M.D.C. Adds Bridge To Hell's Half Acre

The Metropolitan District Commission has built a footbridge and erected a fence in Hell's Half Acre, Cambridge's last wilderness, in response to requests of local conservationists.

The outflow from the pond to the Charles River was bridged yesterday to make it easier for conservationists to study the area, first brought to public attention by Bernard DeVoto '18 in an article in Harper's Magazine. The fence, extending across the dirt road which runs the length of the rectangular area, will keep out potential rubbish-dumpers and motorists.

The area, two-thirds of which is owned by the MDC and the other third by Cambridge, is the last unspoiled land in Cambridge. Mark DeVoto '61 and Richard Simmers '59 have made a catalogue of the wild life which is made up of both swamp and dry-land flora and fauna. It contains more than 100 species of higher plants, and over 40 types of birds have been seen in the area during the year.