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| Crystal Lake’s “World’s Largest Bullhead” was spruced up in 2007 by local artist Andy Sinnwell. |
Enjoy the Labor Day holiday at beautiful Crystal Lake Park
By Jesusa Christians, Of the News-Tribune
(This is the last in a series of Fun-On-A-Tank destination points.)
Crystal Lake - Labor Day weekend is usually very busy, with people trying to get in some vacation time before the summer comes to an end.
It is a time of boating, swimming, picnicking, and simply getting together with some friends. What better way to bring summer to a close then by celebrating your Labor Day at the Crystal Lake Park, located one mile north of Crystal Lake.
“We are the busiest we have been in the last five years,” said Park Ranger and Natural Resource Manager, Jeff Schmidt. “A lot of people are staying closer to home, because of higher fuel prices.”
Schmidt credits the park's recent popularity to this past years dredging of the lake, which has provided a cleaner lake, making for better swimming and fishing.
“We have also added three log cabins to our park,” he said. “We rent them out for about $60 a night and $80 on the holidays.”
The cabins are equipped with running water and modern bathrooms. A living room and kitchen make it possible for vacationers to prepare their own meals. A fire pit in front of each cabin provides great atmosphere for those that like campfires.
The location of the cabins provides a sense of privacy and is a perfect location for winter sports such as sledding. “It's close by to the sledding hill,” said Schmidt. “It's convenient because people can run in and warm up and then go back out to sledding.”
The cabins can accommodate about five people and are furnished with bunk beds, a futon and dinette set. No phones or televisions are provided, but vacationers are welcome to supply their own.
“We supply kitchen utensils but no linen,” said Schmidt. “People should bring their own towels, pillows, sheets and blankets.”
Crystal Lake is a natural lake that offers a variety of activities that include a beach for swimming with an outside shower to rinse off. Volleyball, basketball and Frisbee golf courts as well as horseshoe pits provide some old fashioned fun .
Picnic tables are scattered though out the park and campgrounds. “For $12 a night, campers can enjoy camping close by the lake,” said Schmidt. “We have 65 campsites with electric and 30 non. We also provide free firewood, when it's available.”
Park facilities are located at the top of the hill and are handicapped accessible. Picnic tables are also located near the lake, which make it possible to keep a watchful eye on the kids swimming while you sit and relax. A shelter house with electricity can also be reserved for $10 a day for private family gatherings.
The lake has a variety of waterfowl, bullheads, catfish, perch, large mouth bass and carp, that provides fisherman with great summer or ice fishing opportunities depending on the season.
Trails around the lake make for easy access for fishing. “I come here often,” said Frank Haugland. “The fishing is better now than it was before the lake got dredged. Some days the fishing is good and some days not so good.”
Have yourself a picnic. Rent a cabin overnight or for the weekend. Go boating, jet skiing or bring out your paddle boat and laze around the beautiful lake all day, but get out there and enjoy these last warm summer days.
Take some much-deserved time to de-stress and head down to Crystal Lake Park this Labor Day weekend. It's close by and will make an inexpensive fun-on-a-tank adventure.
Parties interested in renting cabins should contact Crystal Lake Park Ranger, Jeff Schmidt at 641-565-3560.
Story created Aug 26, 2008 - 09:25:38 CDT.
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