MIFFLIN — Charles Mill Lake Park unveiled its renovated marina Friday — after nearly a year of construction.
The $1.2 million project modernized the marina’s houseboat docking area with new infrastructure and improved access.
Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District Executive Director Craig Butler said the project was a collaborative effort between the conservancy district, state officials and marina operators to improve one of the region’s recreational assets.
“We want to thank the General Assembly for trusting us with $900,000 of the $1.2 million for this project,” Butler said.
The project began more than two years ago, after state Sen. Mark Romanchuk challenged MWCD to quickly develop plans that could compete for funding through the state’s one-time Strategic Community Investment Fund.
“If you can help me design this in two weeks, I’ll submit it to the General Assembly for some grant funding,” Butler recalled Romanchuk saying.
The final project improved the houseboat marina with:
- New concrete docks.
- Abutments.
- Electrical and water hookups for boats.
- New concrete pedestrian walkway.
- Expanded parking.
- Stormwater management improvements.
Stairways are still under construction and landscaping will continue into the fall.
Butler said the marina improvements are part of the MWCD’s larger effort to invest in recreation throughout the region.
“Here at the Conservancy, it’s part of a much larger effort that we’ve been doing over the last 15 years, and by the time 2030 comes, we’ll have invested over $350 million in the regional economy,” Butler said.
Marina co-owners Bob and Andrew Schraedly also contributed financially to the project, in addition to the state’s investment and MWCD funding.
Construction began last fall, but faced several delays because of weather.
Butler said rising lake levels flooded the construction zone with about 8 feet of water. Construction had to pause until conditions improved. Cold winter temperatures also delayed concrete work.
“They basically had to pull everything out and wait for it to dry,” Butler said.
The project also included shoreline stabilization to reduce erosion and improve the surrounding environment.
Walking through the completed marina after the ceremony, Butler said the transformation is dramatic.
“This is a home run project for us,” Butler said. “We’re thankful for both the financial as well as organizational support from everybody that participated in this.”
See more photos from the ribbon-cutting ceremony:
