The fishing at the Bloomfield Mill Pond used to be a thing of legend. Fishers young and old could cast a line and reel in scores of panfish, bass, and pike all day long.

But not anymore. The annual kids’ fishing derby was cancelled last month — a pretty good indicator that the pond is void of aquatic life.

Jacob Shepard was the top angler at the 2018 Kid’s Fishing Derby held at Bloomfield’s Mill Pond Park. Northern Pike this size and larger were common catches at the Mill Pond until a couple of years ago. (Supplied Photo)

That no fish were caught during the 2023 derby cements that theory.

“A dead pond,” is how one local resident referred to it.

“I’m really concerned about the ability of the pond to retain life,” said Jim Bearfoot “I canoe on the pond and you used to see billions of minnows. Now there are no kingfishers, no fishing and no cormorants coming in.”

The working theory is a beaver dam at the pond’s inflow point near the Quaker Cemetery. Residents at a park improvement meeting held at the Bloomfield Town Hall June 3 believe it has choked off the freshwater flow, leaving the pond uninhabitable.

Revitalizing the pond requires planning. Luckily, that’s exactly what is underway.

The Bloomfield Area Business Association, The Bloomfield/Hallowell Recreation Committee, and the municipality are teaming up to address major accessibility and ecological concerns around the Mill Pond. Around 30 village residents attended the community Open House, where ideas for improving the pond and beautifying its surroundings were presented on poster boards.

Improvements are also coming for the Quaker Cemetery northeast of the park.

The Mill Pond and park are a prime source of recreation for local and visiting families, and have been for decades. Who will ever forget the Bloomfield Breakaway Lip Sync concert of 1988? There are popular municipal tennis courts. A walking path and bench on the south side of the pond are perfect for personal pondering during a sunset.

On the north side, Main Street residents with lots that back onto the pond care greatly about the ecology of this tiny body of water. The Bloomfield Mill Pond Park is a vital feature of the village community.

All that is not to say all is well.

Aside from the stagnant water in the pond itself, the grounds are not easily accessible. A high curb on Mill Street, undulating lawn with no clear pathway, and lack of a pedestrian entrances confuses visitors and makes things difficult for those with strollers or in wheelchairs.

Mill Pond Park can only be accessed by motorists through the parking lot at the end of Brick Street. There is a distinct lack of signage indicating the park’s very existence.

Coming in phases

Park improvements are planned over two phases. Phase 1 engaged a landscape designer. Marc De Leon of JAM Design Workshop unveiled some conceptual drawings at the Open House. Extensive community consultation will inform his final plans.

The current street view from Mill Street and designer Marc De Leon’s more welcoming vision. (Supplied Photo)

A good number of attendees indicated the pond’s eco health and controlling invasive species are of vital importance. Phase 2 will focus on the pond’s ecology — removing invasive species, developing water/soil amendments and considering aerator installations. Quinte Conservation will undertake baseline soil and water testing.

Better access to the park and pond via Mill Street are also part of the plan. Mr. De Leon envisions entrance pathways at the Park’s northern and southern access points. A bridge spanning the pond’s spillway connects new pathways. They lead to the children’s play area and the rest of the park. Landscaping will replace some of the manicured lawn with natural flora. Interpretive signage and a lookout point at the Quaker Cemetery are just some of the plans for the second phase.

Secured Backing

The County has earmarked $80,000 from its Parkland Reserves Fund. With early design work completed and community consultation underway, the project will also be eligible for community grants. In addition to securing local, provincial and federal funding, however, fundraising will be required to see the project through.

By placing coloured dots, villagers at the Mill Pond community meeting indicated restoring the pond’s health was of first importance. (Jason Parks/Gazette Staff)

Sarah Soetens, owner of Flame & Smith, BABA member, and lead park restoration organizer, noted the community initiative is an opportunity for much-needed and -discussed park improvements.

“Today we would like to collect your opinions on this project and see what we can accomplish. I’m not suggesting that everything we hear will be implemented, but hopefully, this is a start to something really great for Bloomfield,” she said.

Designs and further information are available on the County website. Comments welcome at the “Have Your Say” portal.

Despite their very best efforts, these two anglers (and all other participants) were unable to reel in a fish at the 2023 Kids Fishing Derby.(Jason Parks/Gazette Staff)

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