Renovations are continuing at the Alum Creek Marina, and a boat dock lottery takes place in April.
“The Alum Creek Marina project is scheduled to be completed early this summer,” said Carey Santiana, an Ohio Department of Natural Resources spokesperson, in an email. “Currently, new docks are being installed in the water and the abutments and rip-rap on the surrounding land are being completed.”
The marina, in Alum Creek State Park near Lewis Center, is receiving $4 million in upgrades.
“No general use tax dollars were used to fund construction of the marina,” states the ODNR in a news release. “It was built with funds from the Waterways Safety Fund, which consists of watercraft registration and title fees, a share of the state motor fuel tax and funding through the U.S. Coast Guard.”
The main improvement is larger boat slips.
“Some of these improvements will include new, larger docks featuring full electric and water utility connections,” Santiana said. “Additionally brand new dock piles and new above ground fuel storage will be added. The new docks and overall boating experience at Alum Creek will be significantly improved once the updates are finished.”
When the renovations were originally announced in June 2015, Mike Miller of the Division of Watercraft said a 2018 completion date was realistic. Miller said Gov. John Kasich committed $88 million in upgrades to the state’s park system in 2015. He said much work will get done in the next two years, and promised better communication with boat owners.
Boat owners may apply for the dock lottery by visiting the Alum Creek State Park administrative office, 3305 Old State Road, Delaware, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-noon and 1-4:30 p.m. Applications may also be returned via certified mail by Friday, April 28. Submit a current copy of their boat registration and title with the lottery application.
The lottery drawing takes place at the office at 9 a.m. May 6, but applicants need not be present. Lottery winners will be notified via email, and their names will be posted at the office.
Lottery winners must attend a dock holder meeting on Saturday, May 20. For information, call 740-548-4631.
“Due to the potentially shortened season for the new docks, lease holders will receive a discount for this upcoming boating season,” Santiana said. “Beginning with the 2018 boating season, full-season rates will apply.”
With 3 million visitors a year, Alum Creek is the second most-visited park in the state, trailing only Hocking Hills.
