Friends of Lake Quannapowitt Annual Breakfast

With well over 100 people in attendance, The Friends of Lake Quannapowitt held their annual breakfast at the Crystal Community Club on Sunday, November 16, 2025. This annual event is for all community members to gather and celebrate the annual presentation of the Gertrude Spaulding Award to an individual who exemplifies the mission of the FOLQ to “Promote public awareness and provide long term protection and enhancement of Lake Quannapowitt and its surrounding public lands.”

Greetings from the Town of Wakefield were provided by Town Administrator Dee Casey and Town Council Vice Chair Jonathan Chines.

The 17th Gertrude Spaulding Award honoree is Peter Scott. Peter was presented the award by Bill Boodry, President of The Friends of Lake Quannapowitt, in the presence of his wife, Cheryl Webb Scott and daughter Cydney and son Christopher.

In presenting the award, Boodry noted that Peter is a long-time member and past president of the Wakefield Center Neighborhood Association (WCNA). Peter, along with the WCNA members, have been involved in the continuous beautification and enhancement of the Upper and Lower Lakeside Commons. Examples include light poles, railing replacement and benches on the Upper Common; design of the Lake Quannapowitt Spaulding Playground; restoration of the Band Stand; design of Upper Common holiday lighting; and the design and installation of the new lakeside entrance to the Spaulding Street Playground.

For these reasons, the Board of Directors of the Friends of Lake Quannapowitt are delighted that Peter Scott is the 2025 Gertrude Spaulding Awardee.

The FOLQ Spaulding award was established in 2008. Gertrude Spaulding an active community member for many civic causes. It was in the field of environmentalism that Gertrude made significant contributions. She was a community leader in the establishment of the Wakefield Conservation Commission in 1983, serving as a member from 1984-1990. Gertrude also served on the Saugus River Watershed Council. In 1991, she was a founding member of The Friends of Lake Quannapowitt, which she championed throughout her life. Gertrude died just before Christmas in 2000 at the age of 87. Two years later, the 40,900 square foot park at the head of the lake was named in her honor - The Gertrude Spaulding Park. The FOLQ continues to honor her memory through the annual Gertrude Spaulding Award.