INDIAN LAKE STATE PARK
MANAGER, FRANK GIANNOLA

Frank Giannola ,Indian Lake State Park Manager is ready for the 2007 season.

Mr. Giannola expects 2007 to be a good year for the park.Taking the reins at the beginning of the 2002 summer season, he comes well qualified to head the State Park facilities. A graduate of both Ohio State University, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Parks and Recreation Administration and of the 11th Ranger Academy, Mr. Giannola has worked at 5 state parks, Alum Creek, Punderson, Indian Lake, West Laramie, and Grand Lake Saint Mary. He is at home at Indian Lake having worked as assistant park manager from 1984 - 1995.

As Manager of Indian Lake State Park, Mr. Giannola intends to focus on creating better access to the area, improving the campground trails and upgrading the electrical facilities. Also on his wish list are more cabins. Mr. Giannola also manages Kiser State Park sharing time between both parks.

New this year are upgraded new water treatment, improved riprap around shorelines for fishing and 1.2 miles added to the bike/walking trail/ The bike trail now goes across to Old Field Beach.

• long hours in the sun causes fatique
• slower boats have the right away
• Indian Lake is a shallow lake with large open zone areas and changes in weather conditions can cause the lake to get rough quickly
• Observe the 10 miles/ hour speed limit for night boating.

2007 project will be in the Avondale Channel - completed, Seawall repair at Moundwood - ongoing, Cranberry Bay - completed, Pew Island Jetty - completed, Prairie Wall Spoil Area - ongoing, Indian Lake Shores Channel - ongoing

Using the larger Ellicott suction dredge, Dredge operators will be dredging the Lucy's Pond area out to the main lake . The use of another dredge is rotated from various Ohio parks and it is Indian Lake's turn to use it for this season. Dredging will take place off Tecumseh Island and in the Cranberry bay area. The dredge will be operating 4-10 hour days each week - usually Monday through Thursday.

"The suction dredge comes with all the newest technology available to day. It's hydraulic driven, pushes ahead to dig two feet at a time, is totally computerized, much lighter, has better fuel economy and is much easier to operate," said Former Park Manager, Dave Helgeson. "It has the capacity to move silt up to 5,000 feet. Our old dredge boat was stationary, meaning it didn't have the maneuverability or the moving parts this one has. With the old boat we couldn't go from side to side in a channel without first moving and repositioning the boat. With this one, we can position it once and let the arm do the maneuvering," Mr. Helgeson explained.

Boaters at Indian Lake are advised to take precautions when traveling near either of the lake's dredgers. When the dredger is not operational the lines used to transport the dredge material float on the surface, which makes them easy to see. When in use, however, the lines sink. Boaters can recognize them through the use of floating orange balls which are attached to the lines. Hitting one of the lines could damage props or other parts of their boat.

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Improvement Projects

Lakeview Bikeway Extension - Berm work, landscaping, and signage will complete the project May 15th, 2007.
Pew Island/Cherokee Trail
Renovation work was completed on both Trails to improve accessibility and use by visitors.
Boater Access Improvemeents -

Lakewview Harbor dock post addition.

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New Multi Purpose Building at the Indian Lake State Park Campground

For the past several years, the camper host volunteers have been fund raising for the purpose of constructing a multi purpose building at the State Park campground. Thru their efforts and the contributions of the Indian Lake Development Corporation, over $27,000 in private donation monies were raised for this project. The main structure was completed in August of 2006. Electrical service, lighting, shelving, tables and chairs will be added to make this building ready for use in 2007. This building will serve as a meeting place, a family reunion destination, a place for park programs, movies, biology classes, special events and many other activities. The Ohio Division of Parks and Recreation and the Indian Lake/Kaiser Lake Region expresses their sincere thanks and gratitude to the park volunteers and the Indian Lake Development Corporation for this wonderful contribution.
Indian Lake State Park Manager, Frank Giannola

LAND ACQUISITION 3.5 million dollars from a Capital Improvements bill for land acquisition purchased two properties: The 83 acre Duff property on the east side of the lake south of the O'Connor farm The 43 acre Wolf property which is located on both sides of State Route 368 between Moundwood and Lake Ridge resort. Plans for the PropertyIndian Lake State Park is planning on taking part in a project with several agency partners which would establish a prairie on 50 acres of the newly acquired Duff property. Partnerships in this project are Pheasants Forever, Indian Lake Watershed Project, OSU Extension Logan County, Logan County Soil and Water Conservation District, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Ohio Division of Wildlife. Fifty acres of an existing field will be planted in native prairie grasses. The prairie grasses will be maintained offering nesting and winter cover for pheasants and other ground nesting birds. Cattle will be allowed to graze on the land during months when cool season grasses are depressed. The project will demonstrate native tall prairie establishment and the numerous benefits. These would include grasses that excel during drought periods, superior nesting/winter habitat for ground birds and mammals, and hunting opportunities. The project will also demonstrate co-benefits of grasslands for grazing cattle while still protecting the benefits for wildlife.

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Lewistown Reservoir

This reservoir is located in the northwestern part of Logan County. The original lake was constructed in 1851 and 1852 under a special act of the General Assembly. It was formed by constructing a dam across the Miami River, and by throwing up embankments across the adjacent lowland, flooding an area of about 1,000 acres, including the original pond known as "Indian Lake." The work of enlarging the reservoir was commenced in 1856 and after various delays, was completed in 1860, at a total cost of $341,126.33. The state acquired 7,514 acres of land for the construction of the reservior, but 1,148 acres were not needed and were therefore sold at different times. There are thirty-two acres of the original tract outside the reservior, having 6,334 acres. Of this, 200 acres are included in the embankments and a 50-foot strip adjacent thereto, so that the water area at the present time is 6,134 acres. Its watershed, exclusive of the reservoir area, is 101 square miles. It is a beautiful body of water, and a mecca for hunters and fishermen during the hunting and fishing seasons. Several electric roads, soon to be constructed, will connect this attractive lake with surrounding cities and towns, and in the near future it will become a favorite summer resort. It was made a public park by the act of the General Assembly, passed April 19th, 1898, under the name of "Indian Lake."
Back to Lake History
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Rentals

The bicycle rental in the camp area will continue as in the past season. Rental payment is collected at the Commissary. The bicycles are stored, signed out and maintained at the Check Station. VIP Dick Andrew has been doing a yeoman's job keeping the bicycles up and running. Rental rates are $6.50 per hour, tax included.

Paddle boats and kayaks both single and double, canoes, and row boats all rent for $6.50 per hour plus tax.
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Putt Putt

The Putt Putt course was operational as of the Memorial Holiday weekend. Ken Stackler and Mark Dague have installed a chainlink fence around three sides of the course. An attractive custom designed wooden fence and gateway have been installed on the front side which faces the Commissary. Curt Nielsen has advised the electric service will be installed soon to operate the mechanisms on the course and supply supplemental lighting to extend the facility operation into the evenings.
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Outpost

A new "Outpost" has been established in the Camp Area. The boat rental operation that was operated at the Oldfield Area last season has been moved and is fully operational at the Group Area in the Indian Lake State Park Campground. Currently 4 pedal boats, 2 canoes and 2 rowboats are available to rent to the campers and visitors. All watercraft rent for $6.50 per hour, tax included.
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