CURWENSVILLE – Curwensville Lake’s proposed Master Site Plan was revealed July 27 during a meeting at the Curwensville Civic Center.
Approximately one year of effort has been put into the revitalization and rejuvenation that has been long coming to the Curwensville Lake area. After the first public opinion meeting on Jan. 20, 2011, the three landscape representatives of Herbert, Rowland and Grubic, Inc. presented the steps taken to achieve their master plan for the Curwensville Lake. The representatives were Jim Feath, Nichole Mendinsky and Jim Watenpool.
The HRG representatives explained there will be five phases to develop this plan, each phase taking anywhere from three to five years to complete. The purpose being to also generate revenue from the renovations, which will ultimately provide funds needed to continue with the phases. They began with a study committee which gave HRG the ability to solicit the information needed, Feath said. Their plan’s goal was to meet the needs of citizens of the area and users of the facility. By using a study group it helps make goals realistic and achievable. They also used online surveys and key person interviews to collect the information needed to develop the master plan.
The main objectives of the master plan are to evaluate the best use of the park and develop a long-range plan for future development. The representatives also explained they go on site and walk the property and while surveying the park they check for liability issues as well.
“This is a big collection of big ideas,” Feath said, before he turned the presentation over to Mendinsky to explain details of the schematic plan.
Mendinsky gave an explanation of the map HRG developed beginning at the entrance of the park to the tip of the peninsula of the lake. She said their plan has an automated arm at the entrance of the lake. Currently the $2 admission into the lake is collected on the honor system, and this automated arm will guarantee the revenue the lake deserves and require people to pay on their way out of the park.
The next area Mendinsky explained was the camping area. The goal is to add a second loop, which will give an additional 28 RV spaces. The construction of five cabins was proposed along with a lodge, reserved for receptions and bigger events.
The marina area proposal consists of 216 floating docks, a baseball field, upgraded restroom facilities and the addition of another pavilion.
“The Point” area will expand the already existing beach and reconfigure the parking area and add additional parking. There are also proposed observation and conservation areas which will provide environmental education opportunities. At the very point of the lake there will also be a dog park with beach, which would be a unique addition to the lake. A proposed amphitheater will serve multiple purposes at the lake as well.
The bathhouse, sand volleyball, all restrooms and all playgrounds will also be rehabilitated. All the trails will also be revamped. There will also be the option for tent camping on the back side of the lake.
The representatives described the cost of the plan to be a “worst case scenario,” with construction costs. The proposed $8.1 million dollar worst case scenario plan may be funded in many different ways. Some ways are grants, donations, sponsorship, fundraising and in-kind services. There is also the opportunity for volunteers. They described the total as a lot of money, but if executed the right way it may be significantly reduced.