COLUMBUS, OH -- Workers are putting the finishing touches on more than $2.6 million in improvements to the campground and cottages at Pymatuning State Park in Ashtabula County, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
Work began a year ago to update the park's wastewater treatment and sewer collection systems that serve the 300-plus site campground, 33 standard (seasonal) cottages, and 27 family (year-round) cottages. In all, about 16,000 feet of new sanitary sewer pipe was laid and two wastewater treatment plants were upgraded during the project. The design will allow for more efficient processing of wastewater and accommodate additional future upgrades in sanitary facilities at the park.
Additional improvements included asphalt pavement restoration, painting of the campground's shower houses, construction of six pull-through campsites to accommodate larger recreational vehicles, upgrading 18 campsites to premium sites with water, sewer and 50-amp electrical hook-ups, and installation of new concrete sidewalks to all the standard cottages. Portions of the campground, which closed last year for the construction project, reopened in May.
"Visitors to Pymatuning State Park may not be able to see all the improvements we've made, but they will certainly be able to experience and appreciate them," said Dan West, Ohio State Parks chief. "This project greatly improved efficiency of wastewater and sanitary facilities used by all park guests."
In addition to the campground improvements, repairs were performed on several of the park's cottages. All cottage facilities reopened August 2 in response to heavy demand for fall rentals.
"People were anxiously awaiting completion of the cottages," West noted.
Throughout the construction period, the park's popular swimming beach, boating facilities and picnic areas remained in use.
Ohio State Parks feature eight resort lodges, more than 500 cottages and 57 family campgrounds with more than 9,000 campsites. For rental information, contact the individual park or call 1-800-BUCKEYE.