Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Pond Stories

[Rachael Shapiro (rachael]

	We here at Ecovillage Ithaca have a wonderful pond that gets a lot of 
action all year round. It is heavily used in the summer for swimming 
and the winter for skating on (including night skating). We have meals 
and potlucks by it, as well as musical events and campfires. We have a 
nice beach and entrance points on two sides. We have an annual "Wimmin 
going swimmin" event-a clothing optional event for girls of all ages 
that has been alot of fun. The clothing optional aspect of the pond has 
had a lot of discussion around it and we have come up with a fairly 
elaborate policy . This deepened into some very interesting talks as 
these controversial topics generally do.  We have had swimming races, 
swim lessons,(someone hired to come and teach the kids)  and 
synchronized swimming performances.
	We have had work parties to clear out the cattails and restore the 
beach. We have harvested the cattails-the early shoots in spring a 
tasty to eat, the flowers can be steamed in early summer. We have an 
annual polar bear swim on Jan.1, that sometimes requires breaking ice 
for those hearty (and crazy) souls who like jumping in, amidst the 
supporting cheers coming from the shoreline.
	The past two years, we have had an intense issue around geese and the 
pond. Before last  season, a pair of geese settled on our little island 
on the pond and once the nest was made and the eggs laid, we found out 
it was illegal to do anything to disturb them. It was actually lots of 
fun to watch the interactions between mama and papa goose and how the 4 
goslings were raised in community but discouraging to deal with the 
huge amounts of poop, We were diluged with emails in the neighborhood 
and there was lots of good learning and research and varying opinions 
about the pond usage. Prior to this season, more elaborate plans with 
netting on the island and attempts to dissuade the mama and papa goose 
from settling in once again. Despite all the odds against them-they 
once again laid eggs on the island and we are expecting a new family to 
emerge in the next week or so. It was meant to be and we are making 
peace with them.
	We have enjoyed seeing how the pond has attracted all kinds of 
birds-ducks, blue herons, and many others. We now have muscrats in the 
pond which has added to its healthy ecology.
	Every spring we are serenaded by spring peepers, near the pond. These 
very tiny frogs ( no bigger than a thumb nail) that have an incredibly 
melodic sound that signals to us that spring is actually coming. every 
year we experience this as a miracle and gift that we have made it 
through another Ithaca winter.
	Every spring, we also witness hundreds of mating toads that 
concentrate in one area of the pond. It is a great event and a learning 
experience for all.
	We have safety guidelines that are posted by the pond and first aid 
and rescue equipment that is stored in a bin by the pond. Sometimes 
there has been noise issues with late night swimmers.
	We have had some issues about how much the pond should be for people 
and recreation and how much should it be like a preserve for wildlife 
for animals and solitude. A decision was made not to build a floating 
raft/diving board (also seen as a safety issue). However, the kids 
spend endless hours building and constructing rafts and paddles that 
leave the pond and area at the end of each day.
	Many summer birthday parties have been held in and by the pond. We 
have a strawberry festival by the pond, corn roasts and watermelon 
feasts.
	The pond here is incredible! It enriches our lives. Our family just 
had a great time (as I asked for their input into this email) 
reminiscing about all the fun the pond has helped to provide.
	I couldn't easily locate our safety guidelines or skinny dipping 
guidelines but could find them if anyone wants to see them.
                Good luck! Rachael
On May 7, 2005, at 11:59 AM, Bambi Rattner wrote:

> Hi All:
>
> I'm a member of Rocky Hill Cohousing in Northampton, Mass.  The 
> community is just being completed this year, and we're considering 
> putting in a pond.  I wrote to this listserv asking people who lived 
> in a community with a pond to give me any feedback they could about 
> how to address safety issues.  People wrote back with terrific tips 
> and ideas, and I was able to bring them back to my committee and use 
> them to help us draw up a safety plan.  Thanks to all!
>
> Now we're ready to bring the idea to the entire community to consense 
> on, and I need to ask one more favor.  Would people who have a pond 
> please write back and let me know what it's been like for your 
> community?  Many of us are really excited about the idea of a pond as 
> a focal point for community gatherings, but it would help so much to 
> hear the experiences of communities that already have a pond.  Thanks!
>
> --Bambi
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