Since 1956, the scenic pond on Wells Road has been open to the public for fishing, picnicking, bird-watching and assorted social gatherings thanks to the generosity of Allen and Carol Christensen, who own the property. The pond has never had an identifying sign, until now.
In one of his last acts before retirement, UPS driver Ray Haack took it upon himself to start a fund-raising campaign to rectify this omission. In addition to mentioning his idea to some of his longtime UPS customers, he contacted American Legion’s Adjutant Bill De Nio to see if they would consider making a donation. De Nio invited Haack to speak at a pancake breakfast. Flyers were printed. Anna Sogliuzzo posted on Facebook.
The result of the campaign was more than sufficient for Granby’s Belmeade Signs to craft and install the sign, which was beautifully painted by local artist Anne Winsor. A ceremony was held on April 21 at the pond.
Christensen’s Pond wasn’t always there. In the 1955 flood, whole trees were washed downstream in Salmon Brook and ended up jammed against the small wooden bridge on Wells Road. The brook flowed around the blockage and flooded the fields. In 1956, Allen’s dad Stanley dug the pond and opened it to the brook to handle any future overflows.
Future heavy rainstorms caused silt to wash into the pond, which had to be dug out every couple of years. To solve that inconvenience, the dike was built and a large pipe allowed excess water to drain into the pond. Unfortunately, high water levels would eventually wash out most of the dike, and after several years of re-building it, Allen finally gave up. The pond is now a bit larger than the original.
As Fire Chief for 18 years, and later Fire Marshal, Stanley Christensen must have had a connection with the State Department of Fisheries because when salmon were being re-introduced into the state’s ponds, Christensen’s was stocked. That has continued to this very year, although the fish stocked now are more often trout.
On April 21, a large crowd gathered at the pond to celebrate the sign’s installation. In addition to Allen and Carol’s family members, Haack, Winsor and Art and Lars Roti of Belmeade Signs, many Legionnaires and fire personnel (current and retired) were present. In honor of Allen’s many years as Fire Chief, a fire truck arrived at the pond to join the celebration.
Donations are still coming in to American Legion Post 182, and Carol notes that any excess after expenses will be donated to the town for the purpose of installing more benches along the new walkway at Salmon Brook Park.