Welcome back, Cedar Lake Farm

Chuck Kajer, Managing Editor

When Cedar Lake Farm closed several years ago, a lot of people were concerned that the land would be sold off to developers and the beautiful facility on the south side of Cedar Lake would be gone forever.

Those fears were squashed when Scott County stepped forward and purchased the property as part of the new Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park. However, when the county purchased the land, they let it be known that they did not have the funds needed to maintain or operate the farm as a park, and that the purchase would be for future use.

On Saturday, Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park opens to the public. The former day resort will once again have weekend visitors using the beach, the playground and more. The county was able to open the park through a partnership with a private firm, Lancer Hospitality, which will operate the farm. As part of the agreement, the park is open to the public free of charge from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends and holidays and Lancer Hospitality has the right to host gatherings both on the weekends and at other times during the week.

Government innovation is a cry we hear from so many people. They want local, county, state and federal governments to find ways to deliver services and programs that will be more cost efficient and innovative. This agreement is an example of that kind of thinking. When they purchased the property, some said it could be five years or more before the county was ready to operate the park. Now, less than two years later, the facility is open. Hats off to Scott County and Parks and Open Space Director Mark Themig for finding a way to open up the property ahead of schedule.