The Community Preservation Committee is reviewing a proposal to renovate Levingston Cove with CPA funds at 7pm Tuesday night, May 11. Overall, it looks like an excellent proposal to improve accessibility, remove invasives and prevent erosion at the site, all things that are desperately needed.
The cove is named in memory of area resident Louise Levingston, who took it upon herself to pick up litter and encourage people to enjoy one of Newton’s most wonderful resources** For me, Levingston Cove has been a destination for family walks and a chance to explore the shoreline and interact with nature from the time I was a kid, back when there were more living things in the lake (sadly, I haven’t seen tadpoles there in years!) Earlier presentations made it appear that direct access to the shoreline may be restricted to a few small areas covered with sharp rocks, allowing viewing only from a distance. The latest proposal doesn’t seem as restrictive. Hopefully public access to the shoreline will be preserved, even expanded!
** H/T to Srdj Nedeljkovic who pointed out to me the other day that the standing ordinance from 1929 limits public shoreline access to city-owned areas. The rest is reserved for “abuttors, their guests and servants” All the more reason to make sure the design encourages enjoyment of the lake up close from city owned properties!
It’s also time to do something about the main public beach. All the benches are submerged and are in a miserable state. Why not take down the fence, move the benches up to the grass (or to the dumpster) and open up the entire public shoreline?
Adam- thanks for posting! I am so excited about this project and grateful for everyone who led the charge. All three Ward 6 Councilors have written a letter of support to the CPA. Looking forward to improved accessibility for the Cove.
Though excited about the renewal of the beaches of Crystal Lake, I am fearful of the long-term damage done to the lake’s environment by overuse and abuse. Both Cronin and Levingston Coves need better management and less of a laissez-faire attitude by the city towards park regulation. On another note, if the city continues to tolerate an open swimming beach at Cronin’s Cove, then a porta-potty ought to be placed on-site. I am certain that the neighbors and members of the Crystal Lake Conservancy would agree!
This is a welcome development. Does anyone know what steps have been taken to reduce nutrient loading into the lake? The algae blooms seem to be getting more frequent and worse in recent years. With warmer weather in coming years, that problem could get worse. For example, has there been an effort to engage with the abutters and other nearby neighbors to reduce the use of chemical additives on their properties? How well controlled is storm water runoff int he vicinity of the lake?
Paul’s questions are spot on. Swimmer impacts on water bodies are negligible compared to nutrient run-offs from lawn treatments and the like.
We didn’t have a algae bloom last year because the city added some sort of treatment to the water spring 2020. The treatment is expected to last 25 or so years.
In addition, what they need to do is to tear down the old bath house and build a new one.
That’s the same bath house we used as kids back in the early 1960s when a Crystal Lake Summer Membership was .50 cents for ages 6-17. Now it’s $35.00 Dollars.
Yes. I remember that you could check your valuables in by the main desk, and the raft had a diving board. A decade ago, I believe, we tried to get the city to demolish and replace the old bath house, but support was lacking. Then some of us tried to imagine off-season uses for a new bath house to justify the expense, viewed by city leaders as too high for seasonal use. We conceived of recreational and educational programs after school and at night in the renovated space. Somehow, the efforts petered out.