COLUMBUS, OH -- A partnership between two divisions of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) will improve boating and fishing access at Grand Lake St. Marys State Park in Mercer and Auglaize counties for thousands of campers each year.
Ohio State Parks and the ODNR Division of Wildlife combined resources this year to improve the boat launch ramp at the park's campground, spending about $30,400 to upgrade the facility. The new boat launch will be dedicated on October 11.
More than 1.3 million people visit Grand Lake St. Marys each year, said ODNR Director Sam Speck. This project makes it easier for those visitors to enjoy the lake and its many recreational opportunities.
The ODNR Division of Wildlife contributed $25,800 from the Wildlife Boater Angler Fund, established in 2001, toward the project. The money went to construct a new concrete launch ramp; two new handicap accessible courtesy docks; 200 feet of concrete sea wall; a new light pole; and a new information kiosk. It also paved the boat ramp approach and tie-down area.
Ohio State Parks spent $4,600 to construct and install seven tie-up docks, and to provide additional gravel and drainage improvements. Grand Lake St. Marys State Park personnel constructed and installed the tie-up docks, resulting in significant savings on the project. Only registered campers will be permitted to use the ramp during the spring and summer recreational season. During the fall and winter, the ramp will be open to all park users.
Grand Lake St. Marys, with 13,500 acres of water, is an excellent fishing lake. Anglers enjoy significant catches of crappie, bass and bluegill in the spring, as well as record catches of yellow perch in the fall and winter. Campers and anglers from most of Ohio, as well as eastern Indiana, are drawn to the lake each year.
For Further Information Contact:
Doug Maloney, ODNR Division of Wildlife
(937) 372-9261
-or-
Andy Ware, ODNR Media Relations
(614) 265-6882