6 minute read
Edmond Life and Leisure - June 20, 2024
For decades, Edmond residents and thousands of visitors, have relished the natural beauty of Arcadia Lake.
The getaway options right here at Arcadia Lake
From City Source Edmond
Sometimes, when she’s enjoying the water, the trails, the natural setting and all that Arcadia Lake has to offer, Jennifer Fields forgets just how close to home she really is.
“Don’t underestimate the beauty,” said Fields, who is a member of the Arcadia Lake Commission and serves on the Visit Edmond Tourism Board. “When you are on the water at the lake, or out enjoying one of the many trails there, it feels like you are many, many miles from home – but you’re actually right in your backyard.”
And the goal is to make that backyard even more attractive and accessible.
The City of Edmond already has invested time and money in looking at ways to grow and improve the natural resource that is Arcadia Lake. Plans for growth and enhancements have been in the works for years but took on a more formal tone – and a more formal timeline – when it worked on the development of a master plan for the facility.
The Arcadia Lake Needs Analysis and Master Plan – nearly two years in the making and before it was reviewed and approved by City Council provides a map for the future of this exciting regional attraction along historic Route 66.
Already a popular destination for residents of Edmond and visitors throughout the region, the comprehensive review and analysis by LandPlan Consultants of Tulsa guided by a team of regular lake visitors dubbed “The Dream Team” provides a path forward. More than $2 million was designated from ARPA funds for infrastructure investment in support of the plan.
The aim is to protect the integrity of Arcadia Lake while helping it evolve into a modern and inclusive facility that will provide amenities to appeal to outdoor enthusiasts as well as the casual visitor looking for a new experience in a breathtaking setting.
This includes dreams for the community to see more hiking trails, an equestrian-friendly area for their horses, a restaurant on the lake and more.
“We are kicking off design work for the expansion and upgrade for several miles of trails and an ambitious connector project that will improve access to a lot of areas and amenities at the lake,” said Brad Raney the Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Edmond. “I think growing and connecting our trails will make them and the lake even more popular for many, many people. Those trails are a big draw for the lake, and the trail projects will connect them all together.
“Eventually, the idea is to connect the lake trails with trails that will connect them to other parks and venues closer to downtown, which will make the entire system more accessible and offer up alternative modes of transportation for people looking to enjoy what Arcadia Lake has to offer.”
More and more people are doing that.
Last month, the lake saw one of its busiest weekends – if not the busiest weekend ever. More than 5,500 vehicles entered Arcadia Lake for Memorial Day weekend – compared to a car count of more than 3,100 on Memorial Day weekend in 2023. And those are just the day-use vehicle counts, which do not include camping totals.
“The current focus is the trails and continuing the momentum behind that,” Fields said. “There is time and investment now in preparing for the future. The master plan’s goal is to be forward thinking but also mindful of how we can increase the attractions and the work toward growth at the lake while repairs and enhancements are done to better serve citizens now as we look to the future.
“Arcadia Lake is a great asset for our citizens and community right now, but there hasn’t been a lot of change or significant upgrades since the 1980s, so the opportunity for growth is there.”
The lake offers four different park areas – Carl Reherman Park, Central State Park, Edmond Park and Scissortail Campground – and truly is a place for all seasons. In winter, visitors can watch wildlife including the bald eagles or fish for bluegill, bass or catfish in the covered, heated fishing dock. In the spring, they can play disc golf or take a hike on the rustic, scenic trails. Summertime water sports include boating, skiing, and swimming.
Amidst autumn's colorful leaves and cool breezes, campers can choose from four parks and more than 140 campsites. Whether they want to "rough it" or park an RV at a fully equipped campground with picnic tables, charcoal grills, electrical outlets, and community showers, Arcadia Lake is the perfect outdoor place.
Arcadia Lake has long been known as a haven for boaters and skiers. Sailboats and windsurfers cruise across endless expanses of water, while boaters and skiers ride lake waves. There are several boat ramps for easy access to the lake and the Rusty Store, which offers fishing equipment, bait, paddle boat rentals, and more. Ramps are located at Central State Park, Edmond Park and Spring Creek Park and there are several public swimming areas to choose from.
“Investing in Arcadia Lake makes sense for a number of reasons,” Raney said. “Obviously, there is the quality-of-life value it offers, with a wide variety of recreational opportunities – there is something for everybody out there. But there also is the economic development and tourism value the lake provides. A lot of people come from out of town to take advantage of all it has to offer.”
Those in small, intimate gatherings as well as in large groups will find that nature is a beautiful setting for the pavilions at Arcadia Lake. Each area is unique, scenic, secluded and surrounded by trees and is located near the lake shoreline or sitting atop a hill.
Arcadia Lake has excellent opportunities for those who like to go mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding. All trails are open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset.
“Arcadia Lake now has probably a lot of the same people who came out as a way to get away during COVID,” Fields said. “There was a surge in use during that time. But, with the master plan in place and the improvements being done in preparation for that, it’s not only an option for locals as a fun ‘stay-cation,’ it also will be a place for people to use as they travel – especially along Route 66 – once they see all the growth and improvements.
“As we continue moving forward, and add to all that Arcadia Lake has to offer, I think more and more people will realize just what is available here. They won’t have to drive to Eufaula Lake or Grand Lake to have the enhanced lake-side visit. There will be a lot of people who find their weekend has opened up and can run over to Arcadia Lake and enjoy the same kind of enhanced experience.”
Right in their backyard.
Learn more about Arcadia Lake at www.arcadialake.com.
Learn more about what’s happening around the City at www.edmondok.gov/CitySource.
