To swim or not to swim?

What about the gigantic snapping turtles

Stephanie Berry looks like another typical "artist type" in the Jamaica Plain area who comes from the "me me me generation". Look at me in my artsy pants with my wife beater tank top and butch cut. Have some respect for the Emerald Necklace that Olmstead created for some peace and serenity in the city. The Arnhold Arboretum is a museum of trees, next you will want to throw a concert there. The Public Garden is just that a garden. Next you will want to get rid of the swan boats so you can have the pleasure of a swim. Or the Fens or Riverway, why don't you go and try to change the concept of those two public spaces? Can't you just deal with some peace and serenity and leave the pond the way it is. It is so clean because it does not have swimmers!!!! Hello!

If you allow and promote swimming at JP pond it would ruin it within months. Maybe every now & then there could be a special event with swimming there but to allow it all the time would not work.

Just keep swimming at night (skinny or not) and leave it at that. What the city doesn't know won't hurt them.

J/k Tom M.

NO swimming!! Obviously the occasional person takes a dip - the story is filled with examples. The police don't swoop down on them, do they? Make it a public beach and it change for the worse: trash, coolers, crowded with people blaring their stupid music and walking around in their suits, blocking the walking/running path. People will park themselves there all day. It will no longer be the pristine place it is now - one of the few in the city.

Look beyond your immediate gratification. Or suggest they build a public pool at the old Kelly Rink or up where the Hancock mansion used to be.

In theory, I'm not opposed to the idea of swimming in the pond, but I'd like to know more about the negative impact of swimming on the pond ecology before making up my mind. It's sure to cause more pollution and more traffic if swimming is officially allowed.

I've lived in JP for almost 20 years and have been a regular visitor to the Pond for even longer. Right now, this small, sparkling jewel is under enormous pressure because there are no longer park rangers to help patrol (those beautiful horses are gone! ) and folks don't seem to understand that the foot path around the pond is just that -- a foot path. It used to be that park rangers stopped anyone on a bicycle or roller blades or scooters and helped direct them to the bike paths. Now, people on bikes zip down the pedestrian paths as they are on a thruway, groups of children race on their bikes or scooters, and walkers, children, leashed dogs, and other, slower park visitors constantly have to be on guard. I have often stopped bikers to let them know that bikes aren't permitted on the pedestrian paths (see the sign in your first picture) and they are genuinely surprised.

Jamaica Pond is a small body of water compared to Walden Pond. Swimming at Walden doesn't affect the nature of most of the Pond, allowing walkers and birdwatchers and folks looking for peace and quiet to co-exist with the swimmers. Such co-existence would be impossible at Jamaica Pond. In these days of declining public moneys, when there aren't even park rangers to help manage the current press of visitors -- or to post signs where park visitors can see them! -- I shudder to think of what would happen to this lovely little park if swimming were permitted.

It would be great if they would allow adults-only swimming at the pond, meaning those ages 18 and up. To allow kids in there would ruin it for everyone with the screaming, crying, constant noise, not to mention irresponsible parents who do not diaper their kids properly. It'll turn into another Walden Pond, which none of the locals will use.

BAD IDEA!!!! Jamaica Pond is 53 ft deep in the center. The legend when I was growing up was that there were hidden springs in the pond. If there was swimming, we would have to worry about human waste and drownings due to drunkeness and other stupid acts. Several people have dorwned in it the last few years

Let's leave this beautiful work of nature as is.

I grew up right across from the Pond and currently live within a block of it. I enjoy peaceful early morning walks throughout the week and serene evening walks on the weekend. I also took sailing lessons on the Pond as a pre-teen. I am very much AGAINST opening the Pond to swimming. There is already is an increase in trash along the paths, and I fear it would only increase if swimming became legal. I'm also GREATLY concerned about the safety and preservation of all the wonderful wildlife who call the Pond their home. With a surge of kids, adults and dogs cluttering the water, loud music blaring from parked cars or portable radios, not to mention food, discreet alcohol and other litter either being left on the path or being tossed carelessly into the Pond (already something of an issue), the wildlife will be placed in greater jeopardy. Noise will skyrocket and traffic will become more of a hazard than it already is near the rotaries. I also fear that petty crime will increase in that area, as thieves and the homeless may be on the lookout for unattended property. This idea of legal swimming is opening a Pandora's box that should otherwise be kept closed.

I would love to swim in Jamaica Pond. I wonder if the water is really clean enough for swimming.

How about a link to Stephanie's blog? I would've expected a link. There's nothing more scintillating than reading an entry on swimming.

I have lived near the Pond for 26 years and recall a few news stories of deaths to illegal swimmers who drowned due to the hidden springs and currents in this very deep pond. I believe that is why swimming is currently forbidden at Jamaica Pond. Seems sensible to have the underwater topography investigated by professionals before taking the idea of public swimming further.

All you people are who want to swim in the Pond are sick!!! To even envision swiming in that sewage makes me almost gag with utter disgust. What is wrong with you people? Even the people in the inner city, who don't have anything other than public pools, won't even TOUCH Jamaica Pond. That should give you an idea about nasty the water is there.

Do you know of how many people I have seen, and may NOT have seen, relieving themselves in the pond? Not to mention the numerous dogs and animals that do the same in there? Do you know how much junk, trash, hyperdermic needles (I know how you JP people do, snorting and shooting up) and other waste is in that pond? The water is dark green/light brown - what does that say about it, people? - its dirty, its dirty, its dirty!
Stay away!

