News

Future lake park grows

The town of Laurel Park is adding more land to the future Lake Rhododendron Nature Park.

By , Published: April 23, 2012

LAUREL PARK — The town of Laurel Park is adding more land to the future Lake Rhododendron Nature Park.

The $43,000 purchase of an adjoining lot is expected to close by the end of this month, Town Manager Jim Ball told the Town Board last week.

The town partnered with Clearwater Environmental on a stream restoration project on the 10-acre dry lake bed, which comes at no charge to the town because it's a mitigation trade from development elsewhere in the state, Ball said. Nature lovers need not lace up their hiking boots quite yet.

"It will be at least three years to get to final completion," Ball said. "We hope to start on the stream restoration in the next 18 months It's being used a development credit. That helps us free up more funds to do a nicer job once the stream gets moved."

Later known as Laurel Park Lake, Rhododendron Lake was one of the many attractions built in the early 1900s by Laurel Park developer and civic leader W.A. Smith.

"Swimming and picnicking were popular activities here," says the text for a historic marker the Laurel Park Civic Association plans to erect.

"Cars parked along the wide beach and other visitors arrived by electric streetcar. The Laurel Park Casino was located partially over this lake and was a popular dance venue featuring nationally known orchestras. Electric lights beside the lake provided a beautiful night-time glow. A slide with carts catapulted bathers into the water. A diving platform was located in the lake's center. Smith also built a canal connecting this lake with Rainbow Lake to the north."