To State and Local Officials representing Concord, MA: 
 
We, the undersigned, believe that Thoreau’s Walden Pond/Walden Woods should be afforded the highest level of protection for its global environmental and cultural significance and for its designation by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of America’s Eleven Most Endangered Historic Places.  Unwavering stewardship and visionary leadership must guide decision-makers and stakeholders. Together, we can ensure that the former Concord landfill, bordering Walden Pond State Reservation, is protected in perpetuity.  We urge you to support the implementation of a binding Conservation Restriction over the 35-acre former landfill site.  Such a restriction would preclude development and other types of use inconsistent with the preservation of Walden Pond and Walden Woods. 

Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to The Walden Woods Project, which is leading the fight to preserve the land and conservation legacy of Thoreau for future generations: https://walden.networkforgood.com/projects/41837-walden-woods-project

Note of Importance:

The Walden Woods Project’s highest conservation priority is the 35-acre site of the former Concord landfill. Note its proximity to Thoreau’s Walden Pond. The landfill lies in the heart of historic Walden Woods – a National Historic Landmark and recently designated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of America’s Eleven Most Endangered Historic Places

The landfill is located on the border of Walden Pond State Reservation (WPSR), a state park owned and managed by the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation. WPSR receives 600,000 visitors a year from throughout the world. It was recently chosen as Massachusetts’ favorite state park.

HISTORY: In 1958, amidst local controversy, the Concord landfill was built on land close to Walden Pond. At the time it was opened, it was expected to be a temporary landfill with the goal of restoring the area to its natural condition. Now, 66 years later, the landfill remains and has been expanded numerous times.

In 1994, the Walden Woods Project successfully advocated for the permanent closure of the landfill. However, it is still used for a variety of municipal purposes. While some of these purposes (such as solar panels) are essential, the fact that there are no restrictions in place limiting development of the site could lead to massive commercial development at some point in the future. Our goal is to prevent this from happening as it would have profound and permanent negative impacts on the ecological and historic integrity of Walden Pond and Walden Woods.

Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to The Walden Woods Project, which is leading the fight to preserve the land and conservation legacy of Thoreau for future generations: https://walden.networkforgood.com/projects/41837-walden-woods-project