Design includes new patios and overlook.
This is a preliminary artists' rendering for a proposed makeover of the Swan Pond in the village of Manlius. (Note: The drawing isn't to scale; the patio area in for foreground, for example, isn't as large as depicted).The Manlius Swan Pond, a village landmark since the 1950s, may soon get a major makeover.
The village of Manlius wants to make improvements to the pond to boost its appeal and attract more visitors. Much of the work would be focused on the area along the pond’s west side and the access between the upper pond along Route 92 and the lower pond.
"The whole idea is to make this a destination for people," said Manlius Village Trustee Janice Abdo-Rott. "We want this to be a landmark, and also a focal point for the village. The Swan Pond is beautiful and we don’t want to change it, we just want to enhance it."
The Manlius Village Board this week voted to accept Saratoga Associates’ design proposal at a cost of $61,850. They received four proposals, and although Saratoga’s wasn’t the cheapest, it seemed to have the most creative impact, she said.
The Manlius Swan Pond renovations are set to begin in spring 2011.The village hasn’t signed a contract with Saratoga yet, but needs a design in hand so it can work on securing funding for the work. The village received a $100,000 matching grant from the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation toward the improvements, but wants to tap into state and federal funding and corporate sponsorships. Some village money will be needed to help pay for work.
A cost estimate for the first phase should be completed in the next several weeks, Abdo-Rott said.
After the village decided to make the basic pond improvements, they decided to go a step further and see what it would look like to re-create some of the pond, Abdo-Rott said.
The proposed design includes these key features:
• The narrow dirt path along the entire west side of the pond, which runs along the back part of the upper pond, would be widened and pavers installed.
• A new small patio/congregating area on the pond’s west side would be built so people can see the lower pond. A small pavilion/pagoda would be constructed, so the area could be used for a small band, a speech, or even such as an art exhibit. Stairs would be built from the upper paved area down to another small landing/patio would be built.
• A small patio would be built on the pond’s north side, between the pond and the Saucy Swan restaurant, where benches could be installed and people could relax and watch the swans.
• On the Route 92 side, a second overlook would be created, giving people another place to stand and watch the pond.
• The ravine between the two ponds would be relocated, creating a small stream with a pedestrian bridge/walkway built over the top.
Lydia Shuler, 7, and Grace Huber, 3, both of Manlius, sprinkle food for the ducks at the swan pond in Manlius. • A new handicapped accessible pathway also will lead from the upper to lower pond area.
Phase 2 would call for restrooms and work on the amphitheatre.
Work on the Phase 1 is targeted to begin in spring 2011.
"It goes along with our goal of having a vital main street," said Manlius Mayor Mark-Paul Serafin. "If your Main Street doesn’t look vibrant, you don’t get the interest in investing in the village."
The village bought the Swan Pond - which is actually two ponds - from the Cheney family for $1 in 1952.
Elizabeth Doran can be reached at edoran@syracuse.com or 470-3012