“Let men tread gently through nature.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

“I love Nature partly because she is not man, but a retreat from him.”
~ Henry David Thoreau

“Nature makes no noise... there is an essential and unexplored harmony in them.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

"The silence sings. It is musical. I remember a night when it was audible. I heard the unspeakable" ~ Henry David Thoreau

As evidenced by the quotes above, Henry David Thoreau frequently wrote about the connection between quietude and nature, emphasizing their importance for both physical and mental well-being. He believed that spending time in nature, particularly in solitude, could offer a profound sense of peace and clarity. He saw nature as a source of inspiration and a way to escape the "quiet desperation" of a life disconnected from the natural world.

We who are signing this petition (from a plethora of different backgrounds and ethnicities), who frequent and love Walden Pond, come to the pond for the same reason that Thoreau did, to find peace and commune with nature. However, it’s increasingly becoming a challenge to do that due to an influx of people using audio devices.

Music and other electronic noise coming from audio devices is different than other kinds of noise such as the occasional yelling and talking because of its persistent nature and the fact that people often play music at high volumes. Walden Pond is not a beach where you can walk 20 feet and escape noise coming from audio equipment. The ocean waves are also not there to drown out the noise. Rather, Walden Pond is an intimate and enclosed environment with unique acoustics which amplify sound. The echoing at Walden Pond is primarily due to its unique bowl shape and the surrounding landscape. The steep, bowl-like basin of the pond, coupled with the relatively close proximity of wooded hills and trees, creates an environment where sound waves can easily bounce off surfaces and return to the listener, resulting in noticeable echoes.

Thus, when someone plays music from an audio device, they are monopolizing the airspace and forcing others to listen to their music. This is also unfair to others seated nearby who might want to play different music but can’t hear their music because it’s competing with noise coming from other audio devices. If no one is allowed to use audio devices, it restores an even playing field to the air space and no one will be forced to listen to something that they don’t want to listen to. Thus, EVERONE will be able to enjoy the reservation, not just those using audio devices. Those that want to use audio devices can use headphones.

For this reason, we are asking for a ban on using noise producing/audio devices at Walden Pond State Reservation and we are asking for signage to be posted that states “No Audio Devices Allowed”. Noise levels of all kinds have increased due to an increase in visitors at the park. While it’s impossible to control all the noise at the park, disallowing audio devices is a reasonable action that can be taken to reduce noise levels.

In fact, a rule disallowing audio devices already exists in the Department of Conservation and Recreation, Parks and Recreation Rules (www.mass.gov). It states:

“(28) Special Use Permit Required. Unless authorized by a special use permit issued in accordance with 302 CMR 12.17(2), no person may: (a) Consume, possess, distribute, sell or drink alcoholic beverages; (b) Engage in any lotteries, raffles, gambling and games of chance; (c) Conduct any commercial use activity or event; (d) Possess machinery, instruments or equipment of any kind for the use of conducting lotteries, raffles, gambling and games of chance; (e) Operate or use any audio device, including radio, television, musical instruments, or other noise producing devices, such as electrical generators, or equipment driven by motor or engine, in a manner or at such times that may disturb others.”

We are creating this petition because a substantial number of us are being disturbed by music and other noise being broadcast on audio devices on a regular basis when we visit the pond, and we are finding little recourse. It’s uncomfortable for people who are being disturbed by electronic noise to approach those that are using audio devices to ask them to turn it down or off. Often, the people playing music turn the music down and then after a few minutes turn it back up again or are defiant, refuse and turn the music up even louder. Therefore, this situation is setting up potential for conflict. We realize that it’s difficult to enforce rules at the park and that there are limited staff. Many park rangers we’ve spoken to are also frustrated by noise blasted from audio devices and their limited tools for reducing instances of disturbance caused by audio devices. Therefore, we are asking that signage be posted stating “Use of Audio Devices Prohibited” or “No Audio Devices Allowed” where other signage stating, “No dogs allowed”, “No biking allowed” and “No Running Allowed” are posted. While there occasionally are still people who bring dogs, run and bike at Walden Pond, signage helps to deter that behavior and if someone is using an audio device, the person being disturbed can at least reference the signage posted.

Furthermore, Walden Pond is also a refuge for wildlife who are affected by noise. There are numerous studies on the negative effects of man-made noise both to humans and to wildlife.

From the National Park Service:

“In the wild, the ability to hear is so important for survival that no deaf vertebrate species are known to exist. In addition to producing sounds for communication, animals continuously detect sounds, even when they are asleep. Losing the ability to hear those sounds because of inappropriate or excessive noise can have serious consequences. It may mean missing the footfall of a predator or failure to adequately compare songs from potential mates. Appropriate soundscapes are important for animal communication, territory establishment, courtship and mating, nurturing young, and effective use of habitat. Scientific studies have shown that wildlife can be adversely affected by high levels of noise. Although the severity of the impacts varies depending on the species being studied and other conditions, research has found that wildlife can suffer adverse physiological and behavioral changes from noise and other human disturbances. When these effects are combined with the other sources of stress experienced by wildlife such as winter weather, disease, insect harassment, and food shortages, noise can have important implications for the health and vitality of wildlife populations within a park. By protecting the integrity of park soundscapes, creatures big and small have a better chance of reproduction and survival in the wild.” www.nps.gov

We who are signing this petition want Walden Pond to be restored as much as possible to a place where we can come to find peace, calm and bathe in natural surroundings. This was Henry David Thoreau’s philosophy and his original intent for the pond. We are asking that you honor this by disallowing audio devices at Walden State Reservation and by posting signage that states this. We are grateful for the work the Massachusetts DCR does to protect and maintain our state’s natural assets and ensure that everyone who attends Walden State Reservation has a positive experience. By enacting a ban on audio devices and posting signage to enforce it, everyone, not just those using audio devices, will have a better chance of enjoying their experience at the pond. The signage that we are requesting is especially needed due to the increased number of visitors using audio devices at the pond, the persistent nature of the noise coming from these devices, the limited recourse for those who do not want to listen to these devices, and the unique acoustic environment at the pond which amplifies sound. By signing this petition, residents of Massachusetts and Walden Pond visitors are stating their support for the above statement, for a ban on audio devices and for signage to be posted stating the ban.