The newly restored Lake Darling is now full. The dam was set in February, allowing the lake to begin impounding water. According to President of Friends of Lake Darling, FayVittetoe, it took until Wednesday of last week for water levels to reach the new shoreline.
With progress being made on other portions of the project, like the fishing trail around the lake and the repaving of the park’s roads, a grand opening could be held as soon as July 1st. Vittetoe says that’s a tentative date, and will change if work is delayed.
One date that’s set in stone is the re-dedication of the state park. That’s set for September 17th, 64 years after the park’s namesake, Jay N Ding Darling, closed the dam to Lake Darling in 1950. She says the grand opening will include a ribbon cutting and community picnic, while tours of the park and a program will be held the day of the re-dedication