Hidden behind a curtain of overgrowth and dozens of newly planted trees, which will grow to block the views, I strained hard to see the quiet beauty, the cooling, and the restorative energy of the “waters” of Gerow Park’s Warner’s Pond. The Concord residents’ approval for the purchase of the late Mrs. Gerow’s land and creation of Gerow Park was voted on at Town Meeting of 2018, where the verbal and visual slide presentations (with photos and drawings), made by the Town of Concord, established the pond as the major use and prime focus, the “soul” and “focal point” of Gerow Park.
Yet, years from its inception, I’m blocked by overgrown bush and dozens of newly planted trees to see the original focal point. I’m blocked to see the dark cooling waters, the three swans swimming together as if in a ballet, the ducks, the blue heron flying overhead, the Canada geese gliding along the pond in a perfectly straight line, the mirrored image in the pond’s waters of the blue skies, and the soft white billowy clouds. I’m blocked from overgrowth to see the colors of lime and deep greens around the water’s edge, to gaze upon one of the pond’s smaller islands of brilliant green vegetation surrounded by the restful waters — a scene, no doubt, Monet would have been inspired to paint, a scene Monet would have immortalized.
All this, a scene that could be an idyllic setting in France, only three miles from my home.
How can I not speak out when I witness such beauty that has been muffled?
First step: elected officials work together with the community to identify and clear the overgrowth to “free the views” to Gerow Park’s Warner’s Pond. Together we will fulfill the mandate of Article 25 of Town Meeting 2018, and Mrs. Gerow’s wishes.
Mari Weinberg
Hillside Avenue