- Harvesting - Cutting, mowing, raking, hand-pulling, or skimming unwanted plants from the pond. Skimmers could gather the algae near the waterfall. Then the force of water could carry it over the falls into a catchment and collect it.
- Drawdown - Partial draining of pond to expose shallow bottom to freezing temperatures during winter.
- Dredging - Removing accumulated sediment and organic debris to restore pond's original deeper condition.
No resident in Croton asked for this motor. Nobody who lives near the pond wants this intrusion. It's expensive for taxpayers, disruptive to daily life, and harmful to the natural environment we all value.
This is a permanent decision that will affect our community for decades. Village leadership is moving forward without a clear understanding of how this process got started. The only information we have is that one resident asked about the algae at one time in 2022. It's not too late to change course!
Our community deserves a clear explanation of what problem this motor is supposed to solve. Before we can evaluate any solution, we need to understand: is there actually a problem that requires intervention?
If it turns out that algae reduction is a high-priority project, then there are proven, beautiful alternatives worth exploring: natural aeration through multi-step waterfalls, or eco-friendly algae suppression using barley straw floats. These approaches could enhance our pond rather than industrialize it.
Let's reset this process and start with the fundamental questions our neighbors should have been asked from the beginning:
What exactly is the problem? Who is most affected? And what solution would work best for our entire community?
Join us in demanding a transparent, community-centered approach to caring for our pond.
What “quiet parkland” sounds like
with a commercial compressor running.
Click to play the 24/7 motor sound
What You're Hearing
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This is an actual recording of the Compressor Motor at Duck Pond.
A noisy compressor motor running 24 hours a day at Kaplan's Pond!?
What is happening to stop this?
Kaplan's Pond in fall - a peaceful spot with calm water, trees, and grass where families come to enjoy the quiet.
Consultant says the compressor motor system will be no louder than a dishwasher.
Who wants a dishwasher running in a tranquil park at 4 AM? Answer: nobody.
So how much will this cost taxpayers?
$4,000 initial cost. $9,100 dollars/yr. Forever:
$6,400/year aeration system, $2,700/year estimated electric usage for 24/7 motors.
Add your voice
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Your neighbors need to hear from YOU! Village officials listen when residents speak up. Choose any message below that resonates with you—just click to copy it, then paste into a new email to the village manager and board. It takes 2 minutes and makes a real difference.
Read an Actual Email about this topic
Actual Email sent to the Board July 18, 2025
Dear Village Manager and Board of Trustees,
I live adjacent to Kaplan's Pond and respectfully request that the Village halt construction of the new aeration system until nearby residents can review the plan and explore alternatives.
Key concerns
Visual impact on parkland
The already-installed 5 × 10 ft mounting tower, electrical panel, and planned compressor housing block one of the park's few open vistas and encroach on public green space. Please visit the park and see the current construction to understand the visual impact (with the planned vegetation coverage the view will be blocked even more).
Noise impact on the neighborhood
The design requires 12 aerators driven by a compressor four times larger than the 24/7 unit at Duck Pond park, which already measures about 70 dB (the sound level where you feel like you want to move away from the sound to have a conversation) and is audible 150 ft away—even over highway noise.
A larger, continuously operating compressor would erode the pond's tranquility and depress surrounding property values.
Requested actions
- Issue an immediate work stoppage to allow for public input.
- Share the engineering and environmental analyses that informed the current design.
- Evaluate quieter, less obtrusive algae-control methods—such as targeted pond-weed treatment—together with residents and local experts.
A brief pause now will safeguard the park's character and the neighborhood's quality of life while still meeting algae-suppression goals.
Please contact me at this email or on my cell phone below.
Thank you.
Respectfully,
Daniel Cummings
Kaplan's Pond Neighbor
What about Duck Pond? There is an aerator at Duck Pond park and it works well, right?
Actually, no. The Duck Pond aerator system is currently not working to clear algae from the pond.
Duck Pond Aerator System Is Not Working
A walking survey conducted on July 21, 2025 revealed that the existing aerator system at Duck Pond is not controlling algae growth. Despite three active aerators (aka bubblers) running continuously, approximately 1/2 acre of algae coverage was observed on the 2-acre pond—with large algae blooms sitting directly next to all three aerators.
Even with aerators at Duck Pond Park - large algae blooms persist right next to the bubblers.
This shows that aerator systems may not be an effective solution. Installing an even larger, noisier system at Kaplan's Pond risks creating the same results while compromising the area's tranquility.
