[Cider Jim]

From the local fishwrap...

At long last, Lynchburg's Ivy Creek Park opens
Eager anglers and carefree kayakers now have a place to call home in Lynchburg.

On Friday, the city celebrated the opening of its newest park, a 29-acre spread that includes a stream-fed lake complete with fishing pier and canoe/kayak rentals. “It is my pleasure to be able to say a few words that a lot of people have been waiting years to hear,” Parks & Recreation Director Kay Frazier announced to the crowd of 80 or so present for the unveiling. “Welcome to Ivy Creek Park.”

Tucked away in the Lynchpin Industrial Park off Lakeside Drive, Ivy Creek Park offers a unique oasis in what is largely a busy commercial area.

The park, which was first envisioned some 15 years ago, features a 1.5-mile trail and a more than six-acre lake whose waters are home to largemouth bass, carp, bluegill and catfish.

The lake is the first public amenity of its kind in Lynchburg, and the only spot where the city is offering fishing, canoeing and kayaking. It is the city's first new park in about 30 years.

http://www2.newsadvance.com/news/2011/j ... r-1084478/

[Sly Fox]

Glad to see Lynchburg hasn't changed ... it still takes forever to get anything done with the city involved. 15 years to open a park ... seriously?

That said, any new fishing and/or kayaking venues is awesome.

[Cider Jim]

They make you fish with barbless hooks, and it's catch and release, but I saw a guy catch a HUGE crappie out of there yesterday evening. There is no sign for the park on 221, but either through word of mouth or people reading the paper, the park was packed yesterday both times that I went.

My only criticism of the park is that it has porta johns rather that real toilets.

[ALUmnus]

With the lake it instantly becomes the best park in Lynchburg. Granted, I haven't been there, but a place to actually canoe or kayak, how awesome it that? That's too bad that they didn't build some modern facilities before it opened. Hopefully that will follow soon. Or maybe the town figured people can just use the bathrooms at Sheetz. Wouldn't surprise me.

[LUconn]

Is it mainly just a lake or is there a lot of land too?

[LUconn]

Nevermind, 29 acres of land.

[Cider Jim]

The park also has 4-5 trails for those who like to run, walk, or bike on a variety of surfaces--pavement, gravel, mulch, or dirt. I love the shaded, scenic half mile loop around the lake.

[ALUmnus]

I swung by here today to check it out. This park has a long way to go, and the layout kind of makes it a lot of useless land. I'm not sure how they're going to fit that nature center and still have any green area left. I was also disappointed that they don't allow you to use your own canoe/kayak, you're forced to rent one.

Overall I wasn't impressed. Maybe when it's finished...