County Begins Restoration Work On Edison & Metuchen’s Historic Lucille Ball Pond

METUCHEN, NJ — For years, the residents of Edison and Metuchen have worked together to save a 20,000-year-old pond in the Oak Hills neighborhood. The Lucille Ball pond, a historic body of water that dates back to the Ice Age, is considered a gem in the neighborhood.

After years of collaborative effort, restoration work has begun on the pond in Metuchen's Oak Hills neighborhood, Mayor Jonathan M. Busch said.

The Middlesex County Mosquito Commission has started removing thick overgrowth of invasive reeds that had overwhelmed the pond, marking a significant step in returning the area to its natural state.

"Over the last few years, we've worked closely with the Oak Hills neighborhood and our neighbors in Edison to help save the 'Lucille Ball Pond' for our community," Busch said.

The restoration effort came after the borough advocated for county intervention to address the pond's deteriorating condition. The removal of invasive vegetation will allow native plants and local wildlife to return, restoring a healthier ecological balance to the area.

The glacial kettle pond, formed during the last Ice Age, serves as an important part of the region's watershed, feeding into the Dismal Swamp and ultimately the Raritan River.

"By bringing together local and county agencies, we're helping protect this unique ecosystem so it can remain clean, healthy, and vibrant for generations to come," Busch said.

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