The Utility Service Board announced Monday night that board member Rick Gunyon has been named as the liaison between the USB and the Frankfort Lagoons.
“The Lagoons are a very well recognized community resource,” said Gunyon when asked why he is getting involved. “If anything, it’s kind of been left to its own over the past years. It’s been left to various volunteers, who stepped forward from time to time to improve it, stock it and maintain it.”
Gunyon gave a 10-15 minute presentation about the Lagoons which looked at nearly every aspect of the recreation area.
Gunyon added that the Lagoons will open to the public at 8 a.m. on Sunday, May 24. However, that is contingent on Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb has to say about further reopenings in the state on Friday. He also added that the observing area on a balcony is an area between the lakes is unsafe and will be blocked off and closed for the time being until it can be properly fixed.
During his presentation, Gunyon stated the Lagoons are classified as a wetlands area that is comprised of 64 acres. He also said a ‘birders’ group has identified 156 different bird species at the Lagoons and added the reason individuals are required to have a fishing license at the area is because one of the lakes flows into an area that is owned by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, which are the ones who are requiring that people have licenses, not the City of Frankfort.
Gunyon added the Lagoons is used for several things such as a natural wildlife area, walking park, fishing spot and educational outings for local youths.
“I think the Lagoons deserve a proactive management style and a proactive plan to move it to the future,” said Gunyon. “I think there are tremendous improvements we can put out there for not much money.”
One of the improvements will be improved signage in the area about what can and can’t be done.
“We want to be intentional on how this site is used,” said Gunyon. “Everybody seems to have an opinion (about the Lagoons). When you set down a few rules that are reasonable and ask people to follow these rules for the benefit of everyone, I think it’ll work out a lot better.”