The Sharpner's Pond Anti-Ballistic Missile Site is a location in North Andover, Massachusetts which was slated to be the site of a Perimeter Acquisition Radar facility for the Sentinel program. Initially, an access road and a large excavation for an underground power plant were constructed at the site.[1] However, in light of mounting publicity and public outcry over the construction of Sentinel sites, the Sentinel program ended before substantial construction took place at the Sharpner's Pond location.
Water-filled excavation pit at Sharpner's Pond Anti-Ballistic Missile Site, August 2023.
All activity at the Sharpner's Pond site halted on March 14th, 1969 when contracts with construction agencies were terminated.[2] The land was later transferred back to the Department of Conservation from the Department of Defense and became part of Boxford State Forest. The area was badly damaged by the work conducted by the site and has not fully recovered.[3]
After maintenance of the site stopped, the excavated area filled with rain and groundwater, forming a pond. The pond formed by the excavation at the site is frequently confused with the nearby Sharpners Pond, which is privately owned and not part of the Boxford State Forest. Sharpners Pond is not accessible to the public.[4]
Drownings at excavation siteedit
Vandalized "Danger, No Swimming" sign posted near the water-filled excavation pit
The pond formed by the excavation at Sharpner's Pond Anti-Ballistic Missile Site is not designated for swimming as the water is deep, cold, and can be easily occluded by silt. A danger sign posted along the access road leading to the excavation warns visitors to not swim in the water although it has since been vandalized. Between 2004 and 2008, three drownings resulted from swimming in the excavation.[5]
Despite the risks, it is reported that the site is often frequented by swimmers and visitors after dark, often consuming alcohol at the site. In 2008 it was reported that police activity is increased in the area to combat swimming and after-hours use of the site. A gate was also installed as the access road had become a popular dumping ground for stolen vehicles.[5]
In 2008, it was reported that a memorial had been spray-painted at the site onto rocks near the water reading "R.I.P. Keolong Keath 6/16/2004".[6]
Referencesedit
^"Boxford State Forest". Friends of North Andover Trails.
^"Sharpner's Pond Sentinel ABM Site - United States Nuclear Forces". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
^"Resource Management Plan, March 2013 - Harold Parker Planning Unit". Mass.gov. Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
^"Boxford State Forest Map". Mass.gov. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
^ abVogler, Mark E. (5 July 2008). "Police and firefighters pull drowning man from North Andover pond". Eagle-Tribune. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
^Lucas, Drake (9 July 2008). "Sharpners Pond continues to claim victims". Eagle-Tribune. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
External linksedit
A History of the Huntsville Division U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
sharpner, pond, anti, ballistic, missile, site, location, north, andover, massachusetts, which, slated, site, perimeter, acquisition, radar, facility, sentinel, program, initially, access, road, large, excavation, underground, power, plant, were, constructed, . The Sharpner s Pond Anti Ballistic Missile Site is a location in North Andover Massachusetts which was slated to be the site of a Perimeter Acquisition Radar facility for the Sentinel program Initially an access road and a large excavation for an underground power plant were constructed at the site 1 However in light of mounting publicity and public outcry over the construction of Sentinel sites the Sentinel program ended before substantial construction took place at the Sharpner s Pond location Water filled excavation pit at Sharpner s Pond Anti Ballistic Missile Site August 2023 All activity at the Sharpner s Pond site halted on March 14th 1969 when contracts with construction agencies were terminated 2 The land was later transferred back to the Department of Conservation from the Department of Defense and became part of Boxford State Forest The area was badly damaged by the work conducted by the site and has not fully recovered 3 Perimeter Acquisition Radar at Cavalier Air Force Station in North Dakota A radar similar to this would have been constructed in North Andover Contents 1 Confusion with Sharpners Pond 2 Drownings at excavation site 3 References 4 External linksConfusion with Sharpners Pond editAfter maintenance of the site stopped the excavated area filled with rain and groundwater forming a pond The pond formed by the excavation at the site is frequently confused with the nearby Sharpners Pond which is privately owned and not part of the Boxford State Forest Sharpners Pond is not accessible to the public 4 Drownings at excavation site edit nbsp Vandalized Danger No Swimming sign posted near the water filled excavation pitThe pond formed by the excavation at Sharpner s Pond Anti Ballistic Missile Site is not designated for swimming as the water is deep cold and can be easily occluded by silt A danger sign posted along the access road leading to the excavation warns visitors to not swim in the water although it has since been vandalized Between 2004 and 2008 three drownings resulted from swimming in the excavation 5 Despite the risks it is reported that the site is often frequented by swimmers and visitors after dark often consuming alcohol at the site In 2008 it was reported that police activity is increased in the area to combat swimming and after hours use of the site A gate was also installed as the access road had become a popular dumping ground for stolen vehicles 5 In 2008 it was reported that a memorial had been spray painted at the site onto rocks near the water reading R I P Keolong Keath 6 16 2004 6 References edit Boxford State Forest Friends of North Andover Trails Sharpner s Pond Sentinel ABM Site United States Nuclear Forces www globalsecurity org Retrieved 14 August 2023 Resource Management Plan March 2013 Harold Parker Planning Unit Mass gov Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Retrieved 15 August 2023 Boxford State Forest Map Mass gov Retrieved 15 August 2023 a b Vogler Mark E 5 July 2008 Police and firefighters pull drowning man from North Andover pond Eagle Tribune Retrieved 14 August 2023 Lucas Drake 9 July 2008 Sharpners Pond continues to claim victims Eagle Tribune Retrieved 15 August 2023 External links editA History of the Huntsville Division U S Army Corps of Engineers42 38 47 37 N 71 2 13 44 W 42 6464917 N 71 0370667 W 42 6464917 71 0370667 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Sharpner 27s Pond Anti Ballistic Missile Site amp oldid 1170612035, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