What a bunch of looney tune people not allowing for a swim in a pond. Everyone is so worried about pollution, noisey, children, ect. Its no wounder I moved to NH. They we can enjoy our lakes and pond, but its funny how all the MA people come up to enjoy NH's water ways but its not the same in MA

As a late night visitor to the pond I have had some serious laughs and good times at Jamaica Pond. I think if the pond is open to seasonal swimming it will be a mess. Houghton's Pond in the Blue Hills is a 20 minute drive, swimmers can make the short trip there. Leave the pond alone.

Absolutely a TERRIBLE idea. I live across from the pond and enjoy walking around it often. It is a relatively quiet , clean, safe place to go when you want to un-whined . If you allow people to start swimming there parking will be a major issue, overcrowding and load music will be the norm. It will no longer be a fun calm place for the people who actually live in JP to escape to. Home prices and rents are not exactly cheap the closer you get to the pond and that is partly because of the proximity to the pond. So if you want to drive home prices and rents down, increase petty theft, pollution and noise in the area, then please allow everyone in the city to come to JP pond and I will give my landlord my notice to vacate. I need fire wood for the coming winter maybe I should exploit the resources in the public garden for my needs.

Dont worry about swimming at Jamaica pond if the rich people dont want it which is the case it wont happen . They will let their dogs swim but let poor kids squelter , the use the enviroment as an excuse to repress people . The commiecrats will go along with whatever the rich say , after they shake them down .

My dad lives right across the Jamaciaway from the pond, and I visit it with my 5 year old daughter at least once a month year round.

What the NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) hypocrites who site the "ecology" of the pond are conveniently leaving out is any discussion of the totally non-migratory Canada goose population that does far more harm to the pond than ANY human swimming activity could ever do. As a reporter in Upstate New York during the 90's I did a number of pieces on the ill effects on ponds and lakes nationwide due to increased populations of non-indigenous swans and non-migratory Canada geese.

If you really want to make the pond's ecosystem better, trap the geese and donate their meat to local homeless shelters. Every single one of those excrement factories would make a meal for five homeless people. But the "oh-so-very" animal "loving" elitists would never let that happen.

Face it, to deny swimming in Jamacia Pond on ecological grounds while doing nothing to get rid of the non-migratory geese is pure hypocracy.

I have to respond to cuzinjo's extremely ignorant response. Besides Canadian geese, the Jamaica Pond is home to ducks, swans, turtles, fish, chipmunks, hawks, owls, and, I'm sure, many other creatures I haven't had the pleasure of seeing. You're free to call myself and other opponents of this issue hypocrites, but it's ignorant of YOU to ignore the other obvious negatives to this proposition--increased traffic, noise, crime and litter. This issue is not just relegated to ecological concerns, as you seem to indicate, but they are part and parcel to the countless other problems with this proposition. And the issue isn't even about the geese (maybe you should read the article again?)--it's about allowing throngs of people to descend upon an area which is clearly incapable of sustaining the impact. I also think your idea for eliminating "those excrement factories" is perhaps one of the most ignorant and cruel concepts I've heard in a long time. I'd also like to suggest that you learn how to spell "hypocracy" correctly. It's called Dictionary.com. Funny that a reporter doesn't know how to spell...

No, they should NOT allow swimming in Jamaica Pond!!!! I feel very strongly about this! I must admit, there are a few pros to this idea but many, many more cons!!!
This would not harm only the pond but it may harm the people too. There have been MANY drownings in this lake due to the following things: about 6 feet out, the ground level underneath the water gives a dramatic drop, the currents are crazy and could suck you in, and the hidden springs have an unexpected pull. There is also concern about the animals. First of all, alligators have been known for being dumped in Jamaica Pond more than once, there are snapping turtles, there is a very rare fish in the lake called a koa, and supposedly only 2 remain... and quite frankly, with all the trash it could kill any of these species. Or you never know, the alligators might get you first.
Now, as most people know, the water has been deemed unhealthy to drink. As everybody knows, when you swim at least a substantial amount of water will enter your mouth. Also, have any of you people seen the algae at that place?!?!?!? Not to mention the pollen either!! Theres constantly trash in the water and with swimmers it would increase in the tenfold. Right now its a beloved park where people walk around but it would be turned into a dirty type of beach with trash all around, loud music, coolers and beach chairs, people in bathing suits with screaming little kids, others trying to interact with the wildlife, trying to kill or capture the wild life. Not to mention the increase in traffic and pollution. Its crazy, plain and simple.

I simply do not understand people who believe it will be "ok" for people to swin in JAMAICA POND!!!! IT IS A BELOVED PLACE, SUCH AS A NATIONAL PARK AND IS A TREASURE!!!! IN THE CITY, TOO MUCH IS BEING GRAFFITED, AND I WANT THIS BELOVED POND TO BE SAVED!!!!! As some of people have noted before me that other places will be tuned into something else and one person said that the "Arnold Abouredem is a meuseum of trees, and soon you will want to have a concert there". I totally agree and I think Jamaica Pond allowing swimming is like letting people to run through fenway field while the sox are playing and not doing anything about it. So please people of Boston, do NOT let anyone swim in Jamaica pond!