Time to revitalize Cedar Lake is now

The Gazette Opinion Staff

Jan. 11, 2014 12:46 pm

Cedar Lake has been called many things: the slough, a dumping ground for industrial waste, the home of chemically altered aquatic life. I call it a wonderful place to enjoy the great outdoors in the heart of our city. Every day, the lake is being fished and birds are being photographed. An occasional kayaker enjoys its peacefulness. The lake truly is a diamond in the rough. It can be so much more.

Friends of Cedar Lake is a coalition of stakeholders committed to creating community support to improve and protect the lake by developing and implementing a plan to improve water quality, enhance the fishery and provide additional recreational opportunities.

There are challenges that need to be resolved, but the lake can be used now. The Department of Natural Resources is getting close to giving it a clean bill of health for unlimited fishing.

Envision a place where you can rent paddle boats, play sand volleyball or hang out with your family for an afternoon. This spring, you will see more paddlers out on the water as docks are installed. You'll see events for runners and bikers and educational opportunities for kids. And that's only the beginning.

Think Gray's Lake in Des Moines. Think Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis. Think about Cedar Lake as an incredible asset for our community. Revitalization has been talked about for years. Now is the time to make it happen.

Felicia Wyrick

Cedar Rapids