Fortunately, there are proven alternatives that work without industrial noise:
Physical Control of Algae (No Noisy 24-Hour Motor Required)
Other Alternatives
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Several noise-free alternatives to aeration for algae control (with references)
- Barley straw mesh-bag bales float; as straw slowly decays it releases natural compounds that block new algae growth (best applied early season). https://extension.psu.edu/barley-straw-for-algae-control
- Beneficial bacteria ("pond probiotics") regular doses of live microbes digest excess nutrients and muck, starving algae of nitrogen & phosphorus. https://www.solitudelakemanagement.com/use-beneficial-bacteria-to-bring-balance-to-your-lake-or-pond/
- Floating treatment wetland islands buoyant rafts of native plants; roots and attached biofilm pull phosphorus & nitrogen from the water column. https://princetonhydro.com/install-floating-wetland-islands/
- Ultrasonic algae control submerged transducer emits high-frequency waves that rupture algal cells, clearing blooms without chemicals or audible sound. https://www.lgsonic.com/ultrasonic-algae-control/
- Pond dye (blue/black tint) food-grade colorant shades the water, limiting sunlight so algae can't photosynthesize and reproduce. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/using_aquatic_dyes_in_ponds
- Phosphorus binding (Alum / Phoslock®) liquid or slurry binds soluble phosphate into inert minerals that settle, removing algae's key nutrient for years. https://www.solitudelakemanagement.com/phosphorus-locking-technologies-phoslock-and-alum-nutrient-remediation/
- Nanobubble aeration quiet shore pump injects microscopic bubbles that stay suspended, super-oxygenate water, oxidize nutrients, and deter algae. https://www.moleaer.com/case-study-private-trout-pond-wisconsin
- Manual rake/skimmer removal physically lift out filamentous mats to cut biomass before it decays and recycles nutrients; completely silent but labor-intensive. https://aquaplant.tamu.edu/management-options/filamentous-algae/
What is it like up at Kaplan's Pond?
Come up for a visit! It is a beautiful park at 400 feet above sea level with a thriving ecosystem that includes:
Aquatic Life: Wide mouth bass (some are 12 inches), sunfish, spring peepers, bullfrogs
Reptiles: Box turtles, painted turtles, snapping turtles (as big as a car's spare wheel)
Birds: Great blue heron, the occasional bald eagle, osprey (sometimes carrying fish they have just caught), hummingbirds, barred owl, screech owl, mallard ducks, wood ducks, Canada goose, cormorant, Carolina wren, cardinal, catbird, tufted titmouse, wild turkey
Mammals: Humans (fishing, boating, hiking, enjoying the wild outdoors) bobcat, black bear, coyote, beaver, woodchuck, deer, opossum, squirrel, chipmunk, rabbit, mouse, vole
Insects & Others: Tree frog, fireflies, dragonflies, butterflies, bumblebees, carpenter bees, honey bees, and more.
All of these creatures depend on this forest-aquatic natural environment for hunting, mating, raising young, and survival.
Kaplan's Pond's brilliant fall colors reflected in the calm water - a natural sanctuary that deserves protection.
Reflections on Living Near and Visiting Kaplan's Pond
"In all seasons, it is peaceful during the day when people jog past it, fish there or take their dogs on walks and peaceful at night when they do the same thing. The only sounds are the occasional plane flying overhead, the various birds singing, the turtles scampering off their sunbathing logs, yard work being done, young lovers and neighbors chatting and an occasional car driving by. At night, heard only are the croaks of the bullfrogs and the hoots of owls. As in the past, day or night 24/7 people go there to unwind and enjoy the peace of it. Its tranquility."
— Seth L. Kaplan's Neighbor for 54 years
Evening Soundscape at Kaplan's Pond - ASMR
Experience the natural silence of Kaplan's Pond broken only by some enthusiastic bullfrogs. This peaceful soundscape captures the sounds of nature on a cool summer evening in July.
You may have to turn the volume up to hear all the nighttime sounds.
Reflections on Seymour Waldman - a dedication plaque near the community bench and waterfall at Kaplan's Pond.
Next Steps
Upcoming Board of Trustees Working Session: Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Note: No public comments at working sessions, but emails sent beforehand will be part of the official record.
Take Action to Protect Kaplan's Pond
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Croton Village Phone:
914-271-4781
Village Manager - Brian Healy:
[email protected]
The Village Board:
[email protected]
Mockup showing what 4 aerator compressor motor housings would look like at Kaplan's Pond - transforming the peaceful, natural landscape. The Kaplan's Pond system will be 4x larger in aerator count (12 aerators are planned) because Kaplan's Pond is 2x larger than Duck Pond. Extra aerators means a larger/more motors to drive the compressor which means a louder sound.
References
Original Budget line for the initial Kaplan's Pond work:
Croton Village Budget Detail Worksheets (PDF)
- $4,000 installation cost
- $9,175 yearly ongoing costs (every year)
Announcements History
Track of all announcements that have appeared on this site: