Ideas floated for lake and state park

Residents complain of lack of facilities, vegetation in water

CORTLAND -- Getting rid of the thick vegetation in the waters of Mosquito Lake or adding cabins and a lodge to the park are just some of the ideas that residents, environmental agency representatives and local officials proposed for Mosquito Lake State Park.

More than 40 people gathered Thursday at the Trumbull County Agricultural Center where state Sen. Sandra O'Brien, R-Lenox, listened to ideas on how to enhance the park.

"We want to see what is going on at Mosquito Lake and what we can do to help. Money is available at the state and federal level. There is a massive infrastructure bill coming from the federal government, and we want to see what money is available for Mosquito Lake Park," O'Brien said.

Those in attendance included Bazetta, Cortland and Mecca residents who live by the lake, as well as government officials from those areas who were asked what they would like to see added, changed or improved.

Ideas included remediating aquatic vegetation that has been a hazard to swimmers, jet skiers and boaters. A few years ago, a woman trying to assist a child drowned in an area with heavy vegetation.

"Our lake in general needs some serious attention. When you travel and go to any other lake in Ohio, it seems like everything is kept up and modernized and received attention. Our lake does not seem to have had that attention over the years," Howland administrator Darlene St. George said.

Vienna trustee Phil Pegg said boaters can't get into the bay or close to shore with all the vegetation.

Joe Sofchek, who runs the marina at the lake, said he hears complaints from people about the water level being too low for boating and the vegetation being too thick. He said some summer weekends thousands of people come to the park and lake.

State Rep. Michael O'Brien, D-Warren, said the lake is a water source for Warren, Champion, Howland and other communities, supplying thousands of people with drinking water.

"We need to be careful what chemical may be used in the water to address the vegetation since the lake is an important water source for 100,000 people," he said.

Other ideas included improving boat ramps off state Route 88 and 305, adding a nature / education center for local schools and colleges, enhancing nature trails, building lodges and cabins for year-round stays at the park, improving water quality, additional public dock areas, adding more trash cans by the causeway and adding more hiking trails.

Zachary Svette, executive director of Trumbull County MetroParks, said the state needs to provide more funds in the budget for state parks.

Those in attendance suggested having short-term, medium-term and long-term projects.

Trumbull County Commissioner Frank Fuda said the lake and park are some of the biggest assets in the county, but improvements are needed.

Cortland resident Jeff Musick said he would like to see better access to the lake and park. He also said the area by the causeway in Mecca has litter and debris all the time.

Cortland Mayor Deidre Petrosky said, "The lake is a gem, but before we do anything with it, it needs to be clean and safe."

She said Cortland is working on a revitalization plan to be completed by end of the year and implemented in 2022.

Mecca Trustee Christen Clemson said the causeway is a big part of Mecca, but littering and lighting issues are a problem. She also said better boat docks are needed.

"I hope to get some action done. Just having more trash cans will help," resident Donna Green said.

Dennis Malloy of Bazetta said 1.6 million people visit yearly to the park and lake, including many tourists from out of the area.

"When it comes to recreation, our lake draws more people than any other place in northeast Ohio except Lake Erie. We have the second-largest lake in the state. We get the people, but they are only here for the day and they leave. We need local places for them to stay overnight," Malloy said.

He suggested those who have court fines or prisoners do community service by cleaning up around the causeway and park.