The Lakefront is crawling with new life, and next year promises an even livelier crowd. On Friday, Mayor Nic Hunter was joined by representatives from Indorama, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Children’s Museum, Visit Lake Charles and Crying Eagle to cut the ribbon on the recently refurbished Cypress Alligator Pond located on North Lakeshore Drive between Visit Lake Charles and Port Wonder.

“It is a healthier environment for the gators and the observation deck was expanded to give people a little closer look,” Hunter pointed out.

While the pond was being revamped, the gator family of  three“vacationed” at Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge.

Funding for upgraded wood fencing, signage, gate and additional trees was a dollar-for-dollar match between the city of Lake Charles and Indorama, part of the Partners and Parks initiative.

“We chose to fund this project because we wanted to give back to our community. This is where our employees live, work and play. We could think of no better way to do that than to partner with the city of Lake Charles Parks Initiative,” said Kim Lilly of Indorama. “It also falls right in line with our sustainability and environment ventures.”

“The goal was to bring the pond back to its original design,” said Michael Castille, Director of Community Services. “Dr. Lyons, a McNeese State University professor assisted us in making sure the environment, vegetation and shade were right.”

The Gator Pond was originally built in the late 1990s when Mayor Willie Mount was in office, according to City Administrator John Cardone.

It gets more traffic from tourists than some folks might realize.

“This is the most visited site in Lake Charles,” Castille said.

That distinction could change soon. A soft opening for Port Wonder is expected some time in December and an official grand opening in January.

Cardonne pointed out the newly constructed lakefront “boardwalk” that stretches from the updated parking garage to the Cypress Alligator Pond. The boardwalk was destroyed by Hurricane Rita in 2005. The new walkway will be used to connect new development, but also for a scenic walking and biking route.

 The city’s administrator said he didn’t have any news to announce for developments east of the parking garage at this time, but there have been “conversations” and a Request for Proposals could go out soon to help foment future development.

The Cypress Alligator Pond is open daily from sunrise to sunset.