The Waverly Avenue/County Road 19 traffic circle reconstruction was completed and reopened in October 2020. The $5.5 million project allows vehicles heading west on Lake Street to maneuver south more easily. It also added green space for walking and running, with views and access to the Patchogue Lake.
As part of the beautification, the Patchogue Garden Club planted 10,000 daffodils along the newly reopened Lake Street extension this winter. The flowers are expected to bloom in about another month or so.
However, according to Suffolk County Legis. Rob Calarco, more prevalent and invasive species still inhabit the lake, obstructing the view to the water. Though monies for the project, he said, have been entirely exhausted, plans for an intermunicipal agreement with Village of Patchogue would allow phragmite removal to be done.
“It can be extremely expensive, but the village has the ability to use its own manpower,” he said, hopeful to allow the community even better access to the lake.
The project, he added, will be started once the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation approvals are given for the work to be done by the village, likely by late-summer. A per- mit is already in hand. Calarco said he also hopes to eventually install a small fish dock once all the phragmites are removed.
According to village Department of Public Works superintendent Joseph Dean, the DEC permits will dictate the timeframe of completion and might also require the replacement of another species.
“We are looking forward to partnering with the county on improving the view,” Dean said. “We hope this project will create a better environment for our residents to enjoy the lovely lake.”
Eventually, parking benches will also be installed and a small fishing dock, should funding be found, Calarco added.
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