Fresh Pond Reservation

Fresh Pond Reservation Fresh Pond Reservation: protecting the Cambridge water supply since 1889. Raw water from Fresh Pond is purified at the adjacent Walter J.

Owned and managed by the City of Cambridge

Fresh Pond Reservation consists of 162 acres of open space surrounding and protecting the 155 acre Fresh Pond Reservoir and contains a 2.25 mile loop trail. Fresh Pond Reservoir is a vital part of the drinking water supply system for the City of Cambridge. Fresh Pond is fed by the drinking water system's important upland reservoirs: Hobbs Brook Reservoir

in Lincoln, Lexington, and Waltham, and Stony Brook Reservoir in Weston and Waltham. Sullivan Water Treatment Facility and pumped to Payson Park Reservoir in Belmont. From there it flows back to the city by gravity, providing drinking water to the residents and businesses of Cambridge. Check out more here: https://spark.adobe.com/page/2M2tz/

Where are all the birds?! Don't worry! They're still there. It's just that breeding season is over! In late summer, ther...
08/13/2026

Where are all the birds?! Don't worry! They're still there.

It's just that breeding season is over!

In late summer, there is a lull in birding as they have finished breeding and no longer are singing their territorial breeding songs, families break up as babies leave the nest, and birds are beginning to molt their colorful breeding feathers in favor of a thicker fall migratory coat.

Birds are very vulnerable to predation during this time - they are still there, but they just look a little scraggly and are keeping a low profile. The shorebirds will start migrating soon and birding will pick up in fall.

Find out more here: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/bird-watching-tips-its-summer-where-did-the-birds-go

Join us for the annual Monarch Release event on Sunday, August 23rd from 1-2pm. This completely free event features stor...
08/12/2026

Join us for the annual Monarch Release event on Sunday, August 23rd from 1-2pm. This completely free event features storyteller Yumi Izuyama, crafts by Wildlife Arts, and face painting by FaceArt Face Painting & Events for the kids. Monarch related attire encouraged!

We will meet at 1pm outside the water treatment plant at 250 Fresh Pond Parkway, along the perimeter road. We will head over to Kingsley bowl at 1:45pm for the release.

Learn about how you can help these incredible threatened insects and witness them flying off! Sponsored by the Friends of Fresh Pond Reservation.

Join the Ranger at Fresh Pond Reservation's Weir Meadow for an invasive pulling event on Sunday, August 30th from 10:30a...
08/12/2026

Join the Ranger at Fresh Pond Reservation's Weir Meadow for an invasive pulling event on Sunday, August 30th from 10:30am-12:00 noon!

Join the Fresh Pond Rangers for this community invasive pulling event on Sunday, August 2nd from 3:00-4:30pm at 250 Fres...
07/22/2026

Join the Fresh Pond Rangers for this community invasive pulling event on Sunday, August 2nd from 3:00-4:30pm at 250 Fresh Pond Parkway in Cambridge, MA.

Help us pull invasive Black Swallowwort to protect endangered Monarchs and get ready for the annual Monarch release event at Fresh Pond Reservation!!

This vining plant is a close relative of Milkweed - the sole host plant of the Monarch Butterfly. Adults get confused into laying an egg on Black Swallowwort, which is then doomed to starve and die, because caterpillars can only eat Milkweed.

Wear closed toed shoes and dress for the weather. We will have gloves and bags available as well as tools for digging up the plant! This program meets at the ranger station under the clock tower.

What are those beans on the fenceline? Thanks for asking!We have some questions in return: Do you love the endangered Mo...
07/13/2026

What are those beans on the fenceline? Thanks for asking!

We have some questions in return: Do you love the endangered Monarch Butterfly? Do you regularly walk around Fresh Pond Reservation? Do you want to give back to Fresh Pond and help bolster Monarch populations in an easy, low-investment way?

Help us pull Black Swallowwort seed pods!!

This vining plant is a close relative of Milkweed - the sole host plant of the Monarch Butterfly. Adults get confused into laying an egg on Black Swallowwort, which is then doomed to starve and die, because caterpillars can only eat Milkweed.

If you’re visiting Fresh Pond, use a free dog waste baggie and fill it up on each walk! Become a member of the City’s guerilla “Pod Patrol” and encourage your neighbors to pick pods.

Each pod pulled keeps a dozen more of these plants from sprouting. There are no other plants to confuse it with at the Reservation that produce seed pods like this on our fenceline. Please pull them wherever you see them!

The sap from this plant can be mildly irritating to some folks. Make sure to wash your hands afterwards if not wearing gloves.

Are you interested in volunteering for the annual Moth Ball at Fresh Pond Reservation on Wednesday, July 22 from 7:30-10...
07/12/2026

Are you interested in volunteering for the annual Moth Ball at Fresh Pond Reservation on Wednesday, July 22 from 7:30-10:30pm?

Let the Fresh Pond Rangers know at 617-680-2418 or reach out to Ranger Amanda at [email protected]!

Common Carp are voracious and aggressive omnivores that will snap up anything edible (or not) and easily outcompete nati...
07/07/2026

Common Carp are voracious and aggressive omnivores that will snap up anything edible (or not) and easily outcompete native species. This carp at Little Fresh Pond is eating cottonwood seeds that have landed on the pond!

07/07/2026

Red fox kits are born with grey hair and blue eyes, changing to red fur and amber eyes within a few weeks. They are very playful and energetic - which helps them to learn to hunt, build muscle & coordination, and form social bonds.

You might see these two cuties nearby Little Fresh Pond. If you see a fox kit alone, don't worry! Mother is nearby foraging. But they will avoid their babies if there are people nearby or if they smell human scent, so keep your distance!

Join us on Kingsley Lawn at Fresh Pond on Wednesday, July 22 from 7:30-10:30pm for our third annual Moth Ball event! Fam...
06/28/2026

Join us on Kingsley Lawn at Fresh Pond on Wednesday, July 22 from 7:30-10:30pm for our third annual Moth Ball event! Families can arrive at 6:30pm to work on creative projects.

Enjoy a nighttime festival of art, presentations, science, and, of course, moths. Bring a chair, bug spray, a picnic, and enjoy a starry summer night mothing!

Expect short presentations by local conservation organizations as well as moth traps and photography—all under the stars. Try your hand at taking some moth photos. Learn to ID a moth and submit your data to researchers.

Register for free here! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-2026-cambridge-moth-ball-registration-1991782744807

RAIN DATE July 23. Follow on Instagram for updates.

Learn more: https://www.bostonbirdingfestival.org/posts/moth-ball/

Address

250 Fresh Pond Pkwy
Cambridge, MA
02138

Telephone

+16173496489

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Fresh Pond Reservation posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Fresh Pond Reservation:

Shortcuts

Share