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Politics & Government

Patchogue Lake Fence To Come Down

Fence has been up for 50 years.

For the first time in over 50 years, the fence surrounding Patchogue Lake along the Waverly Avenue spur will be removed.

Several lakes and rivers in Patchogue were encased in fencing in the early 1950s. In the 1990s, however, the Town of Brookhaven removed the fence surrounding Swan Lake in East Patchogue and the Village of Patchogue removed fencing along West Lake soon after. Local residents and members of the Patchogue Chamber of Commerce began lobbying for the Patchogue Lake fence to be removed in 2005.

“In the first few weeks after I moved to Patchogue in 2005, I discovered this beautiful lake hidden behind sickly pines, tall weeds, and this ugly six-foot chain-link fence,” said resident Philip Butler. “From that day forward, my passion was to ‘tear down this fence’ so that the next generation of kids could enjoy its beauty. I still don't know who or why they would put this fence up but I'm glad that it's coming down.”

The lake is property of the Village of Patchogue but the surrounding area and roadway is owned by Suffolk County and is protected by the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).

NYS Assemblyman Dean Murray was contacted by several community members earlier this year regarding the project and agreed to facilitate and coordinate the process between the various government organizations.

“For too long this rusty fence did little more than spoil the view of the lake,” Murray said. “Now, thanks to this agreement, residents, visitors, and others coming to Patchogue will be able to fully appreciate the beauty of our community."

Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy also attended.

Looking forward to the project, Village of Patchogue Mayor Paul Pontieri assured residents during the ceremony that the lake will be taken care of by the Village Department of Public Works and noted that sections of the lake are already open to the general public.

“From fishing to boating or sitting on the edge of the lake reading a book, it is a Patchogue treasure,” Pontieri said. “The taking down of the fence and trimming the vegetation allows the community to enjoy its beauty all year round. I'm looking forward to fishing for pickerel.”

Local resident Toni Dean has run along the route for the last 18 years.

"It's a beautiful view. I'm glad that a guardrail will be added and that some of this overgrowth will be removed to keep things safe," Dean said.

However, not all residents are thrilled about the fence being removed. Resident Dan Ziegler had questions that he posted onto Patchogue Patch’s Facebook page.

“This waterfront can be shared, just not the fish! How can we protect and live in harmony with nature, while offering the view and tranquility to all,” Ziegler wrote.

Theresa Skelaney wrote her feelings that there is a more important drug issue in the area where the fence may help.

“I did witness a drug deal on the edge of the cemetery on the lake one day,” Skelaney wrote. “They need more fences.”

The lake is one of the last to be beautified in Patchogue Village and work on this project is expected to be completed this fall.

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