The Friends of Hemlock Gorge

April 29

On Saturday, April 29, 2006, The Friends of Hemlock Gorge were joined by a goodly number of volunteers to undertake our spring cleanup. We generally thought the property was in excellent shape, but the day revealed many concerns.

There was considerable evidence of active adelgid damage to the hemlocks, and several very stressed trees were noted. We also discovered that the electrical service to the Stone Building is not operating correctly and that the roof is going to need attention soon.

The Friends and the DCR extend heartfelt thanks to all the many volunteers who helped. It was a brilliantly sunny but windy and cool day. The poison ivy was just emerging.

The cleanup crew sets out from Hamilton Place. It was the first cleanup in years not orgainized by Kevin Hollenbeck and Bob Hassett.

Volunteer Bill Tedoldi

Volunteer John Mordes

Volunteer and former Friends' President Vaunita Schnell

Volunteer Tom Humphrey and son Bill from Waban, wearing the 2006 Charles River Cleanup T shirt

Friends Poet Laureate Sarah Hannah and husband Bob with some heavy concrete trash they removed from the riverbank.

Bob and friend by the Stone Building

Just across the boundary of the reservation in Needham: a mansion.

The debris marring the view from the trail was eventually be cleaned up

A weakened hemlock has fallen across the steep part of the Needham side trail

The Ken Newcomb Memorial is in great shape

Some hemlocks looked healthy and free of adelgids

However, there were many trees with evidence of adelgid infestation. We saw no predator ladybutgs.

Only the crown of this weakened hemlock has foliage.

Brian on the new "rustic footbridge." The steps to the bridge are more primitive than rustic.

The roof of the Stone Building is now 17 years old and starting to show its age.

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The wood on the ridge of the roof is lifting.

Brian thanks the volunteers and announces that the Massachusetts House has voted to appropriate $250,000 for repairs to the Echo Bridge Railings.

Brian and volunteers

The volunteer crew enjoys lunch at the end of the morning

Discussing the events of the day

Getting ready to leave after a long morning of hard work

On Saturday, October 21, 2006, The Friends of Hemlock Gorge were joined by a goodly number of volunteers to undertake our spring cleanup. We generally thought the property was in excellent shape, but the day revealed many concerns.

There was less evidence of active adelgid damage to the hemlocks than we expected, and several dead and stressed trees were noted. We also confirmed that the electrical service to the Stone Building is not operating correctly and that the roof is going to need attention soon.

The Girl Scouts volunteered to help.

Something from the dim past. Note the ring anchored into the rock in the center of the photo. It's next to the river. What might it have been used for in the past?

The Charles flowing through the sluiceway and under Route 9. The Friends have proposed stopping the flow of the river here, allowing a dry tunnel and walkway to connect Hemlock Gorge with the Quinobequin Road riverbank.

One dead hemlock in a stand of several healthy ones

The beauty of Hemlock Gorge in the fall

The Silk Mill

Out for a walk on the re-opened Echo Promenade

Walking on the Echo Bridge Promenade on a gorgeous fall day

Families enjoying Hemlock Gorge: what the Friends are all about

The adelgids seem to be under control, but not gone

The grove of trees in which the ladybugs were released in 2001

Looking towards New Pond from the rustic bridge

Lunch in the Stone Building at the end of the Cleanup

The Cleanup Volunteers at the end of the morning

Key organizer: Bonnie Pearson

The Ken Newcomb Memorial and Artists' Point

Brian Yates

So much trash!

Friends' President, Alderman Brian Yates

Webmaster Dr. John Mordes

Finis