
LOCATION: West Newton
Newton Conservators trail map (Buy a copy of our trail guide)
Location
and driving directions on Google Maps for entrances at:
Webster Park Road Auburndale Avenue Stratford Road
MBTA: A 10 minute walk from West Newton, which is served by commuter rail and many bus lines.
Other maps and aerial
photos: Newton Assessor Bing
SIZE: 8 acres
LONGEST WALK : 0.4 miles
ACQUIRED: 1979 and 2004
OFFICIAL WEBSITE: Conservation
Commission
FEATURES:
This is a wetlands area traversed by paths,
boardwalks, and foot bridges. There are four small ponds in all.
Walking, bird watching, nature study, and ice skating. A biodiversity
study in 2000 found 120 plant, animal, and insect varieties. Red
maple swamp with netted chain fern, round-leaved sundew, swamp milkweed,
poison sumac, and cotton grass abound. Birdwatchers have spotted
over 130 species of birds near Dolan Pond.
 ACCESSIBILITY:
The boardwalk and trail system is wheelchair-accessible.
HISTORY:
The western part was owned by Charles Dolan.
The eastern end of Quinn Pond (Secret Pond) was owned by Catherine
Quinn. The area was at one time slated for housing plots.
| 1979 |
The City took
by eminent domain the privately owned portions with partial
reimbursement from state self-help funds.
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| 2003 |
Installation of
new wheelchair-accessible paths and boardwalks. |
| 2004-7 |
Community Preservation Act funds used to acquire additional land from the Forte estate to be added to the park; CPA funds also used to support work by Habitat for Humanity to rehabilitate the Forte home and build additional affordable housing . |
ADVOCATES & CARETAKERS:
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Nature at Dolan Pond
Acquisition of Forte property:
History of acquisition
November 2003 update
May 2004 update
Hidden Gem of West Newton (Fall 2017 Newsletter article)
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