To Mayor Sarno and City officials, 

We, the undersigned residents of Springfield, MA, including members of the Bass Pond Club and other community members who live along or near the water, are deeply concerned about the recurring cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms (HABs) in Bass Pond. For the second summer in a row, cyanobacteria blooms have forced the closure of the pond to recreational use. Last summer marked the first closure in our community’s history, and unfortunately, it has happened again this year. These blooms threaten public health, reduce our quality of recreation, harm local wildlife, and undermine the ecological balance of the pond.

Scientific evidence and our local temperature data indicate that cyanobacteria thrive in stagnant, warm water, conditions that Bass Pond increasingly experiences, with summer water temperatures ranging from 85°F to 92°F. Limited water movement exacerbates the problem, and excess nutrients, likely from nearby sources such as the golf course and stormwater runoff (including multiple road drains that empties directly into the pond), further fuel bloom formation.

We believe the City should take immediate, coordinated action to address these issues by:

Installing aerators to improve water circulation, reduce stagnation, and limit HAB formation.
Repairing or replacing the nonfunctional pump system that draws water from the aquifer into the pond, to support and maintain water levels.
Dredging areas overgrown with invasive phragmites to restore open water habitat, improve circulation, and enhance ecological diversity.
Reduce the Canadian Geese population
Recommend to the Veterans Memorial golf course that lawn pesticides be switched to an organic makeup and/or reduce 40% of pesticide use on all slopes that will drain towards and into the pond. 

Given the City’s ownership of approximately 40% of the pond’s shoreline, and the potential nutrient contributions from City-owned property, including the golf course and storm drains, we respectfully request that the City fund the majority of the purchase, installation, and maintenance of aerators for Bass Pond, as well as fully funding all other action items listed above.

By taking action now, we can protect this cherished natural resource, safeguard public health, and ensure that Bass Pond remains a place for recreation, community connection, and ecological resilience for years to come.

We urge the City to prioritize and begin these projects before next summer.

Signed,