Liberation of Patchogue Lake Announcement

Press release from office of Dean Murray

Assemblyman Dean Murray will be joined by Patchogue Village Mayor Paul Pontieri and Suffolk County Legislator Jack Eddington at a press conference announcing an agreement to significantly beautify downtown Patchogue by removing the fence surrounding Great Patchogue Lake.  The press conference will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, October 21 on the southern shoreline of the lake along Waverly Avenue in Patchogue – opposite Briarcliff College.

The removal of the fence, located along the Waverly Avenue spur, will provide an unblemished open view of the lake for the first time in over 50 years. 

Patchogue’s history is steeped in the many rivers, lakes and creeks in the area.  In the mid-twentieth century, however, many of these lakes were enclosed with fencing, preventing residents from accessing the shoreline, or even enjoying an unobstructed view.  In recent years, fences were removed from nearby West Lake and Swan Lake, beautifying those areas. 

For several years, local residents and members of the Patchogue Chamber of Commerce lobbied for the Patchogue Lake fence to be removed as well, as part of the beautification and revitalization of the Village.  They contacted Assemblyman Murray earlier this year, who was able to bring Village and County officials together and ultimately reach an agreement.