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  MAY 2026 PROGRAMS

 
MAY 2026 PROGRAMS 
at Fresh Pond Reservation
Offered by the Cambridge Water Department
 
Events at Fresh Pond Reservation are FREE and open to the public. Children are welcome in the company of an adult.
 
Ongoing Volunteer Opportunity: Fresh Pond Stewards
Thursdays through October
10:00 an to 12 :00 noon
Meets at the Volunteer Tool Trailer
Between the Water Department parking lot and the reservior
250 Fresh Pond Parkway
Fresh Pond Reservation, Cambridge
 
April through October, give back to the place you love by becoming one of our volunteer weed warriors! This is a weekly, open opportunity to volunteer. We have the tools, we have the training, we just need the hands! Every week is a different target area and a different task depending on the natural calendar’s seasonal needs. Help us remove invasive plants, restore trails, or plant some trees. Come once, or come every week! For more information contact Ranger Omar at omejia@cambridgeMA.gov
 
Do you have a dedicated group of 10-25 people with at least 1.5-3 hours to give? Reach out to Ranger Amanda at agarms@cambridgeMA.gov to schedule a “Day of Service” group volunteer opportunity.
 
 
Tour of the Walter J. Sullivan Water Purification Facility
Monday, May 4
6:00  to 7:30 pm
Meets at Front Door of the Water Treatment Plant
250 Fresh Pond Parkway
Fresh Pond Reservation, Cambridge
 
Find out how water that falls as rain in the suburbs 10 miles west of Cambridge is transported to Fresh Pond and then tested, treated, and delivered to the City's residents and businesses! Learn about the plant's state-of-the-art technology that keeps our community's tap water clean. You'll have the chance to speak with water treatment staff, see equipment in action, and check out our water quality lab.
Advnce notice required for organized groups of 15+ people.
Questions? Call 617-349-4770
Parking passes available.  Free and open to the public
Future CWD tour dates in 2026: June 1, July13, August 3, September 14, October 5, November 2
 
 
CPL Nature Club: Fresh Pond Nature Walk
(Collins Branch Library)
Monday, May  18
(Next walk: Monday June 29)
10:15 to 11:30 am
Meets at the the Ranger Station (beneath the clock tower)
250 Fresh Pond Parkway, Cambridge
Temporary parking passes provided on request.
     Join us for a relaxing walk of Fresh Pond with Park Ranger Amanda Garms! No two weeks are the same in nature, and Amanda will share her insights about what's growing, changing, and blooming in the neighborhood. This walk is not on a paved path. We will walk on uneven terrain, down hills, and over roots 
    Registration is required HERE . This event can only accommodate a certain number of participants. One registration is good for one person. If you do not register, you cannot participate. Those on the waitlist will be contacted if a space becomes available.
 
 
Spring Guided Nature Walk with Jeff Adams
Sunday, May  24
10:00 am to 12:30 pm
Meets at the the Ranger Station (beneath the clock tower)
250 Fresh Pond Parkway, Cambridge
 
Please join Jeff Adams for a Guided Nature walk at Fresh Pond Reservation. Our focus will be Plant ID on a selection of native species with some non-natives too. We’ll also discuss select natural history, folklore and science. Contact agarms@cambridgema.gov for more information. Register at www.tinyurl.com/FreshPondEvents. Registration caps at 16.
 
 
May Mindfulness Walk with Stephanie Haug
Wednesday, May 27 (an additional walk on Wednesday, May 20 may be announced!)
10:30 am to 12:00 noon
 Meets at the the Ranger Station (beneath the clock tower)
250 Fresh Pond Parkway, Cambridge
 
     Please join Ranger Amanda Garms and Stefanie Haug for a mindfulness oriented nature walk at Fresh Pond Reservation. Step into the quiet magic of the water, woods and wildlife for a gentle guided walk with sensory and meditation practices. Together we’ll breathe deeply, slow down, and observe as we interweave quiet walking with shared reflections and a tea ceremony outdoors. Wear warm, comfortable clothes for a gentle walk with very little elevation. Bring a portable seat, if desired.
     To be held monthly on the last Wednesday. Come once or come every time to deepen your appreciation of the changing of the seasons. 
 Find out more about Stefanie at https://www.stefaniehaug.com
    
 
CPL Nature Club: Spring Bird Watching at Fresh Pond
(O'Neill Branch Library)
Saturday, May 30
10:00  to 11:30  am
 Meets at the the Ranger Station (beneath the clock tower)
250 Fresh Pond Parkway, Cambridge
 
All ages are welcome to join us as we observe birds at Fresh Pond. We will look for birds migrating to or through our area as well as year-round resident birds. As we walk we will discuss general birdwatching tips and learn more about the birds we share our outdoor spaces with. A limited supply of binoculars will be available.
Registration is required for this event: REGISTER HERE
The walk will meet outside the Ranger Station/water department building at Fresh Pond: https://maps.app.goo.gl/G1bJGhMG17mAaFgL9
In case of inclement weather, this event will be canceled.
For more information, contact the O'Neill Branch at 617-349-4023.
 
 
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SAVE THE DATE!
 FRESH POND DAY IS COMING!
 Saturday, June 13
11:00am to 3:00pm
Meets at Fresh Pond Reservation
250 Fresh Pond Parkway, Cambridge
 
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The Reservation's monthly E-mail newsletter has information about upcoming events, news, and what's going on in nature right now, brought to you by the Cambridge Water Department and the Fresh Pond Rangers. 
Our newsletter has moved! If you were previously subscribed to our newsletter, no action is required. However, if you are a new subscriber, please sign up for our city licensed newsletter hosted by Constant Contact at the link above or use the QR code below. 
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***THE RESERVATION IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM DAWN TO DUSK!***
 
The Ranger Station and public restrooms are now open from 7 am to 7 pm.  In addition, portable restrooms are available in the parking lots.
 

For questions about Friends of Fresh Pond Reservation, send an email to friendsoffreshpond@yahoo.com

 DONATIONS FOR THE FRIENDS
Friends of Fresh Pond Reservation is an all-volunteer organization and we rely on contributions to support many of our activities. These include maintaining this website and buying supplies for our conservation work on the Reservation.  We also cover  expenses for the Fresh Pond Ranger Programs, including stipends for  professionals who lead nature programs, live animal displays and live music for Fresh Pond Day, and program materials such as guidebooks and hand lenses.         
 
  If you would like to become a supporter, please mail a check made out to Friends of Fresh Pond Reservation to the address below.  We thank you, and promise to put every penny to good use!
                    Friends of Fresh Pond Reservation
 31 Mount Pleasant Street
     Cambridge MA 02140-2613
 
If you'd prefer to make an electronic donation, please do so via Venmo to @FriendsOfFreshPond by scanning the QR code below. 
 


Learn about growing Native Plants: Visit the website of
GROW NATIVE MASSACHUSETTS

 

You can sign up for the
City of Cambridge's user-friendly and informative

Recycling and Composting Newsletter
by emailing recycle@cambridgema.gov

Also, check out the Recycling Division's Website

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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