Lakes & Lands Development

Conclusion:

1. Lawton is very fortunate to have two regional lakes to serve the Lawton/Ft. Sill area. Proper signage to the lakes from Highway 44 would increase tourist orientation of facilities.

2. With additional lodging accommodations provided within the lake region, a greater non-local population will visit the beauty of the Wichita Mountain recreational areas.

3. The management of the regional parks require an increase in staff to maintain these parks at a level of service expected by most tourist.

Priorities for Lakes & Lands

Projects are recommended by the Lakes and Lands Commission to be completed in order of priority unless specific funding becomes available for a project through a grant or another specified funding source.

Priority #1  Waste Water Treatment on Eastside of Lake Lawtonka

The City of Lawton, currently has a lease agreement with the Lakeland Addition Homeowners Association to use their lagoon system. The lease will expire on August 9, 2008. The wastewater being discharged into the lagoons comes from two locations, School House Slough and the East Campgrounds.

Increased campsites in the area have contributed to overloading of the current system. Staff is looking into alternative sites on City property to construct a new lagoon system or a possible treatment plant to facilitate its current and future desired services in the East Campground area. Future desired services this waste water system would need to accommodate, would be water and sewer hook-ups in the East Campground and possible cabin structures on the eastside of the lake.

(ODWC Grant)- - In Progress                                Estimated Cost: $250,000

Priority #2  Restrooms/Showers School House Slough

The current restroom/showers that serve the camping population in the School House Slough area has not been improved in years. The staff recommends that a grant application be submitted to the Department of Wildlife to resurface the parking lot and the boat ramp, along with the construction of a new restroom/shower facility to serve the capacity of the population being served in this area of the lake. Recommended by the Southwest Region Fisheries Supervisor that the City use funding to construct the waste water treatment system needed for this facility as the match, then ODWC would pay for 100% of the restroom facility.

 (ODWC Grant) - In Progress                          Estimated Cost:  $90,000

Priority #3  Entrance to East Campgrounds/Relocate Headquarters

The City of Lawton Lakes Division is the service point to the tourist, within the two regional lakes. To properly serve the traveler in the Lake region, a new office headquarters and visitor center is needed. The location for this facility would be in conjunction to a new entrance to the East Campground site on Lake Lawtonka off of Highway 58. The ability to have a control point of this high use area is necessary for the future planning of the Lake Lawtonka's recreational facilities.

(No Funding identified.)                                    Estimated Cost:  $150,000

Priority #4  Lake Ellsworth Employee House Renovation

This house (facility) has the potential to not only be used for city employees but also could be used as a rental facility to the public, with proper renovation and marketing. In the region of the two Lawton lakes, there is only two large in-door facilities that are available to the public for overnight lodging. One is the Bed and Breakfast at Medicine Park and the other is a lodge near Meers. This facility is on Lake front property, has a basketball court and park. The potential for this facility with proper planning can become an ideal place for family reunions and corporate events. For aesthetic purposes of the surrounding property, the relocation of the maintenance barns and equipment would need to be considered.   

(No Funding identified.)                                    Estimated Cost:  $50,000

Priority #5  Rental Cabins at both Regional Lakes

As stated in the previous priority, the overnight lodging accommodations in the region of the lakes is practically non existing. Staff believes with proper planning and marketing that two separate sites, one at Lake Ellsworth and one at Lake Lawtonka could support family style cabins for rent. The view of the Wichita Mountains in the background is as beautiful as any resort site in Oklahoma. With the growing interest of tourism in the Medicine Park region, cabin sites on the east side of both regional lakes would be ideal for weekend retreats for families, fishermen, and traveling tourist during all seasons of the year. With both lakes being provided with quality road access off of Highway 44, more people will be exploring the mountains of southwest Oklahoma in the coming years. The funds estimated are with three cabins established at each lake.

