Saranac Lake to invest in Lake Colby improvements

SARANAC LAKE | Earlier this month, the village board accepted a $119,107 smart growth grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to improve accessibility, safety, and overall usability at Lake Colby Beach and William Wallace Park. "We're not reacting; we're preparing, and that's how we deliver projects that are thoughtful, financially responsible, and built to last," said Village of Saranac Lake Mayor Kelly Brunette. "This is about making sure a central community space works for everyone Located just outside downtown Saranac Lake, off Route 86 and across from the Adirondack Medical Center, this community space is used year-round by locals and visitors alike. During the warmer months, it serves as a public village-owned beach, while in winter, it becomes a popular destination for ice-based recreational activities, especially ice fishing. Lake Colby Beach features a play area for kids, a volleyball net, plenty of sand, off-road parking, changing rooms, bathrooms, and lifeguards on duty. Due to the large-motorboat restriction on Lake Colby, kayakers, canoers, and stand-up paddle boarders can go out and explore the lake via the New York State-owned boat launch without worrying about large wakes. And as for the fishing, this lake comes with top-notch fishing year-round, where anglers can search for rainbow, brown, and lake trout, as well as landlocked salmon and large or smallmouth bass. "It is a heavily-used and well-loved community asset, but like many of our public facilities, it is showing its age. There are limitations in accessibility, aging infrastructure in the bathhouse/support areas, and opportunities to improve how people move through the site safely and comfortably," said Village of Saranac Lake Mayor Kelly Brunette, who particularly likes the sunsets there. "The space works, but it doesn't yet meet modern standards for accessibility or fully reflect the level of investment this community deserves." Phase 1, which these grant funds support, consists of producing shovel-ready design-and-bid documents for a full site upgrade. That includes planning for ADA-compliant access routes to the water; better pedestrian connections from parking to the beach; improvements to the bathhouse and support facilities; and upgrades that support lifeguard operations and public safety. That work will begin this year, during the contract period from now through March 2029. Construction will follow in a future phase once the design is complete and funding is secured. "Lake Colby serves residents of all ages, families, and visitors from across the region. Updating it means creating equitable access, improving safety, and enhancing the overall experience for thousands of people each year," Brunette said. "Just as importantly, this project reflects a broader approach we're taking as a village: planning ahead, aligning with our Local Waterfront Revitalization Program and other long-term plans, and positioning ourselves to compete for outside funding." For more information or updates, visit saranaclake.com.

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Saranac Lake to invest in Lake Colby improvements

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