Turtles, fishing, picnics and memories

When my children were younger -- and before we became aware that the York Road ponds were closed to fishing to protect turtles -- my family quite regularly visited the spot to try for fish.

We were worms-and-bobbers anglers and hooked several small sunfish and a few smallmouth bass. (A few were caught out of season on a Father's Day weekend. Oops. For the record: all were quickly released.)

The trips, however, were much more about having some readily accessible in-city nature and family time. We delighted in seeing platoons of geese each trip, a heron or two and peek-a-booing turtles. There was some good picnicing and eye-spy games too.

One trip, my kids and I were mesmerized at a fellow angler successfully reeling in a lunker carp -- hooked on corn, no less. The friendly fellow fisher warmly invited my kids to be photographed with the great catch before it was placed back in the pond.

It has been a place of great moments and memories for my family. I hope the area remains a location that can be similarly enjoyed by other parents and kids in the years to come.