Recent News
Echo Bridge Promenade Closed Pending Temporary Barrier Installation
We have been assured that The Echo Bridge Promenade will remain open during the railing repair process. However, the Promenade was closed on March 17 pending installation of temporary safety barriers. The picture to the right shows how the closure was effected on the Newton side by locked gate. There is a similar barrier on…
Echo Bridge Promenade Closing March 17, 2006
We were informed at the beginning of March, 2006 by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) that Echo Bridge will be closed temporarily to pedestrians beginning March 17, 2006, fast upon the Ides of March. Et tu, MWRA? It is to remain closed for an indeterminate length of time. The reason is safety—the deterioration of…
Echo Bridge to Close to Pedestrians March 15, 2006: MWRA
What follows is the text of a memorandum sent to the Hemlock Gorge Reservation Site Supervisor by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) that Echo Bridge will be closed temporarily to pedestrians. MWRA Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 6, 2006 CONTACTS:Ria Convery, 617-788-1105 [email protected] ECHO BRIDGE CLOSED TO PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC Handrails a danger to…
Stone Building Floor Installed
As announced previously, The Friends of Hemlock Gorge succeeded in our application for a Public-Private Partnership with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). The Friends earmarked $2500 for a new floor and other repairs to the Stone Building, and that amount was matched by the DCR. On February 23, we were notified by the…
Report on the Adelgids and Ladybugs in Hemlock Gorge
Final Report Pseudoscymnus tsugae Release Hemlock Gorge 2001-2005 Background: The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) (formerly the Department of Environmental Management) was approached by the Friends of Hemlock Gorge regarding the possible release of the predatory ladybird beetle (Pseudoscymnus tsugae) for the control of an infestation of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) (Adelges tsugae) at…
2005 Fall Cleanup
On Saturday, November 11, 2005, The Friends of Hemlock Gorge were joined by a goodly number of volunteers to undertake our fall cleanup. The property appeared to be in surprisingly good shape on this gorgeous fall day.
Annual Letter to Members, 2005
As 2005 draws to a close, we again write to update you on the activities of the Friends. In addition, we appeal to you to renew your membership and your personal and financial commitment to our activities in 2006.
State of Infestation
On November 8, 2005 state forester Charlie Burnham contacted the Friends and made the following report on the adelgid infestation: “I was at the Gorge last week and will write up a summary of what I was and have it to you sometime next week. Overall things look good but I have noticed the start…
The Friends Honored by the Green Decade Coalition!
On Thursday, June 16, 2005, The Friends of Hemlock Gorge were recognized with an Environmental Leadership Award by the Green Decade Coalition. Friends’ Webmaster John Mordes had an opportunity to deliver a PowerPoint Presentation about the work of the Friends. Green Decade is an organization of people living or working in Newton and neighboring communities,…
Quinobequin Road News: 2005
Some 12 years age the Friends suggested to the MDC, now the DCR, that something to control off road traffic on the section of Quinobequin road just downriver from Hemlock Gorge would be desirable to prevent vehicles from degrading the riverbank. We initially suggested a wood railing, but later, after hearing from neighbors, we thought…
2005 Spring Cleanup
The Friends and the DCR (formerly the MDC) extend heartfelt thanks to all the many volunteers who helped despite the rainy and cool weather.
The Newton Tab declares the Adelgid Vanquished!
In early April, 2005 the Newton Tab wrote a nice article describing the efforts being made at Hemlock Gorge to thwart the adelgid. Site Supervisor Kevin Hollenbeck was featured. A PDF of the article has been provided.
