Walden Pond

Walden Pond Accessibility Improvements
DCR Public Meeting

November 19, 2019
Harvey Wheeler Community Center, Concord
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Governor
Charles D. Baker
Lieutenant Governor
Karyn E. Polito
Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary
Kathleen A. Theoharides
Department of Conservation and Recreation Acting Commissioner
Jim Montgomery
DCR Mission Statement
To protect, promote and enhance our
common wealth of natural, cultural
and recreational resources
for the well-being of all.
Maryann Thompson Architects:
Architecture, Prime Consultant Bathhouse
Crosby, Schlessinger, & Smallridge:

Landscape Architects, Prime Consultant Universal Access
BSC Group:
Engineering & Permitting
Peter Jensen and Associates:

Trailbuilding Consultant
Consultant Team
Purpose
Present and obtain public input on:
• Thoreau House Site Trail Accessibility Improvement Project
• Main Beach Accessibility Improvement Project, including the
proposed Boardwalk and Bathhouse
• Proposed project schedules
Agenda
• Overview of Project process and history
• Presentation of the Thoreau House Site Trail Accessibility
Project
• Design progress on the Main Beach Accessibility Improvement
Project
• Open comment period
Tonight’s Meeting
• 2013 DCR Resource Management Plan (RMP) / Visitor Services Master Plan
were prepared to initiate visitor center planning, and make priority
management recommendations for the Reservation.
• Recommendations included improving universal accessibility at Walden Pond,

including the Main Beach and the Thoreau House Site.
• The Walden Pond Main Beach, including the existing bathhouse, does not
comply with state and federal accessibility codes. Prior to the Visitor Center
project, DCR made the commitment to bring the Main Beach and bathhouse
up to these standards.
• January 30, 2019 public meeting reviewed bathhouse and boardwalk concept.
• May 2019 building study evaluated two options:

o renovating of existing bathhouse; and
o constructing a new bathhouse at the plaza level
Accessibility Improvements Background

Thoreau House Site, existing condition
Thoreau House Site Trail Accessibility Improvements

Improve visitor accessibility for all to the Thoreau House Site, a historically
significant location of interest to visitors
• Incorporate Universal Access Design principles
• Meet U.S. Forest Service Trail Accessibility Guidelines
• Maintain the rustic trail experience
• Incorporate elements of interest present in the landscape
Minimize impacts to cultural and natural resources in Walden Pond State

Reservation, a National Historic Landmark
• Use best management practices to improve water quality
• Use best management practices to protect and restore habitat
• Protect archaeological resources
Project Goals
• The project will improve access for all to the Thoreau House Site, from the
Visitor Center crosswalk.
• Three alternatives were assessed. The Woods Path Trail alignment was
selected, primarily due to reduced disturbance to natural and cultural resources.
• The trail will restore the surface of the existing Woods Path trail, and in some
places reduce the overall width.
• The trail will be built to U.S. Forest Service Trail Accessibility Guidelines, with
90% of the trail being 5% longitudinal slope or less.
• Restored areas will be hand-raked to loosen compaction, reseeded with native
understory species and stabilized with on-site woodland duff.
• The restored trail will end at a level landing near the House Site and will provide
interpretive signage.
Process
Site Plan
Schedule
Permitting: November - December 2019
Bid Documents: January 2020
Project Award: End of March 2020
Project Construction: Spring 2020
Trail Opening: Late Summer 2020
Construction Estimate
$450,000 (anticipated construction cost)
The project is funded this fiscal year.
Schedule and Estimate of Probable Cost

Main Beach Universal Accessibility Improvements
Since the 1900s, the east bank of Walden
Pond has been used for water-based
recreation, predominantly for swimming.
1922 map of Walden Pond show recreational

infrastructure including two bath houses, a
boathouse, and two toilets.
1924
1933
Historical Context – Walden Pond Main Beach

1946 1970s

• Provide universally accessible arrival sequence and pathway to the beach
and bathhouse that can be maintained year round.
• Incorporate Universal Design principles that will provide convenience to

all visitors.
• Minimize the length of accessible routes to the greatest extent possible.
• Minimize the visibility of the new pathway from the pond and trails around
Walden Pond.
• Minimize land alteration in Walden Pond State Reservation, a National

Historic Landmark.
Project Goals
Existing Accessibility Issues
The existing entrance is very steeply The cross-slope on the existing plaza Existing stairs are
pitched and not accessible does not meet accessibility requirements unusable
The primary access path down to the Existing ramp does

beach is steeply sloped and not accessible not have a handrail
The existing pavement in other areas is

in poor condition and not accessible

Bathhouse restrooms are on the second Entrances to the restrooms have a step at
level and only accessible by stairs and a the threshold of the doorway
narrow walkway behind the building
Single accessible bathroom doesn’t conform Main bathrooms do not contain any
to current accessibility code in configuration accessible toilet stalls
or quantity

Existing Drainage / Water Quality Issues
Run-off and sediment issues Eroding soils add to run-off sediment Sediment filled catch basin on E-
on E-ramp from road along the E-ramp ramp
Plaza run-off flows

directly into the
beach area and pond
Drainage issues at E-ramp lead to Erosion of the beach at bottom of the

erosion of beach at the base of the steps existing access ramp

Existing rest room areas are not inviting and Existing septic pump station is not designed
have old inefficient fixtures to current DEP Title V regulations

