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| ODNR Director Sam Speck, Lake Loramie Manager George Sholtis, President of Lake Loramie Improvement Association Doug Winner, President of Earl's Island Pavilion Committee Dan Lawrence, Ohio State Parks Chief Dan West, ODNR Assistant Director Glen Alexander |
COLUMBUS, OH The Lake Loramie Improvement Association was recently recognized by Ohio State Parks with its highest award for the group's partnership with
Lake Loramie State Park, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
The association received the Ohio State Parks Chief’s Award for its efforts to work closely with the state park staff and local community on construction of the 40-foot by 60-foot Earl’s Island Picnic Pavilion at the park.
Ohio State Parks’ Chief Dan West presented the award to Doug Winner, president of the Lake Loramie Improvement Association and Dan Lawrence, president of the Earl’s Island Pavilion Committee.
The improvement association dates to 1939, before there were state parks in Ohio, and has a long, rich history of enhancing and protecting the resources within the Lake Loramie community.
Their latest project, the Earl’s Island Picnic Pavilion, was one that the entire community rallied around with donations from families and businesses totaling $180,000 above and beyond the $150,000 goal. The extra funds were used to construct a playground, volleyball court, horseshoe court and walking path around the pavilion.
The pavilion features a soaring double-sided stone fireplace and pocket doors that allow it to be divided for multiple use as well as for year-round use. Its location near the water provides easy access to boaters.
The Chief's Award was created in 1998 to recognize outstanding and creative examples of community or local partnerships with an Ohio State Park. This is the eighth Chief's Award to be presented. Lake Loramie State Park, located in Shelby County, offers visitors a quiet retreat in rural Ohio. Its features include a 161-site campground, 600 foot sandy beach, several miles of hiking and biking trails, and plenty of boating opportunities.