LENA — The Greater Freeport Partnership will join the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in a ribbon cutting celebration of the recent reopening of Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park to take place at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 7.

The ceremony will feature remarks by IDNR Director Colleen Callahan and Site Supervisor Jamie Dowdall on $7.3 million in rehabilitation and renovation projects the park has completed since it closed in Jan. 2020. The $3.9 million investment in state IDOT park and road funds were used for the reconstruction and realignment of the park road system, campsite renovations and draining, repair and restoration of the 40-acre Lake Le-Aqua-Na. An additional $3.4 million in lake rehabilitation was funded by the Illinois Capital Development Board to drain the lake, repair to stop water loss from the lake basin, reconstruction of boat ramps, new shore fishing jetties, installation of island and aeration system and improved fish habitat in the lake.

Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park is a 715-acre park started in 1948. The grounds feature multi-use trails, equestrian trails, RV and tent camp sites and other recreational opportunities. The Park reopened to visitors on Sept. 1. However, due to lack of rainfall in the Lake Le-Aqua-Na watershed in recent months, the lake will remain closed to visitors until the lake water level is restored.

Lake Le-Aqua-Na is located three miles north of Lena on Lake Road, 8542 N. Lake Rd, Lena, IL 61048.