Officials say people are hacking through fences to access Walden Pond beachfront

Dead-set on enjoying the idyllic views and refreshing waters of Walden Pond, beachgoers are reportedly damaging the shoreline.

Park officials say visitors are pushing their way onto the historic kettle pond’s shores, going so far as to cut or bend through fencing and hack away at plant life in undesignated areas, according to a WBZ report.

Above-average rainfall has raised the pond’s water level and whittled the beach away to about 60 feet long and 15 feet wide. State officials anticipate the shoreline will likely stay underwater until the fall, if not longer. 

The rainfall has led to the closing of nearby beaches due to high bacteria levels, likely leading to an influx of visitors to Walden’s already tight beach space.

“We’ll see folks bring really large, almost pop-up tent type things, tables, hammocks, folks try to bring in grills,” Walden Pond Park Supervisor Lisa Little told WBZ.

Others have taken it further by venturing past the posted “Stay on Trails” signage and leaving damaged trees in their wake.

“Even the trees that are around, you’ll see branches snapped off, where people have tried to stabilize themselves so they don’t slip,” Little told the outlet. “Some people come here and it’s just a swimming hole to them. They don’t realize the significant history.”

The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) said similar behavior began at the pond at the beginning of summer. DCR officials shared a video at the time, expressing frustration over people trampling plants and wildlife habitat in their search for sitting spots.

The DCR asked that visitors venture to other state parks and beaches instead of Walden Pond until the high water levels subside.