Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Council ponders future of old lake

The Gurdon City Park, Gurdon Lake and the old Gurdon Lake were among the items discussed during the July meeting of the Gurdon City Council.

Gurdon Mayor Clayton Franklin said the park and lake are assets to the city, and the old Gurdon Lake could be valuable if the city had an opportunity to attract an industry that uses large amounts of water.

The park has seen less use recently and keeping the area litter-free has become an increasing demand on city employees. Franklin said the city has hired a couple to check on the condition of the park a few times each week, pick up trash and clean the restrooms. Opening the restrooms is another step in raising the standard of the park, Franklin said.

The park has come under scrutiny as plans for improving a walking trail began to take shape. Franklin said a grant is being sought to pay for some work on that project.

The mobile home that sits adjacent to the tennis courts is slated to be moved soon, as is the small building that was once used by a boy scout troop.

Though not yet scheduled, Franklin said he hopes the tennis courts can be resurfaced and said some cleanup on the volleyball court is planned.

Franklin said the Gurdon Rotary Club has also promised to build a gazebo at the walking trail site.

"I look forward to seeing some good things happen down there," Franklin said. "We'll get our park back up and shape and try to keep it up. It's something that we've got to take better care of."

Franklin said the facilities are an asset to the community, and said he seldom passes that there isn't someone using the park or fishing at the lake.

The lake at the park, known as the "new" Gurdon Lake, is maintained by the state Game and Fish Commission. Franklin said there is an effort underway to renovate the "old" Gurdon Lake, located on the east side of the railroad tracks, off Go-Devil Road.

The lake held water until a few years ago when the levy was broken. The property is owned by International Paper Company. Franklin said he hopes to have the land donated to the city and have the Game and Fish Commission maintain the lake.

The planning is still in the early stages, but Franklin said thanks to the work of local resident Tommy Potter and state Rep. Tommy Roebuck, the project "has taken wings" and appears to be a real possibility.

Franklin said the levy could easily be rebuilt to make the lake larger than it was originally. The county has agreed to build an access road to the site.

Franklin said one of the reasons to have the lake is for a future source of water. The lake could be opened for fishing unless the city needed the water supply.

Franklin said the city now has sufficient water, but if the wells failed, the lake would be a possible alternate supply. The water source could also be a drawing card for industries that require large amounts of water for daily operation. Franklin said if the city were fortunate enough to gain the attention of one of those industries, the water source could be an important factor in the decision-making process.

"You can never have too much water," Franklin said.

Meetings with the Game and Fish Commission and representatives of the Soil and Water Conservation District have been planned, Franklin said.

"It looks very favorable."