Since 2018, great blue herons have nested in Jerry's Pond and successfully raised chicks.

Jerry's Pond Collaborative Visioning Project

In Cambridge MA, Nature has returned to an urban core nestled between the Alewife MBTA station, a parkway, and approximately 4,000 affordable housing residents in the three Rindge Towers and Jefferson Park.

Jerry's Pond is located at the corner of Rindge Avenue and Fresh Pond Parkway (Rte. 16) next to Russell Field in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Jerry's Pond is on the Minuteman Bikeway, glimpsed on the right side of the photograph. There is a walkway beneath Rte. 16 to the Redline Alewife stop on the MBTA.

A red-tailed hawk perches above the fence that separates Russell Field from Jerry's Pond. Across the pond and across Fresh Pond Parkway, the Alewife MBTA station is visible through the trees.

Canada Geese and other waterfowl swim and loaf along the shore. You won't know what's there unless you look. Visitors are rarely disappointed and sometimes patience is rewarded.

Many have commented on the importance of Jerry's Pond for their state of mind when commuting to work and when returning home. There are worse ways to spend a Sunday than riding a bike or a ride on the T to Alewife Station where there are bike racks and a walk around Jerry's Pond.

Jerry's Pond is 9-acres on the south side of a 26-acre industrial brownfield formerly owned by W.R. Grace. The property has been bought by a developer that is now meeting with neighborhoods and the city of Cambridge. Much of the discussions are focused on how to remediate and revitalize Jerry's Pond with increased public access for all.

Shaithea Anusha Alam, Ocean River Institute intern and UMass Lowell student, is working on a survey with youths from the North Cambridge and Soccer Nights communities, via a partnership with Reservoir Church. They are also organizing actions and activities to bring people and diverse groups together around the pond, gather comments of all kinds, and make heard a cacophony of diverse voices calling for conservation and public access to Jerry's Pond.

Your support of the Ocean River Institute will go to fund Anusha's work at $16 an hour. The more money raised the more hours Anusha and perhaps a colleague or two can do the preservation work.

Restoring Jerrys Pond to be a safe accessible park where pollutants and toxins are no longer a concern will take time. Fortunately, folks in the neighborhood, young and not-so-young, are committed to actualizing their visions for Jerrys Pond.

We invite you to join with us in a vital neighborhood-based endeavor. Stop by whenever you're in the area to enjoy Jerry's Pond. With many joining in, little bits will add up to a wonderful park and asset to the community. Thank you for your support.