OBSERVER Photos by J.M. Lesinski Cassadaga Beach, pictured, is primed for new playground equipment and grant possibilities, but has also been seeing the impact of zebra mussels, an invasive species common in many area lakes.

CASSADAGA — With summer in full swing, things have been getting busy down at Cassadaga Beach, including the recent announcement of three new grant applications.

Deputy Mayor Cindy Flaherty gave an update on the grants, as well as the beach in general, at a recent Cassadaga Village Board meeting. “The dock is in and the beach is open dawn until dusk,” she began. “I have submitted three grants in the last couple weeks. Two for a basketball court maintenance renovation. One for Chautauqua County Health Network to repair the concrete gutter at the parking lot by the insurance office.”

In addition to the grants, Flaherty commented that a shortage of lifeguards was averted thanks in part to Beach Supervisor Tammy Wichlacz. “We’ve got five lifeguards,” she noted. “We thought we were going to be short, but we’ve got it all figured out.”

From there, Flaherty broke down the arrival and set-up around the new playground equipment, soon to be delivered to the beach from the Ralph Wilson Junior Foundation.

“The playground equipment from the Ralph Wilson Junior Foundation grant is scheduled to arrive July 9,” Flaherty stated. “They’re going to put the pieces over at the launch. They’re going to grind, sandblast and coat it in that area.”

“Then they’re going to move it to the beach on July 23,” Flaherty continued. “They’re also going to bring in more sand to put around it July 25, then on July 28 they will have a formal dedication right before the concert at 4 p.m.”

Of the impact the construction will have on the community, Flaherty also noted, “I’ve written a letter to let all the neighbors know that its going to be a little noisy for about a week.”

Off that note, Flaherty then turned her attention to matters in the water. More specifically, the impact zebra mussels have been having on the beach. “The only downside is that the kids are cutting their feet on the zebra mussels,” Flaherty commented. “The beach supervisor is letting all the parents know that children should wear water shoes because there’s really nothing we can do about the zebra mussels.”

The zebra mussels, a hazardous invasive species present in a number of area lakes including Lake Erie, aren’t stopping beachgoers though, as Flaherty went on to note, “The beach attendance has been really good. The first day we had 70 people…we’ve got over 40 kids signed up for swimming lessons…The events that’ve been held at the beach have seen record-breaking attendance. The Strawberry Social had about 150 people.”

Closing out her comments, Flaherty asked and gained board approval of the new summer beach schedule. “What we need to do is formally adopt the supervisor’s special summer beach schedule of events,” Flaherty stated. “So that children are covered under village insurance for these.”

At the same meeting, the board also approved a donation from the Houses family of an Adirondack chair to the beach, in memory of Doris House.