Many of us of certain age who grew up in Newton have fond memories of the warming hut at Bulloughs Pond. Unfortunately it was demolished recently. Not used for many years it had fallen into disrepair. According to some of the people taking it down there was significant rot and it would not be in compliance with the ADA. Costs of fixing both, I was told, would be prohibitive. Maybe the city could build a small pavilion on the site with benches where people could sit and enjoy the view. 
Crazy Divers: Men be like...
drivers man be like
Good question Keith, maybe we could ask the ‘mayors-to-be’ if they are available to come up for air from their feuding.
Keith:
That is my hope as well. I was saddened to see it go, but as a skating hut it was unlikely to be used again. It had charm and history, but it wasn’t maintained, and folks were using the deck.
So we move on, as sometimes we have to do. But Bullough’s Pond can be improved by using that concrete platform in a terrific way.
Here are some suggestions:
1) Two or more adirondack chairs, bolted down. The benches around the pond are sparce and uncomfortable.
2) Fix the deck. It is neat to have an overlook on that side of the lake.
3) A picnic table would be terrific in that area. I think the neighbors seem to be objecting, but that really shouldn’t be their choice. It is a public park without any place to sit and eat. I’m not quite sure what they fear.
4) A grassy area around the platform. Looks like that’s already happening.
5) Seats and a chess table.
6) A bench or two, if any of the above doesn’t happen.
7) A pavilion or a pagoda would be great as well.
I’d also remove the light, which doesn’t work and looks ugly.
For those that don’t know it Bullough’s Pond is a mill pond from the 16th century I believe. Hence, Mill Street which runs close. It is what the city hall ponds feed into, and what feeds into cheesecake brook I believe. And it is a hidden jewel and one of the nicest spots in Newtonville.
Why is skating no longer allowed on Bullough’s Pond ?
I used to swim, fish, and skate on Bullough’s in the 60’s. The pond used to freeze over, bonfire, hockey, freestyle, etc. Gradually over the decades, with increased vehicle traffic, the public safety needs for salt and sand leached into the pond from storm drains being fed from roadways and from impervious asphalt run off of new development. This salt content coupled with global warming prevents the formation of surface ice.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
– Charles Caleb Colton
the authenticity of brand Sanders remains; thank you Brenda, see you on the 8th.
I saw many people skating on Bullough’s Pond this past week. This proves that the salt used on the streets does not prevent the pond from freezing. That is a fiction I’ve heard over and over. I’ve lived within view of the pond for 28 years, and I have seen that the pond freezes over whenever it is cold enough. The Bullough’s Pond Association should have maintained the skating hut. They substituted a commemorative medallion, which doesn’t cut it for me.
Leeching of salty water into the pond certainly has contributed to the declining number of days each year when Bullough’s Pond is safe for skating. What a wonderful scene it was back in the day!
I suspect, though, that Climate Change is the main culprit, and that won’t be easily undone despite the new President’s inspiring efforts to rejoin the international fight against global warming.
I skated on Bullough’s Pond as a kid and am saddened it is not allowed anymore, but climate change is indeed making it unsafe. There is a viewing platform on the pond, thanks to fundraising from the Bullough’s Pond Association, I reported on it in my December 2018 newsletter.