(No Funding identified.)                                    Estimated Cost:  $200,000

Priority #6  Restrooms/Showers at Ralph's Resort

The boat ramp and parking facilities and restrooms at this location are in need of improvement. Staff recommends a grant application be submitted to the Department of Wildlife to resurface the parking lot and improve the boat ramp, along with the construction of a new restroom/shower facility. The City would be responsible to provide adequate matching funds for the grant. No additional waste water system would need to be built at this site.

(No Funding identified.)                                   Estimated Cost:  $140,000

Priority #7  Restrooms/Showers at Fisherman's Cove

The boat ramp and parking facilities at this location are in need of improvement. Staff recommends a grant application be submitted to the Department of Wildlife to resurface the parking lot and improve the boat ramp, along with the construction of a new restroom/shower facility. The City would be responsible to provide the adequate matching funds for the grant. The restroom at this facility would not require an additional waste water system.

(No Funding identified.)                                    Estimated Cost:  $140,000

Priority #8  Restrooms/Showers at Colliers Landing

The boat ramp and parking area are in need of resurfacing. Currently there are no restrooms or showers at this camping location. This is a frequently used area. Staff recommends the City of Lawton apply for a grant from the Department of Wildlife for the new restrooms and resurfacing of the boat ramp as well as provide the adequate matching funds for the grant. This new restroom facility would require a waste water treatment system.

(No Funding identified.)                                      Estimated Cost:  $250,000

Priority #9  Restrooms/Showers Edgewater Park

The boat ramp and parking area are in need of resurfacing. Currently there are no restrooms or showers at this camping location. This is a frequently used area. Staff recommends the City of Lawton apply for a grant from the Department of Wildlife for a new restroom and resurfacing of the boat ramp and provide the adequate matching funds for the grant. This new facility would require a waste water treatment system.

 (No Funding identified.)                                       Estimated Cost:  $250,000

Priority #10  Treasure Island Campgrounds/Lake Ellsworth

This Island is located in the middle of Lake Ellsworth, between Fisherman's Cove and Ralph's Resort and just north of the South Campground. The creation of this campground would provide a (castaway) primitive camping spot to only be accessed by boat. This unique fishing and camping site would be a special experience for most young boys and girls. Certain special guidelines would need to be established for this particular camp site. This Island has commonly been called "goat island". At one time goats were kept on this island.

Clean up and creating designated primitive camp sites would be the primary development of this new camping area. Additional maintenance equipment would need to be purchased to maintain this property.

(In Progress)                                                      Estimated Cost:  $10,000

Priority #11  Lake Lawtonka Pavilion (Group II Use Area)

The Lawton Boat Club donated $5,000 to build a new pavilion at Lake Lawtonka. Those funds are in an escrow account. A large pavilion is needed in the Group II use area, within the East Campgrounds. Staff recommends funds from a yearly capital improvement fund assist in the development of this pavilion.

(McMahon Foundation Grant) - Completed              Estimated Cost:  $20,000

Priority #12  Pole Barn for Equipment at Lake Lawtonka

A pole barn is needed to keep tractors and other equipment out of the weather, to assist in the proper maintenance of city equipment.

(No Funding identified.)                                     Estimated Cost:  $20,000

Priority #13  Improve Boat Ramp at Robinson's Landing

The Boat ramp at Robinson's Landing completely serves the northwest end of Lake Lawtonka. This ramp needs to be widened. This would provide a more adequate service to the local community users and the tourists. This project has potential matching funds from the ODWC. These improvements would help alleviate crowding of facilities at the southeast corner of the lake.  Increased and improved camping sites are needed.

(No Funding identified.)                                  Estimated Cost:  $125,000

Priority # 14  Rock for Erosion at Ralph's Resort

The shoreline around the camping areas are in need of erosion protection from high winds and the constant wave action against its shores. The placement of the Riprap in these areas will reduce the erosion of the shoreline.

(No Funding identified.)                                Estimated Cost:  $25,000