Conneaut Lake Park to Expand Picnic Operations with Help from State Grant

© Conneaut Lake Park

The little park that could has had another recent success, being awarded a $112,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.  The grant will be used to redevelop picnic pavilions, allowing the Trustees of Conneaut Lake park, who operate the facility, to build six new pavilions.

The project would allow the property to attract large groups that want to have picnics, such as family reunions, company outings and more.  The grant will cover about 50% of the funds needed for the project, which also includes tearing down several older pavilions.  The park hopes to be able to have the pavilions done for the 2020 season, however they need to finish items related to the grant and get appropriate approvals for the work so it will be a tight schedule.

© Conneaut Lake Park

Each season Conneaut Lake Park, which dates back to 1892, has been growing and improving after a good deal of troubling financial years.  In 2019 a slew of improvements debuted at the park, including the Ferris wheel seen above.  The park also added a smaller Ferris wheel in the kids area, made cosmetic improvements, added new roofs around the park, new paint, additional lockers, restroom improvements and even work on the famous Blue Streak roller coaster.

For ride fans, the Blue Streak is the most important reason to see the park continue its streak of success.  The Ed Vettel designed ride opened in 1938 and is about as classic as a wooden coaster can be in current day.