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🌊 Exciting News, Natick! A New Floating Boardwalk is Coming to Pickerel Pond!

Have you ever hiked at Pickerel Pond and wished you could walk straight across the water instead of just staring at the trail system on the opposite bank? We have great news! The Town is moving forward with installation a brand-new floating trail across the water to connect the two main hiking trail systems.

UPDATE (7/22/26) -- After completing the bidding process, awarding the contract and securing materials, work is estimated to begin in late August 2026

📌 PROJECT BASICS

📍 LOCATION: Pickerel Pond / Sunkaway Conservation area in Natick, MA (connecting the Oakdale neighborhood and Wethersfield neighborhood).

📏 SIZE: The floating bridge is 195 feet long—that’s as long as 13 cars parked end-to-end! The path is nearly 5 feet wide with handrails on both sides, giving plenty of space to walk safely.

🛠️ MATERIALS: High-density EZ Dock floating panels that rest on top of the water, strong aluminum safety handrails, and wooden stairs anchored into the hillside.

⚓ HOW IT STAYS IN PLACE: Heavy 200-pound pyramid anchors rest point down on the muddy pond bottom. They keep the boardwalk steady while allowing it to gently rise and fall when rain changes the water level.

🌱 PLANTS & WILDLIFE: Over 180 new native plants (like lowbush blueberries, sweet pepperbush, and dogwood) will be planted to restore disturbed areas and give local wildlife a happier home.

💰 COST & FUNDING: Paid for by a grant (Land and Water Conservation Fund) and existing mitigation funds for off-road connectivity available to the Town. Choosing a floating boardwalk saved taxpayers over $200,000 compared to building a heavy wooden bridge!

WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT

➤ Beaver Spotting! 🦫 Get a front-row view of real beaver lodges and cool wetland trees like the Atlantic White Cedar.
➤ Connecting residents: Connecting 2 major neighborhoods north of Route 9 allows for families to connect without needing to drive!
➤ Safe for Nature: Floating on top of the water means construction won't disturb wildlife habitats or disturb vegetation root systems in the pond!

Estimated completion = September 30th, 2026*

* subject to change

Learn more about the project: https://bit.ly/pickerel-pond-connector