Friends of Lake Quannapowitt (FOLQ) was founded in 1991 by a group of dedicated citizens who recognized the importance of protecting Lake Quannapowitt and its surrounding lands.
A driving force in the founding of FOLQ was the energy and vision of Gertrude Spaulding. An impressive civic leader, she was soft-spoken but persuasive, a visionary endowed with political savvy. She left an outsized mark on our community and especially on lake advocacy.
Since its founding, FOLQ has led and supported numerous improvements, including the creation of Gertrude Spaulding Park at the head of the lake and sponsorship of the renovation of Colonel Connelly Park. FOLQ also sponsors a variety of ongoing programs and initiatives, such as Bricks by the Lake, Doggie Bags for a Cleaner Lake, fishing line recycling, goose control, annual lake cleanups, invasive plant removal, water quality testing, and watershed field trips for students at Wakefield’s Galvin Middle School.
FOLQ continues to make a meaningful impact in Wakefield by advancing its mission to “Protect and Enhance the Waters of Lake Quannapowitt and its Surrounding Lands.” Established in 2025, this fund aims to support the education of future scientists and environmental stewards dedicated to preserving Lake Quannapowitt and the environment.
Scholarship Recipients
Recipient information for this fund will appear here as it becomes available.