When members of the Macarthur Business Alliance where asked for ideas about what to do with the former Bavarian Inn property, local business owner Kevin Kanakos walked around the property and became inspired.
He proposed his idea to local architect Michael Morbillo and together they discussed a scenic tour of the entire shoreline that would not only restore the park to its former glory, but also connect it to Lily Pond Preserve, W.S. Commerdinger County Park and a newly constructed Bavarian Park, which will be on the former Bavarian Inn property. From that discussion, the Lake Walk Tour proposal was born.
"I envisioned a path around the lake where you could walk, but so much more," Kanakos said. "I did the dreaming part and Michael did the practical part."
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Morbillo grew up in Nesconset and remembers what the lake was like when he was a boy. "I wanted a chance to reclaim the wonderful resource of the lake as I knew it," he said.
According to the website, the Lake Walk tour will feature several attractions such as gazebos, fishing piers, picnic areas, scenic vistas and even ice skating and ice boating on a pond in the winter that can be accessed by paved walkways and boardwalks which will surround the entire shoreline of the lake. Local residents will benefit not only by having a place to go for year round activities, but the unification of the parks will reduce erosion by visitors by limiting access to paths and walkways.
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"Other people have tried to spearhead similar ideas in the past but never followed through. We have a more concrete plan," Kanakos said.
Assemblywoman Ginny Fields (D-5th Assembly District) proposed a bill that was passed last week designating Lake Ronkonkoma as an inland waterway. This means New York State will provide funding to assist with the revitalization of the lake.
"There is tremendous potential in highlighting the great resources provided by Lake Ronkonkoma," Assemblywoman Fields said in a statement, "including increasing visitors to the area, expanding access to many available recreational activities, and encouraging economic development and additional preservation around the lake. The Lake Walk proposal will do just that. It is a wonderful plan that fully utilizes the many resources the lake holds by creating a unified park encompassing the shoreline parks of Lake Ronkonkoma, Lily Pond and W.S. Commerdinger Park."
George Schramm, the president of the Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization, has had some brief discussions with Senator Charles Schumer regarding the proposal.
"The Lake Walk Tour will help in bringing activity back to the lake, revitalizing the Lake Ronkonkoma area and provide protection for the lake but it will also help bring people back to the lake," Schramm said.
The time frame to complete the Lake Walk proposal is within two to three years with a preliminary cost estimated over $10 million.
"The project will be broken up into three parts, so different legs of the project will be completed and opened before the entire site is done," Morbillo said.
For more information of the Lake Walk Tour proposal, please visit their website,.
