Dear Members and Friends of the Canandaigua Botanical Society:
On September 10, 2012, four
members of the Canandaigua Botanical Society toured Canandaigua’s Lagoon Park
with Jim Engel. For those who may have
not visited Lagoon
Park, it is the 34 acre
wetlands directly across from Steamboat Landing on Lakeshore Drive in Canandaigua. Walking paths, bridges, fishing platforms,
and lookouts are all part of the Lagoon
Park. Unfortunately, as Engel pointed out, a
sizable portion of the park has been overtaken by invasive plant species,
particularly European Buckthorn.
Two years ago, Engel, the
owner of White Oak Nursery in Geneva, asked the City of Canandaigua for
permission to restore the natural beauty of the Park by removing the invasive
growth and planting flora and trees native to the Finger Lakes such as Spicebush,
Nannyberry, and Arrowood Viburnum to name a few. The City gave Engel permission to proceed on
the project, but no funding.
The work to restore the Park
will cost approximately seven to ten thousand dollars and will be completed by
the fall of 2013. Engel has already
begun removing the Buckthorn. In
September, the Canandaigua Botanical Society donated $300 toward the project. The Canandaigua Watershed Association is also
very much in favor of this project and at a recent meeting, agreed to match our
$300. More importantly, said they would
encourage more donations by individuals and organizations with a matching fund
of $3000. At our last CBS meeting at Finger Lakes Community College, those present voted
unanimously to send a letter to all members and friends of the CBS asking for
individual contributions.
Imagine the Lagoon Park
restored to its original beauty and welcoming presence, not just to all who
walk its paths, but to the native insects, birds, and wildlife that will be
attracted back to the park by this restoration.
You can help accomplish this
goal and take advantage of The Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association’s
generous matching offer by making a contribution today.
Checks should be made out to
the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association.
Note on the check that the donation is for the Lagoon Park Project. All contributions are fully tax deductable. Send your contribution to Canandiagua
Lakefront Association at 493 South
Main Street, Canandaigua NY 14424.
If you have any questions,
you can call Peggy Kane (thirty nine 4 7616) or Bill Bross (sixty one 5 6255)
Take a walk around the Lagoon Park
and we think you will want to support the Lagoon Park
restoration!
Peggy Kane and Bill Bross
Co-Presidents of the
Canandaigua Botanical Society.
Canandaigua Botanical Society - Established 1874
Dedicated to advancing the knowledge and enjoyment of all plants growing in the Finger Lakes Region and Beyond.
Dedicated to advancing the knowledge and enjoyment of all plants growing in the Finger Lakes Region and Beyond.