Proposed Site Plan
Site Removals
Landscape Restoration
Site Section/ Elevation
Perspective: Arrival at Walden Street
Perspective: New Bathhouse
Bathhouse Plan
Site Section/ Elevation
Design Character
Perspective: New Bathhouse
Perspective: Main Beach
• Improves accessibility from the main entrance to the Bathhouse, beach
plaza and beach area and realizes DCR's commitment to making Walden
Pond universally accessible to all visitors.
• Takes advantage of project opportunities to improve drainage and erosion

issues site-wide and reduces the impact of park recreational use on Walden
Pond.
• Limits tree removal as much as possible. The project seeks to reuse

existing felled trees to the extent possible on site for building structure and
finishes.
• Fully restores site disturbance to a level of planting variety and abundance

over and above that which presently exists on the heavily used eastern
bank.
• Ensures all species planted are specifically selected to be native to the

upland Kettle Pond plant communities of Massachusetts.
Project Benefits
• Includes 150 new trees to help stabilize the slope, infill open
canopy opportunity areas, and provide a great diversity of tree maturity for
sustained canopy development over time.
• Includes over 1,500 understory shrub and perennial plantings to re-establish

steep slopes and quickly out-compete potential invasive volunteers.
• Installs an additional 0.5 acres of vegetative restoration outside of project

boundary in selected areas around Walden Pond.
• Removes over 2,500 square feet of impervious cover within the natural
resource buffer zone.
• Bathhouse to feature natural materials, plenty of natural lighting and

improved ventilation.
• Building energy use completely offset by existing Photovoltaic (PV) system

behind Visitor Center through the use of energy efficient lighting and building
systems.
Project Benefits
Environmental/Historic
• Wetlands Protection Act (Concord)
• Massachusetts Historical Commission Review
• Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (Natural Heritage &
Endangered Species Program)
• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (U.S. EPA)
Construction
• Building Permit (State Building Inspector)
• Plumbing Permit (State Plumbing Inspector)
• Water Connection (Concord Water and Sewer)
• Electrical Permit (Concord)
• Fire Inspection (Concord Fire Department)
• Access Board review (Massachusetts Architectural Access Board)
• Emergency Access (Concord and Lincoln Fire Departments)
Anticipated Permits
Phase I Construction (New Bathhouse, Associated Landscaping)
Bathhouse Construction: $ 2,350,000
Landscaping: $ 1,475,000
Total: $ 3,825,000
Phase II (Boardwalk, Landscape Restoration)

Construction: $ 4,383,000
Grand total: $8,208,000 (subject to change)
DCR is seeking money through the capital planning process, and

exploring private contributions and grant opportunities.
Preliminary Cost Estimates and Funding

• Public Comment Period
(runs through December 11, 2019)
• Permitting
• Complete universal access and bathhouse design
• Identify project funding
• Design: 12 months (2019-2020)
• Construction two phases:

– Bathhouse and related landscape: 12 months (2020-2021)
– Universally accessible boardwalk and overlook: 12 months
(2021-2022)
Next Steps/ Schedule

Q / A and Discussion
For more information:
DCR Website
• www.mass.gov/dcr/past-public-meetings
If you have comments or suggestions on this project:

Submit online: www.mass.gov/dcr/public-comment
Write: Department of Conservation and Recreation
Office of Public Outreach
251 Causeway Street, Suite 600
Boston, MA 02114
Deadline: Wednesday, December 11, 2019
Note: Public comments submitted to DCR may be posted on the DCR website in their entirety,
and no information, including contact information, will be redacted.
If you wish to subscribe to a DCR general information or Walden Pond

project-related listserv: contact DCR’s Office of Community Relations at 617-
626-4973 or Mass.Parks@state.ma.us.
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Walden Pond Accessibility Improvements

DCR Public Meeting

Crosby, Schlessinger, & Smallridge:

Peter Jensen and Associates:

• Recommendations included improving universal accessibility at Walden Pond,

• May 2019 building study evaluated two options:

Accessibility Improvements Background

Thoreau House Site Trail Accessibility Improvements

Minimize impacts to cultural and natural resources in Walden Pond State

The project is funded this fiscal year.

Schedule and Estimate of Probable Cost

1922 map of Walden Pond show recreational

Historical Context – Walden Pond Main Beach

Historical Context – Walden Pond Main Beach

• Incorporate Universal Design principles that will provide convenience to

• Minimize the length of accessible routes to the greatest extent possible.

• Minimize land alteration in Walden Pond State Reservation, a National

The primary access path down to the Existing ramp does

The existing pavement in other areas is

Existing Accessibility Issues

Existing Accessibility Issues

Plaza run-off flows

Drainage issues at E-ramp lead to Erosion of the beach at bottom of the

Existing Drainage / Water Quality Issues

Existing Drainage / Water Quality Issues

• Takes advantage of project opportunities to improve drainage and erosion

• Limits tree removal as much as possible. The project seeks to reuse

• Fully restores site disturbance to a level of planting variety and abundance

• Ensures all species planted are specifically selected to be native to the

• Includes over 1,500 understory shrub and perennial plantings to re-establish

• Installs an additional 0.5 acres of vegetative restoration outside of project

• Bathhouse to feature natural materials, plenty of natural lighting and

• Building energy use completely offset by existing Photovoltaic (PV) system

Phase II (Boardwalk, Landscape Restoration)

Grand total: $8,208,000 (subject to change)

DCR is seeking money through the capital planning process, and

Preliminary Cost Estimates and Funding

• Complete universal access and bathhouse design

• Identify project funding

• Design: 12 months (2019-2020)

• Construction two phases:

Next Steps/ Schedule

If you have comments or suggestions on this project:

If you wish to subscribe to a DCR general information or Walden Pond

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