SHREWSBURY – Jordan Pond has an exciting new addition.
In late May, a new ADA-accessible fishing dock opened along the shores of Jordan Pond. The dock, which provides a panoramic view of the body of water, is located on the Ridgeland Road side of the pond. The freshly paved, white-stone structure provides a scenic lookout – and an excellent fishing spot – for visitors.
Though the dock was constructed and paved in about a one-month span, the idea for the project dates back to 2018, when Shrewsbury resident Benjamin Tartaglia, Sr. brought it before the town. On Nov. 13, 2018, the town approved a land-use agreement to allow the dock.
Tartaglia, who used to fish on Jordan Pond with his father, said he’s proud of how his idea was developed.
“That’s a good feeling. … It’s something that outlasts you. It gives some people – particularly maybe elderly people – some hope. … I really liked to fish, and I think it’s great for young people to do. When you’re fishing, you have to watch the bobber. For a few seconds or maybe a minute, you’ve taken a mental vacation. That’s why I like fishing,” he said. “It’s just part of me.”
In 2019, a topographic survey was completed by the state’s Office of Fishing and Boating Access. A preliminary design was then completed in 2020, and the Notice of Intent was filed with the Shrewsbury Conservation Commission in 2022. The town will perform day-to-day maintenance of the structure.
Jordan Pond is located on the west side of Shrewsbury, behind Calvin J. Coolidge Elementary School and minutes away from White City Shopping Center. The pond has a 0.7-mile walking trail, with Jordan Pond Park along the Lakewood Drive side.
