More Boat-Camp and Swim Areas Designated
ODNR announces it is providing more areas on its state park lakes for recreational boaters to enjoy swimming and overnight stays on their boats. These expanded boating privileges result from a shared agreement between the Division of Watercraft and Division of Parks and Recreation in response to comments provided to ODNR by Ohio boaters.
 “It was significant first to obtain input from our various watercraft and state park region managers as to where they believed boaters could safely enjoy more opportunities to swim and to stay overnight on their boats in designated areas,” said Pamela Dillon, chief of the Division of Watercraft. “This was our primary action in responding to comments we received from Ohio boaters seeking more of these opportunities.”
“Once these newly proposed areas were together identified and reviewed by our respective administrative staffs in Columbus, we came to a shared agreement that benefits park visitors and satisfies our concerns with regard to public safety and proper use of our state park resources,” said Dan West, chief of the Ohio State Parks.
The decision appears to be a win-win solution that could result in extended stays and a renewed interest in boating activities at state parks where boat camp and swim areas have been added.
Boat swim areas have been adjusted on Lake Logan and Alum Creek, Caesar Creek, Dillon and Salt Fork lakes.
 Boat camping areas have been expanded at Buck Creek, Buckeye, Burr Oak, Caesar Creek, Dillon, Grand Lake St. Marys, Guilford, Hueston Woods, Indian, Middle Bass Island, Paint Creek, Rocky Fork and Salt Fork state parks. The number of state park marinas that now will permit overnight stays on boats also increased.
The Division of Watercraft and the Division of Parks and Recreation are updating information on their respective web sites and brochures to inform boaters of these expanded boat swim and camp areas. Marker buoys will gradually be placed in water areas to further designate where these new boat swim and camp zones are located. State park brochures will include a listing of the new and current sites as they are reprinted in future years. |