Centennial Cove Restoration Project: Are You On the Fence About It?

One of many hand made signs posted across the street from the Cove.

I can't write much about what I don't know, and the Centennial Cove Restoration Project is very unfamiliar to me (mostly because it seemed like a good project to me, and I trusted the committee, so I didn't attach myself to the details) so bear with me.

Image of The Cove, taken by Ward Vogt Designs, shows a time of harmony.
Prints available for sale at www.etsy.com/shop/wvogt69

After reading a letter published in the Neighbor News this week, co-written by Lakers Barry Zawacki and Charles Halpin, I started wondering about what was going on with the Cove Restoration Project. I was shocked by the after-the-fact backlash, mostly because the committee has met over 35 times in the past year, published their information on the town website, and held two public input meetings. It's not like no one knew this was happening, yet after construction is complete, people start getting vocal about making changes.


Again, I don't know much. I am in a town club with one of the people on the Cove restoration committee, and I really like her. Moreover, I know that she has great concern for the environment. She spoke briefly about what was going on, how they'd gotten bids from different landscape designers, etc. The removed invasive Japanese barberry and replaced it with native plants to slow the erosion process and deter a certain type of goose. It seemed to be a positive thing.


And then I read the letter, which states that the new plan doesn't allow for people to easily access the Cove, especially in ice skates (and the Cove is known to be an ice skating area). The writers make mention of a fence, and I assume it's the net fence that's already up, that separates the land from the lake. I cannot imagine an actual fence being put around the cove. While we, in our seven years of living in town, have never skated at the Cove, we believe firmly in upholding tradition, so I am torn on this issue. Keep with tradition, or move to protect from erosion in an ecologically sound way?


I'm hoping for both.


After having lunch with W today, I was heading home and pulled over to look at these signs, posted across the street from the Cove.

Clearly, this has struck a chord with many residents. I understand both sides, but I wonder what can be done. What does the town, overall, want? I'd love to hear what you all think. Is there a compromise in this big, local battle?