By Ann Zmudsky
Within the heart of the Popponesset beach community, there exists a freshwater treasure, Deans Pond. This sparkling beauty graces the natural surroundings of a family-oriented community. The pond boasts some fame among locals for being one of the few national freshwater ponds located so closely to the Atlantic Ocean. It has one mile of shoreline and is surrounded by land in private ownership.
Historically, families flocked to the quaint cottages of Popponesset that surrounded Dean’s Pond as early the 1940’s. However, Dean’s Pond offers so much more than historical facts or statistics. Those that have grown up around Deans Pond have been gifted many memories and adventures that have been foundational building blocks to their childhood and adolescence. Perhaps most importantly, these experiences have contributed to who they have become as adults.
Over the years, Dean’s Pond has been a wonderful meeting place for like-minded individuals who enjoy exploring wildlife and engaging in outdoor activities. The walking /hiking path that surrounds the pond offers exploration, solitude, and a respectful study of nature. Its seasonal beauty is revered by the community but also by both local artists and photographers. Family and friends share many memories and stories that tie the community together.
The pond is separated at its midpoint by a picturesque footbridge which offers direct access to some awesome venues such as Popponesset Inn, Popponesset Market Place, and of course to Sandy Beach. In the summer months, the bridge is a busy byway where it provides a haven for residents to catch up with friends. It has been said that many first kisses originated among adolescents at the Dean’s Pond bridge. Young and old have witnessed the presence of “Big Ben”, an enormous friendly snapping turtle who has made his home under the bridge. Big Ben is well fed by his human constituents, but beware, caution reminds those that cross the bridge not to dangle their toes in the pond! His appearance every summer is legendary, and he truly has become the Mascot of Deans Pond.
Deans pond is a vibrant ecosystem for many types of plants and animals. During the hot summer months, the sun shimmers on the pond’s surface and the air becomes filled with the scents of beach roses, honeysuckle, and water lilies. Wild blackberries and blueberries hide amongst the foliage of the pond. On early morning excursions, one may observe deer tracks, fox prints, or a secret viewing of an adorable otter as they walk around the foot path of the pond. The hum of crickets and grasshoppers singing can also be heard. Herons and cormorants as well as other bird life are provided shelter among the cattails and foliage.
Summer stories are shared, often during many recreational activities for both children and adults. Grandparents and parents have the opportunity to teach countless lessons to their children about the secrets of nature, wildlife and fishing. At young ages, children learned how to bait a hook on a simple fishing pole. They practice how to remove a fish from the line and then dutifully return the fish back into the shimmering water. Children learn to readily identify bass, pickerel, sunfish, and perch that the pond nurtures in its currents. Many children are awed and proud by learning how to skip their first stones.
After a long day at the beach, just before having dinner on a neighbor’s deck, Deans Pond would light up! The neighborhood children would man their rowboats, paddle boats, and even their homemade custom rafts and fearlessly head out to the center of the pond. They fantasized about being pirates conquering invisible foes while nearby sun turtles warmed themselves on the bank before sunset. Although Deans Pond didn’t offer a venue to swim or bathe, there were times when rowboats were deliberately rocked just a little bit too hard causing a youngster to topple over into the waters. Laughter from the “pirates” would be heard echoing along the shores of the pond as they pulled their friend safely back onboard.
Often early in the morning, small troops of children would engage on “secret” missions to seek out the gems provided by Dean’s Pond. Delighting in squishing their toes into the muddy bottom, children would enter the pond with nets in hand. Tadpoles were scooped up and frogs would be temporarily captured before taking a giant leap out of trembling cupped hands. For those who dared, a few baby garter snakes might end up for a time in a pants pocket before they shared the frogs’ fate. On fortunate days, the water was so clear that you could see to the bottom of the pond where your eyes could track snapping turtles, fish and a variety of water plants.
The beginning of autumn would bring back the giant blue and purple dragonflies that skim and circle the pond’s surface. The coldness deepens the waters color to a sapphire blue. Slowly the bright and vivid colors of the foliage that boarder the pond become brilliantly flamed and the season of Fall is underway on Deans Pond. The herons move on, and the turtles and frogs begin to ease into the muddy bottom. The Canada geese return in great numbers to enjoy the coolness and bounty of the pond. Volunteers begin to cleanup around the pond, row boats and kayaks that rested on the banks are returned to their sheds until spring.
Autumn transitions into winter in a quiet and peaceful trance. The winter brings a particular magic to Deans Pond. When the snow falls, the bushes around the pond appear sprinkled with powdered sugar. The ice on the pond glistens like diamonds sparkling in the sunlight. Although less busy, Deans Pond still offers a variety of rich and natural experiences.
As the temperatures freeze, the pond provides a smooth surface for ice skating and ice fishing. Some families created mini-hockey rinks where children whizzed across the pond on cold winter evenings. Vivid memories arise of fathers tying skates for children who are perched on snowbanks, nursing hot chocolate from their thermoses.
Spring brings on yet another transition with the changing surroundings of Dean’s Pond. Trees sprout, plants bloom, and rain and wind stir the cool waters. Swans, ducks, robins, muskrats, raccoons, and other small animals in the underbrush return in spring to prepare their nests and dens and ready for their offspring along the banks and protective brush that cushions the pond.
Waking up around the pond in the spring offers a meditative experience. The birds begin to sing, frogs are heard croaking, and insects buzz as the wind whispers through the pond’s grasses. Neighbors begin to empty their garages and sheds in an effort for spring cleaning. With that, they begin to ready for the summer by organizing their beach paraphernalia, displaying their patio furniture, and preparing their garden beds. As spring ends, the summer season marks the returned opportunity for many to create new memories that they can enjoy for a lifetime.
Just as the seasons come to an end, so does this story. Those that sit on the benches at the water’s edge on Dean’s Pond are transported back to a simpler and quieter time. Deans Pond is a venue where a sense of community is deepened through tradition, teachable moments, and through observation and stewardship. The pond teaches all to cherish and respect its delicate ecosystem and our relationship towards it. It’s our community’s goal to maintain the beauty and health of Deans Pond so that all may enjoy its natural and untouched beauty for generations to come.
*The Friends of Deans Pond is a nonprofit volunteer-based organization whose purpose is to oversee the wellbeing of our community’s pond.
For more ideas about how to save your pond, go to State of the Waters Action Plan.
And remember, always check with your local conservation office before undertaking any projects around a pond so that you don’t run afoul of local and state wetlands protection regulations.
Pond Stories are a collection of writings and other media from Cape Codders and visitors who love the almost 1,000 local ponds that dot the Cape. We hope this collection of stories awakens your inner environmentalist to think deeper about our human impacts to these unique bodies of water.
Send us your favorite pond photo, story, poem, video, artwork–we want to share with everyone why the Cape’s ponds and lakes are so special! Email your pond connection to [email protected]
