MetroWest Water Gardens

Milford Daily News
Parade of Ponds is a Walk on the Wet Side
By Michael Gleason

June 11, 2006

Although water was the main attraction at this weekend's Parade of Ponds, people touring the area yesterday wished it was limited to the pools in the water gardens they admired rather than the drops falling from the sky.

"I wish the weather was better. If the sun was shining, a lot more people would come out," said Ralph Briggs, a visitor at the Mendon Greenhouse, the jumping-off point for the self-guided Parade of Ponds 2006 tour. "We were hoping to build a pond on our property, and we heard Tom was the best."

Tom Frost, the self-proclaimed "Pond Guy," organized the tour. He owns MetroWest Water Gardens. The tour has two purposes: to show off the numerous water gardens in the area and to raise money for the Dana-Farber Institute's Jimmy Fund.

"The Jimmy Fund has always been my favorite charity, and it seemed natural to give to them," said Frost. This year's tour is the first of what Frost hopes will be a series of fund-raisers.

"I may also do a 'Moonlight Tour' in August or September, as many of the ponds are beautiful when lit up," he said.

This is Frost's second career, as he was formerly a computer architect, programmer and Web site designer.

"Designing water gardens was a hobby that I absolutely loved. I decided after 20 years of being a computer engineer to design water gardens professionally," Frost said. "I get to work with my kids, which is the fun part."

Lisa and Michael Ferdenzi, who own one of the water gardens on the tour, were enthusiastic about the event.

"We became involved because it was a charity event for a pretty good cause. We've donated to the Jimmy Fund through other avenues," said Michael Ferdenzi.

"Absolutely," added Lisa Ferdenzi. "We know it's the first year of this event, and I think it's a great fund-raiser. We also want people to know how great water gardens are."

The Ferdenzis' pond is, as they term it, a "labor of love." It is the product of seven or eight years of work and "a good deal of trial and error." They credit it as being more work-intensive than a pool. Yet they are very satisfied with the results.

"It's worth it. It runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and it's very peaceful. Even in the dead of winter, I can still hear it." said Lisa Ferdenzi. "If I had a choice, I'd make it even bigger."

The couple noted that one of the unexpected effects of their pond has been that it has become a draw for local wildlife. They saw a blue heron two days ago.

The tour runs today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and includes houses in Franklin, Hopedale, North Attleboro, Wellesley, Sudbury, Marlborough, Southborough, Westborough and Ashland. The price of a ticket is $20, and all proceeds go to charity. Those interested can purchase tickets at the Mendon Greenhouse, or directly from MetroWest Water Gardens.

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