16 Years Ago
On this day in 2010, the citizens of Golden were enjoying their traditional 4th of July celebration in Lions Park. At that time, the focal point of the park was a large pond. In summertime, children fished in the pond. In wintertime, they used it for ice skating.
The pond was fairly shallow and the surrounding trees and lawn—well-irrigated and well-fertilized—kept it supplied with sunlight and nutrients. It was, in short, a perfect breeding ground for algae.
The parks department had an ongoing battle with the algae. The July 31, 1984 Golden Transcript outlined the situation:
...the pond at Lions Park is a problem and one that is drawing attention at the present. The department will probably try and control the weed and algae in it with a chemical spray.
In addition, staff recommended "a fountain or device that keeps carbon dioxide from spreading the algae." The aeration devices were installed, and they helped considerably.
The City filled in the pond in 2012. In the end, it wasn't algae that made the water intolerable, it was e-coli. The pond was overrun by geese. Their droppings made the grass unwalkable and the water a significant health hazard.
Enjoy today's algae and e-coli-free 4th of July celebration!
