New trail adds to Lake atmosphere
6:09 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Usually Lake Shawnee is a peaceful place to get away from it all.
"Now that it's starting to warm up, yeah we like to make a day of it,” said Jerry Wiles, lake-goer. “We like to picnic out here at the lake and then afterwards we like to get a little fishing in."
For now, there's a little bit of noise, but all of this hard work will reveal a concrete path around the lake's perimeter.
"The trail itself is really going to kind of complete the Lake Shawnee Park,” said John Knight, Shawnee County Parks and Recreation Director. “We've got golf, we've got swimming, we've got paddle boating, fishing, and boating. This just really completes the process of just a nice leisurely walk, a jog, a bike ride, whatever you want to do at Lake Shawnee."
A bridge has been built on the north side of Lake Shawnee, connecting the east and west sides. Anglers hope fish will flock here, making a day on the lake that much better.
"Within a year or two, it'll provide a new habitat for them and bring them over to this side of the lake a little bit more,” Knight said.
Even with all the noise and clutter, those who frequent the lake just can't seem to stay away.
"They're not waiting for us to be open. They come right out and use it. They've been using it all along with this nice winter we've had,” Knight continued.
And also let’s not forget the newly built gazebo on the west side—something that will provide more than just a nice place to sit and relax.
"We've gone to a new gazebo and our first wedding is April 15th so it's coming along real good,” Knight said.
The west side's additions should be completed by Memorial Day weekend, while the east side's anticipated completion date is sometime during the year of 2008.
The parks and recreation department is also considering a proposal to make repairs to the baseball fields at the park.
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