Study Completed 2021
1,368 acres site

Tucked within Greater Boston’s Blue Hills Reservation, Ponkapoag Pond and Bog has long been a favorite spot for hikers and campers. In 2020, Oudens Ello was approached to join a master planning effort for the surrounding area including a historic Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) campsite on the eastern banks of the pond and a YMCA day-camp near the Bog. The location and general layout of the AMC camp dates back to 1921 with three of its oldest log cabin structures currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places and multiple others eligible. The planning process began with an intensive assessment of the structures identifying differed maintenance and code violations which in some cases require complete replacement of the structures where acceptable. Recommendations centered around retaining and enhancing historic character where ever possible, only replacing non-historic structures such as the existing bathrooms which lacked code compliance as well as introducing quality of life improvements such as a functioning kitchen and new plumbing.