Cook Pond Renovation ready to pay off

According to Fall River Harbormaster Bob Smith, the Cook Pond renovation is almost complete and the facility should be open starting next week if all goes well. A fishing tournament is already scheduled for next weekend.

There is no charge for the fishing pier, and no charge for parking. The only fee is for the use of the boat ramp, and that goes towards maintaining the facility. You can purchase a season pass good at all Fall River city operated boat ramps for $60.00. Otherwise, the daily ramp fee is $5.00.

The renovation is at the very end of Henry Street. Henry Street is off of Laurel Street right in back of the Stop & Shop. The entrance to Henry Street is in back of the strip mall stores.

The project has been years in the making.

The Matthew J. Kuss fishing pier was originally opened in 1973. The Fishing Pier and Boat Ramp were originally initiated and funded through Kuss when he was State Rep and Chair of the Natural Resources Committee. After years of vandalism and disrepair, it was closed to the public.

According to Smith, the Cook Pond rehabilitation was first announced in 2013. Representative Alan Silvia and Senator Mike Rodrigues secured $500,000 for The Dept of Fish & Game to restore the Cook Pond ramp and build a fishing pier. Issues arose however when the state and the city was not interested in paving Henry Street, which was a dirt road.

The finances were about to be lost for the project in 2016 when Smith went to Fall River City Administrator Cathy Ann Viveiros to express his concerns. When Viveiros contacted Mayor Jasiel Correia, he had City Engineer Byron Holmes contact Fish & Game with a written commitment to get Henry street paved as soon as the winter was over. The rest is history.

Smith was clear that this project would not have been possible without the help of Mayor Correia, City Administrator Viveiros, City Engineer Holmes, Senator Rodrigues, Representative Alan Silvia, and director of Fish & Game Jack Sheppard.

As much as the renovation is an asset to Fall River residents, it should also provide an economic boost for the city as well. Between Cook Pond and the South Watuppa Pond, there are already 51 tournaments booked for this season and only one is based in Fall River. The result is a sizeable amount of people from out of town coming into the city. The tournament on the 22nd will bring in about 50 people alone.

If you are interested in season passes or want additional information, you can contact the Fall River  Harbormaster Office at 508-207-7730 or online Fall River Harbormaster

Photos courtesy of Bob Smith.