FOLQ was founded in 1991 by a group of like-minded citizens who recognized how important Lake Quannapowitt is to Wakefield. They sought to mobilize the growing public sentiment that the lake needed to be protected for future generations.
Below you will find notable achievements in our history and the recipients of our Gertrude Spaulding Award for outstanding individual contributions to the lake and its environment.
Notable Achievements
Recent
- Organized, funded, and implemented a fishing line recycling program around the lake
- Provided funding for the Town of Wakefield to install a bioretention rain garden at the north end of the lake for stormwater filtration to improve water quality
- Organized and carried out a multi-year restoration of the walkway and lakeshore garden space in Gertrude Spaulding Park
- Install and maintain a native plant pollinator garden and stair railings at Gertrude Spaulding Park
- Remove approximately 40 trash-bags of litter per year by sponsoring multiple lake cleanup events annually
- Monitor and remove multiple invasive plant species in Colonel Connelly Park and Hall Park every autumn and spring
- Restarted FOLQ’s water quality program and partnered with the Town of Wakefield to bring in SOLitude Lake Management for a summer-long water quality study in 2024
Historic
- Expanded public access to walkway along privately held property at the head of the lake (formerly American Mutual)
- Created Gertrude Spaulding Park at the head of the lake
- Conducted water testing since 1992, measuring, among other things, salt and fertilizer runoff
- Sponsored a renovation of Colonel Connelly Park
- Initiated a goose control program now maintained by the town; continue to monitor monthly goose traffic
- Stopped a crematorium from being installed only feet from the lake
- Initiated a town-sponsored “Lake Committee” to study in depth the threats to water quality in the lake and possible solutions
- Established doggie bag dispensaries at three stations around the lake to minimize animal waste along the shore
Gertrude Spaulding Award Winners
The Gertrude Spaulding Award is given annually to an individual whose efforts have contributed to lake improvements or the preservation and beautification of its surrounding areas. We are immensely grateful to every award winner’s contributions to the jewel of our town.
2024 – Bill Butler
2023 – Laurel Perkins
2022 – Alison Simcox and Doug Heath
2021 – No award
2020 – Jim Scott
2019 – John Anderson
2018 – James Murphy
2017 – Bronwyn Della Volpe
2016 – Cynthia Fitzpatrick
2015 – Bonnie Mace
2014 – Mike Collins
2013 – Al Turco
2012 – Roy Moore
2011 – Meg Michaels
2010 – Mary O’Leary
2009 – Robert McLaughlin and Robert Mitchell
2008 – Tim Green