5/25/2007 9:13:00 AM A day at the lake Park ready for swimmers, boaters, anglers and fun-seekers
Bob Irwin, above, casts his line during a sunny afternoon this week at Rocky Fork Lake. In the lower photo, boats are lined up at the docks, ready for some summer fun.
By KATIE WRIGHT The Times-Gazette
Summer has unofficially arrived, and if a long weekend spent casting your line for catfish and bluegills, sailing across a windblown lake, or just enjoying a sunny afternoon on the beach sounds appealing to you, you live in the right county.
With Memorial Day just around the corner, Rocky Fork Lake State Park is making its summer activities available, offering a myriad of warm weather pastimes.
Stocked with bass, muskellunge, walleye, bluegill, crappie and catfish, the lake offers several piers, including a wheelchair accessible fishing pier on the southeast side of the lake.
New this year for anglers: 400,000 Saugeye fingerlings added to the lake just last week.
According to Jeff Boester, park manager for Ohio Division of Parks Region One, the fingerlings aren't the only thing that is new at Rocky Fork.
"As always, we have boating, fishing, picnicking, boat rentals and bait. But we now also have new pontune boats up for rental, and we've made some other changes, as well," he said.
The miniature golf course, which has been in need of repair, has been temporarily replaced by a large cornhole area in the campsite. The miniature golf course will be replaced in the fall.
Also new this season are expanded campsites, larger picnic areas, and renovated restrooms and shower houses.
"We have made a lot of improvements, especially in the campground area," Boester said. "We've worked mostly on first-impression things, like the restrooms and shower houses."
The park currently provides 16 boat launching ramps and three marinas, and has a designated area for boat campers. Horsepower is unlimited for boat motors.
For those who relish scenery and exercise, over four miles of hiking trails are available, including a two-mile mountain bike trail and an observation station for bird watching.
The northwest corner of the park boasts a total of 230 campsites suitable for trailers and tents. The campground offers showers, flush toilets, laundry facilities, a camp store and a beach.
Volleyball and playground equipment can be enjoyed both at the campground as well as the day-use area of the park. A basketball course, horseshoe pits and tetherball are available to registered campers.
Several sites are designated for camping with pets.
"We also have hand dipped ice cream served at the concession, which is of course a real favorite with the campers," Boester said.
Two public beaches, on the north and south sides of the lake, are available to the public. Both beaches provide changing booths and bathhouses.
A habitat for wild songbirds, waterfowl, raccoons, skunk, red fox and white-tailed deer, the park is an excellent place for nature observers.
The nature center near the campground is available to all park visitors, and regularly offers nature programs to those interested in learning more about the surrounding area.
The program schedule is available at the park office.
An estimated 7,000 visitors come to Rocky Fork State Park annually - and Boester is optimistic about the possibilities this year.
"We are just really looking forward to the summer," he said. "I think people will be really happy with all the work that has been done."
