Published: 9/24/2016 3:04:18 AM
EASTHAMPTON — Since acquiring Nashawannuck Pond in the 1980s, the city has continually made improvements to the recreation area.
The latest, boat access, was celebrated Thursday by Mayor Karen Cadieux, former mayor Michael Tautznik, other city officials, state Sen. Donald F. Humason Jr., R-Westfield, state Department of Fish and Game Commissioner George N. Peterson Jr. and other state officials.
The access area was constructed by the Department of Fish and Game Office of Fishing and Boating Access. The project cost $91,000 which was funded by the Department of Fish and Game.
The area known as Boathouse Beach previously was eroded and filled with gravel and had been used by the city to dump snow and yard waste.
The boat access area provides parking spaces for four vehicles with trailers and four other vehicles. The area is surrounded with vegetation to prevent erosion. A concrete boat ramp allows patrons to easily use the pond for fishing, kayaking and canoeing.
“The pond provides good fishing for trout, largemouth bass, chain pickerel, black crappie, yellow perch and sunfish,” Cadieux said.
Sue Woodard, an Easthampton resident for more than 15 years who attended Thursday’s event, said she used the area last month when she learned how to kayak.
Brendan Allard of Easthampton passed by the group, carrying his kayak before he placed it in the pond.
“If you build it, they will come,” Humason said.
Caitlin Ashworth can be reached at cashworth@gazettenet.com.