Cypress Alligator Pond back open after remodel
LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - The City of Lake Charles held a ribbon cutting for the newly remodeled Cypress Alligator Pond on the Lakefront.
The three alligators that live in this pond can now return home.
The City of Lake Charles partnered with Indorama to give the pond a complete makeover.
“We have this asset that has been here on our lakefront for many years and it needed some love. We had some alligators that were feeling a little lonely and we needed to spruce it up a little bit,” said Mayor Nic Hunter.
Remodeling the alligator pond was one of the first projects in the rebuilding of the Lakefront.
“As the project evolved, Mike thought it would be a great idea for Indorama to get involved. So we had no idea what aspect of the property or project we would help with but the alligator cove that became the project that we focused on,” said Human Resource Manager for Indorama Ventures Kim Lilly.
The alligator pond has been a part of the Lake Charles community for many years. Former Mayor Willie Mount said the idea for the pond came from a meeting she held with residents.
“One of the other items was a gator pond or an alligator pond so we set out to do that and we’re very proud to be here today and see that it survived,” said Mount.
Contractors with the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge put in a brand new viewing deck for visitors, extra trees, new fencing and benches for tourists.
The renovations cost about $50,000 - a cost equally shared by the city and Indorama through the Partners in Parks fund.
“The gate surrounds just to make sure it’s secure and protected not just for our alligators but for our visitors as well. There are additional projects coming from Indorama, just the wooding and fencing and just a lot of opportunities to advance the project,” said Lilly.
A new circulating water pump was also added to provide a safer and healthier environment for the alligators.
The alligator pond is open everyday from sunrise until sunset.
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