This community is fortunate to have volunteer organizations that recognize how special Clark Lake is.  In their own way, each organization operates to enhance the Clark Lake experience.  They welcome new members to join them in the Clark Lake Spirit, working side-by-side to accomplish what benefits the community.  Along the way, members tell stories that show how their efforts and accomplishments are both rewarding and enjoyable.

Interested?  Meet up with representatives from these groups tomorrow evening (Thurs 6/27), 6 pm to 8 pm at the Beach Bar:  Garden Angels, Lions Club, Raft-O-Rama and Spirit Trail.

Garden Angels

Garden Angels help keep Clark Lake beautiful.  You can see their work in the gardens around the Community Center, the Pretty Pergola, North Shore/Ocean Beach triangle, and at the Trail head in the County Park.  The Garden Angels say you don’t need to be an expert, just be willing to roll up your sleeves and help encourage awesome displays of nature’s best.

 

Lions Club

Clark Lake Lions Club’s motto is “We Serve.”  From their clubhouse on Lions Lane (west end of lake), they design and plan projects to benefit individuals in need.  One of them is White Cane, a Lions International initiative.  Lions fund glasses and eye examinations for those in need.  They also put together events like the Easter Egg Hunt, Raft-O-Rama BBQ Chicken Dinners, and the always-loved Memorial Day Parade.

 

Raft-O-Rama

This annual August event brings the lake together to celebrate creativity and fun.  It’s best known for the main event – the parade of ten to twenty rafts decorated in the year’s theme.  The competitive spirit ensures among the entrants ensures a spectacular visual experience.  But there is more to Raft-O-Rama than the parade – after the parade, Clark Lake parties at Eagle Point to live music that also features prizes and fun for kids and adults.  What else? This well-organized group is responsible for creating and distributing Independence Day luminaries and Clark Lake wear.  Working with the Yacht Club, they sponsor the Kids Triathlon each summer.

 

Spirit Trail

The Clark Lake Spirit Trail enables walkers, runners and cyclists to circumnavigate the lake by land.  The Trail offers non-motorized paths as well as sections shared with vehicles.   The route takes you through the Magic Forest, traditional lake neighborhoods, the County Park, and over a paved section that was once the Cincinnati-Northern Railroad bed.  Adding to the engaging vistas is the Welcome to Clark Lake Sign.   On one side, a colorful mosaic helps tell Clark Lake’s story.  On the other side are plaques with the names of individuals and families who helped make the Spirit Trail possible.  The Trail is cared for by volunteers, but donations are necessary for construction projects.  For example, two sections were resurfaced last summer – the County Park and former railroad bed parallel to Hyde Road.