The Sierra Club members did a great job of helping keep the horse power limit on Cowan Lake! Now a new non-profit has been formed to support Cowan Lake State Park and Sierra Club members can help by becoming a friend of the Friends Caring for Cowan Lake State Park. It is free to join and you will get an email newsletter about activities and enjoy pictures of nature from the Lake. To join, go to www.cowanlakestatepark.com or Friends Caring for Cowan Lake State Park on Facebook. The more Friends, the more the political systems will listen to the needs of the State Parks and when issues arise, a mailing list will be in place.
The mission of the Friends Caring for Cowan (FCC) is to preserve, protect, and promote the natural resources of the park. The mission will be accomplished in three ways. First, sponsoring events to attract the public to the park. On April 22, 2017 a 'Spring into Wildflowers' event was held. It included wildflower walks, and the trillium were spectacular! It also included a lesson in painting with acrylic art and a nature journaling workshop. Another event that FCC will help to sponsor this year is the annual Full Moon Canoe in July, when we go out into the lotus cove, enjoy the sunset, and then watch the full moon rise together. June 18th is a Paddle Palooza, an opportunity to try out different canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddle boards with a number of dealers showing their products. July 22 and 23 is Cowan Lake Fest with many activities, camping on the public beach, canoe and kayak races, and more. All events are family friendly, go to the website for more details.
Second, FCC volunteers support park projects such as converting a cabin into an environmental center, another cabin into a nature center, a youth fishing pond, and a new paddle launch facility. The new canoe and kayak launch area will be perfect for meet-ups and training events.
Third, is to speak for the Ohio Park system, specifically Cowan Lake. The more Friends we have the more people will listen to us. Please consider joining our efforts and preserving Cowan Lake!