Lemon-ade for Refreshment: Lemon Lake, IN
By Rick A. Richards Photos by Lake County Parks Department
Lemon Lake is a precedent setter. When it opened in 1972, it was the first park for Lake County. Today, Lake County has 12 parks, making it one of the most elaborate county park networks in Indiana.
“When it opened, it was a farm field and marsh and it was pretty much out in a farming area,” says Sandy Basala, superintendent of visitor services for the Lake County Parks Department. Today, the park is surrounded by residential development.
Lemon Lake is only about a half-mile from Cedar Lake, a small summer resort community in southern Lake County. Lemon Lake (named after a small marsh) was a complete unknown to county officials at the time.
“It was really out in the middle of nowhere,” says Basala. “It had traditionally been a farm and they didn’t know what to do with it, so developing it posed a bit of a challenge.”
The park, however, has evolved into a unique mix of recreation and family activity.
“It has a variety of recreational things—softball fields, sand volleyball courts, paddle boats on the weekend and fishing. It’s a good, family atmosphere,” says Basala. “And we have a huge playground.”
Lemon Lake is also becoming best known for disc golf. The park has four 18-hole courses and is host to the Indiana State Disc Golf Tournament. “It’s good exercise. You can come out, disc golf, walk along a green space and still exercise and enjoy the sun.”
And this year, from July 24-31, Lemon Lake will host the World Professional Disc Golf Championship.
Lemon Lake covers 403 acres, including a 14-acre leash-free dog area. The park has 10 picnic shelters that can be rented, a one-mile paved trail around the lake and more than five miles of primitive trails.
The park is at 6322 W. 133rd Ave., between Crown Point and Cedar Lake. Take Interstate 65 to the U.S. 231 exit and head west. At Indiana 55, turn south to 133rd Avenue. Turn west for three miles to the entrance. For more information, visit lakecountyparks.com.
