Grand Lake Community Highlights Safety, Wetlands, and New Park Projects at May Meeting

To watch the meeting:

Click Here

SAINT MARYS, Ohio — Despite a frosty morning on May 2, community members gathered at Grand Lake St. Marys to discuss ongoing lake improvements, environmental initiatives, and future park developments. The community meeting showcased extensive behind-the-scenes work by local volunteers, scientists, and park officials.

A Continued Commitment to Lake Safety

Grand Lake Rec Club President Brad Fisher outlined the organization's expansive safety and cleanup efforts, noting that the club has grown to include approximately 180 families and 20 supportive businesses. Following a tragic accident on the lake five years ago involving Trevor Mobley, the Mobley family's foundation partnered with the Rec Club to increase nighttime visibility on the water. Over the last five years, the foundation has brought over $130,000 to the project.

These funds have directly equipped the lake and local agencies with several safety improvements:

• The installation of 26 illuminated buoys and 45 blinking lights to guide boaters safely.

   

   

• Reflective safety buckets placed along rock piers for low-cost hazard marking.

   

   

• Annual donations of $4,000 to $8,000 to local fire departments in Celina, Montezuma, and St. Marys Township for vital rescue equipment, including ice water rescue suits.

   

   

A major highlight of the Rec Club's recent work is the deployment of their modified pontoon boat, the "Log Dog". Originally purchased for $1,200, the vessel recently received $13,000 in upgrades, including a new electric winch, a heavy-duty grapple, and a 15-inch sonar unit. Fisher detailed a recent extraction of an 80-foot log from Prairie Creek Beach that required five chainsaws and multiple volunteers to dismantle.

Water Quality and Wetland Updates

Dr. Stephen Jacquemin, a professor at Wright State Lake Campus, reported that the local treatment wetlands are actively processing millions of gallons of water. Improvements at the Prairie Creek Wetland will allow the site to maintain a treatment schedule of 1.5 to 2 million gallons a day.

Dr. Jacquemin shared positive metrics on the wetlands' filtration capabilities:

• The wetlands are currently removing about 68 percent of nitrogen.

   

   

• The wetlands are filtering out about 62 percent of phosphorus.

   

   

• The wetlands are eliminating roughly 21 percent of sediment from the water.

   

   

While phosphorus levels entering the lake have seen steep, long-term declines, Dr. Jacquemin noted a recent, concerning uptick in nitrogen levels. He also addressed a recent spike in algal toxins, which reached 66 to 67 micrograms per liter before dropping back down to just over 20 micrograms per liter.

Park Developments and Upcoming Events

Grand Lake State Park Manager Dave Faler announced that the park is currently managing 11 different capital improvement projects, the most he has seen in his career since 1995. These include pouring footers for a new camp store and office project.

Other community leaders highlighted upcoming additions and events:

• New Kayak Launch: A new kayak launch will be installed later this month on state-owned property near the old Shockers restaurant on Pump Pit Island, featuring parking for 8 to 10 vehicles.

   

   

• All Abilities Playground: The Lake Improvement Association (LIA) is actively fundraising to install a poured rubber surface at the East Bank All Abilities Playground, aiming for completion before the handicap fishing derby in September.

   

   

• West Bank Ribbon Cutting: A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the West Bank's new ADA dock, shelter house, and playground is scheduled for May 22.

   

   

• Bicycle Poker Run: The Rec Club will host its annual Bicycle Poker Run fundraiser on Saturday, June 14.