Waltham Land Trust will host a walk and gathering to celebrate expanded public Hardy Pond access

This Saturday, Sept. 27, the Waltham Land Trust will host a 1.5 mile walk along the Hardy Pondside Walkway to celebrate National Public Lands Day. 

Following the walk the WLT will host a party at the Hardy Pond Lakeview Preserve to celebrate their recent acquisition of a new pondside parcel. 

State Sen. Michael J. Barrett, who facilitated a 2025 funding earmark that allowed WLT to make the new purchase as well as improvements to conserved land, will join WLT leaders in sharing remarks. The new acquisition, adjacent to the existing preserve, expands Waltham’s limited public Hardy Pond access.

The existing Lakeview Preserve land was purchased by the WLT from The Giardina Family Trust in 2023. The spot has become a neighborhood favorite for wildflower fans, dog walkers and those seeking a quiet moment at the water’s edge. 

With help from Waltham Land Trust volunteers, local pollinator-favorite flowers like boneset, bee balm, goldenrod and rudbeckia are flourishing at the preserve. The site is home to diverse wildlife like great blue herons and wild rabbits.

Community members interested in joining the 1.5-mile Pondside Walkway stroll should meet at 1:30 p.m. at Lazazzero Playground’s boat ramp at 7 Shore Road.

The ensuing celebration of the new Lakeview Preserve acquisition will take place at 3 p.m. at 153 Lakeview Ave.

Attendees can take the 61 bus to Lake Street at Bowdoin Avenue and walk 0.2 miles to meet at the Lazazzero Playground boat ramp or the 61 bus to Lake Street at Seminole Avenue and walk 0.2 miles to reach 153 Lakeview Ave. 

Alternately, attendees can drive and park at Lazazzero Park on Princeton Avenue or on Shore Road. 

There are no bike racks at Lazazzero Park or the Lakeview Preserve.