Where are the flamingos? Foote’s Pond gets soggy celebration in Morristown

Foote's Pond Wood, May 8, 2021. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
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By Marion Filler

There are no flamingos on Foote’s Pond.

But if you’re lucky, you’ll see a great white egret, frogs and maybe, a massive snapping turtle that rules the placid waters.

Mayor Tim Dougherty got a laugh on Saturday when he revealed he mistook an egret for a flamingo on an award recognizing volunteers Susan and John Landau of The Friends of Foote’s Pond Wood.

Nature lovers in town hall set Dougherty straight: “People are going, ‘Mayor, there are no flamingos at Foote’s Pond!'” he said.

Video: Making a splash at Foote’s Pond:

Local officials and volunteers came out in the rain for a ribbon-cutting to celebrate years of collaboration that have transformed the pond into a 24-acre refuge, with nearly a mile of leafy trails and serene vistas, just blocks from the busy downtown.

Hydro-raking underwritten by the town removed silt and vegetation choking the pond. In 2019, the town pitched in with the Morris County Preservation Trust and the state Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Acres Program to buy 11 acres from the adjacent Loyola Jesuit Retreat, expanding the park.

Mayor Dougherty presents award to volunteers John and Susan Landau at Foote’s Pond, May 8, 2021. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Dougherty, a Democrat running for a fourth term, had kudos for town Engineer Anthony DeVizio and Environmental Commissioner Maureen Denman, and he tossed in a good-natured barb to former Mayor Jay Delaney Jr., a Republican.

“He started the project all the way back in prehistoric days with the Dodge Foundation,” said Dougherty, standing near a granite plaque at the James Street entrance that commemorates the Foundation’s contribution to the park: Footbridges, docks and a large stone fireplace.

But the stars of the morning were the Landaus, who live across the street. The couple spearheaded the grassroots movement to clean up the woods and refurbish the pond.

When they moved to James Street several years ago, Susan Landau said, the pond area was overgrown, full of debris, brush, and impenetrable brambles.

“You couldn’t see the pond from the street,” she said. “There wasn’t the funding or wherewithal for maintenance.”

So they did something about it.

“The space was not usable,” recounted John Landau. “It was full of trash and thorns. So, we started chopping thorns, and we got people in town to start chopping thorns as well.”

They also brought in an invasive plant expert. “He diagnosed everything and we took the plan to the town,” Susan Landau said.

“It’s a huge collaboration and a wonderful working relationship… The town has been unbelievable,” said Landau, citing funding for trails and new sidewalks to allow greater public access. She is grateful for the $2.1 million acquisition of the Loyola property, which otherwise might have been developed.

Meadows that were disturbed by heavy hydro rakes have been planted with grasses and wildflowers, and volunteers have worked to replace invasive species with plants that will contribute to the pond’s health.

Denman described how the pond retains runoff from Route 202, the Spring Brook Country Club, and residential development. Sediment and waste have accumulated for years.

According to her research, the pond was not man-made as had been thought. A natural body of water existed on the property when it was purchased by the Foote family in the mid-19th century, she said. The Footes donated it to Morristown in 1940.

Mayor Tim Dougherty cuts ribbon at Foote’s Pond, May 8, 2021. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

She said she has spent the last dozen years seeking a remedy for the neglected land, and credited DeVizio with “making everything important happen” — including mapping the property with the help of drones.

“We were able to get our full wish list done,” said DeVizio, describing extensive hydro-raking of the pond.

Experts calculated it took 40 to 50 years for the pond to reach it prior condition, DeVizio said. He hopes another raking won’t be needed for a long while.

“We’ll just have to keep an eye on it,” he said. “It’s a management process.”

Noticeably absent from the festivities: Former Councilwoman Alison Deeb, who lobbied on behalf of Foote’s Pond for years.

Deeb said she was not invited. Long active in Republican circles, she told Morristown Green she has moved on, and now represents the Whippany River Watershed Action Committee.

“No more politics for me,” Deeb said.

Kevin Coughlin contributed to this report.

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2 COMMENTS

  1. The Friends of Foote’s Pond Wood has a web site with links to how you can volunteer or contact the Friends for more information.

  2. Since the project adjoins Morris Township and Township residents gain as much or more benefits from Morristown’s efforts, wouldn’t be nice if they could do something similar for Town residents living in areas abutting the township line, especially on Ridgedale and Martin Luther King Avenues.

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