Press Release  Department of Fish and Game and Town of Tyringham Dedicate Goose Pond Boat Ramp to Evan Colbert

TYRINGHAM — State and local leaders, friends and family, and community members gathered to dedicate the Massachusetts Department of Fish & Game (DFG) Office of Fishing & Boating Access (OFBA) Goose Pond Boat Ramp to Evan “Cole” Colbert and celebrate improvements to the facility made possible by a generous donation by the community. 

“The dedication of this public access point to Evan Colbert is a fitting tribute to a young man whose great love of the outdoors and passion for fishing and boating has inspired his family and friends to give back,” said DFG Commissioner Tom O’Shea. “We greatly appreciate the support that has allowed us to increase access to Goose Pond, a cherished great pond in the Berkshires. The new accessible walkway and floating dock will greatly improve the experience for boaters and anglers like Evan who appreciate nothing more than a day out on the water.”

Since 2020, Evan’s supporters have raised funds in his memory through an annual ice fishing derby at Goose Pond called “Cole’s Memorial Hard Water Fishing Derby.” Last year, they donated $5,000 to OFBA to help fund the construction of an accessible concrete sidewalk and floating docks at the Goose Pond Boat Ramp to improve access for people of all abilities to fishing and boating. Additionally, the funds raised were used to construct the granite stone and plaque to honor Evan and his passion for the outdoors, being on the water, and fishing and boating at Goose Pond.

"The many years of successfully raising funds through events, donations, and visibility are now culminating with the dedication of the Goose Pond Boat Ramp in honor of Evan ‘Cole’ Colbert.  This is an amazing example of the sense of community that makes the Berkshires so special,” said State Senator Paul Mark (D-Berkshire, Hampden, Franklin, and Hampshire). “The improvements that have been made and this dedication ceremony is a testament to how important Evan was to so many and that his memory continues to bring people together and bring out the very best in all of us." 

"Evan Colbert was an exceptional young man who loved to fish with friends and family on Goose Pond. He was taken too soon, leaving a void in all of our hearts. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of recognition for this wonderful enhancement to the pond he loved to spend time on," said State Representative William “Smitty” Pignatelli (D-Third Berkshire).

“The construction and dedication of the Goose Pond Boat Ramp is a perfect example of what can be accomplished when the state, town and private citizens work together. We now have a great new facility, which makes boating on Goose Pond safer, much more convenient, and more enjoyable. At the same time, we have established a lasting memorial for Evan Colbert, who is loved and missed by all who knew him,” said James Consolati, Select Board Chair for the Town of Tyringham.

Goose Pond is a 263-acre great pond located on the border of Lee and Tyringham. It is well known for its excellent trout fishery and is stocked annually by MassWildlife. The waterway also supports sunfish, yellow perch, brown bullhead, chain pickerel, largemouth bass, and abundant smallmouth bass. The OFBA Goose Pond Boat Ramp is located on the south side of Goose Pond off Ridge Street in Tyringham. The ramp was reconstructed in 2018 by DFG and the Town of Tyringham Highway Department with a precast concrete ramp, a paved road right-of-way to the ramp, and improved stormwater management. The improvements to the facility provide a deeper launch better suited for modern boats and pavement striping formalizes parking for vehicles with cartop or trailered boats. 

The DFG’s Office of Fishing and Boating Access (OFBA) provides boating and fishing access to hundreds of lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams in the Commonwealth. The agency oversees more than 300 boat and canoe launch sites, shore fishing areas, and recreational fishing piers. See the online map for a list of all sites and more information about them. 

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