Turn Cedar Lake into a recreational gem

As I drive through Cedar Rapids on Interstate 380, I see a huge potential opportunity for recreational activity, economic impact and visual enhancement to the image of Cedar Rapids.

This opportunity is Cedar Lake.

Work has been done by different groups, and this has helped. But since the flood, the lake continues to silt in with no flow from the old steam plant. It eventually will become a dead lake.

Friends of Cedar Lake has been formed to revitalize this area. It is a major undertaking, and support is needed from our local, state and federal agencies to make this area a place to be utilized by people of all ages.

Flood protection is a must for this whole area to become a destination. I question why such huge amounts of money are going to be funneled into statues and splash pads in Greene Square Park and why we're creating greenway parks when we're not taking care of an urban lake that sits in the heart of our city.

It will be a travesty if we don't do what's right and turn Cedar Lake into a gem for our city.

Ron Valenta

Cedar Rapids