Black Pond
Black Pond is a small body of swamp water within Bishop Park. It is named after the dark colour of its water caused by the black sediment that makes its base.
Description
The Black Pond is located inside Bishop Park just outside of Hantspire. It has a surface area of approximately 110 square metres and is situated in a large clearing in the northern half of the forest. Due to the amount of black tar-like sediment within the water it is not safe for swimming in. The pond often has a noticeable stench on hot summer days which locals have described as "disturbing". The sediment that gives it the black appearance is mostly made up of decomposing plants, sulphur deposits, and trace amounts of salt deposits. This part of Bishop Park is not very popular among locals but has been of particular interest to researchers.
History
The earliest account of Black Pond comes from the journal of a local farmer sometime in the 19th century. The farmer mentioned the pond while explaining his decision to settle a few kilometres outside of what would become Bishop Park. He described the ponds existence as "out of place" within the otherwise lush and beautiful forest. Without a place to get safe drinking water the farmer had to move further north wear running water could be found. Another account from the time written in a child's diary describes their shock as a squirrel ran out of the woods, into the clearing, and straight into the swampy water. The squirrel did not return from the water, likely due to the thick sediment dragging it down.
Samuel Bishop
- Main article: Samuel Bishop
Conservationist Samuel Bishop described the pond as being "delightfully hideous" during his time researching the area. His outpost is believed to have been located at the edge of the clearing where the pond sits. Bishop wrote multiple entries about the pond where he described its odd appearance, smell, and the effect it had on local wildlife. He noted that he never once saw an animal survive after falling into the pond, due to the heavy sediment dragging them down or clogging their airways. He also lamented that the pond could not be filtered to create safe drinking water, forcing him to either find a stream elsewhere or return to Hantspire to refill his water reserves. The geography of the area did not allow for wells to be dug for permanent water access due to hard granite stone lying below the ground above the water table.
One test that Bishop conducted using the water involved him soaking a log in it. He expected to learn about the decomposing properties of the water and was surprised to find the log mostly decomposed after just the first night. Bishop was shocked by the speed at which the log decomposed as the sediment's chemical properties didn't seem particularly unique from other swamps.
It is theorised that Bishop may have fallen into the pond and drowned in 1919 which would explain his sudden disappearance.
Bishop Park Research Centre
- Main article: Bishop Park Research Centre
The Bishop Park Research Centre was built just on the edge of the clearing where the Black Pond is located. It is widely believed by locals that the Research Centre was built on the site of Samuel Bishop's old outpost. The research centre was operational from November 4th 1946 until it burned down due to a gas leak explosion on September 17th 1980. Not much is known about the research that the centre was responsible for as many of its projects were never made public. It is known that researchers were studying the pond as they could often be spotted collecting samples of the water and sediment.
The fire that destroyed the Research Centre created a small clearing around the remains of the building. Although the tress did not grow back, the other plant and animal life returned very quickly to the area and the site is almost undetectable. The quick recovery is often attributed to the efforts of the military in cleaning up the site. The military assisted with cleanup as they had the best resources for handling some of the dangerous building materials.
Black Pond Party
On August 15th 1980 a group of high school students from the local area ventured into Bishop Park and held a large gathering next to the black pond. The party was attended by approximately 35 people who showed little respect for the environment. Based on first-hand accounts there was garbage everywhere and some of the students threw their empty beer bottles and other trash into the pond. As the night went on the energy of the group began to escalate and it is speculated that drugs may have played a role. The students began to wander into the forest and came across the Research Centre. The Centre was surrounded by barbwire fencing and the gate was guarded by two security staff members who demanded that the students vacate the area immediately. This led to multiple altercations between the staff and the students which prompted police response.
By the time the RCMP arrived on the scene 3 students had been detained by the security while the others fled. The students were charged with trespassing and sentenced to 150 hours of community service each. Anonymous reports to a local newspaper helped shed light on the events leading up to the altercation, but no one publicly admitted to also attending the party.
In the aftermath of the party there was talk of closing the park to the public to help protect the unique ecosystem. However these talks were cut short with the destruction of the Research Centre.
Current Conservation Efforts
Even with the construction of the Hantspire Environmental Research Station in 1991, there has been little efforts to conserve the pond specifically since the Research Centre went up in flames. Although locals have continued to vouch for Bishop Park as a whole, concern over the curious little pond is non-existent. With the HERS Station set to close at the end of 2020 it is unlikely than any efforts will be made going forward either.