Leaser Lake in eastern Pennsylvania, 45-feet deep before unrelenting seepage, eventually became a kind of ghost lake. By 2001, the 120-acre, man-made lake was an eerie landscape of weeds, small trees and even pieces of an old farm that was swallowed when the lake was filled in the 1960s. Attempts to fix the seepage failed, and the surrounding park was mothballed.
The Leaser Lake Heritage Foundation (LLHF) labored for years to get several government entities to supply nearly $5 million—enough to repair the dam and refill the lake. The repairs were completed in 2015.
Bringing life back to the park became much more than just filling the lake with water. LLHF had big dreams for Leaser Lake: it hoped to provide recreation opportunities to those who otherwise found them just out of reach. It wanted individuals with limited mobility to be able to explore lakeside paths, fish from a floating dock or even slip into a kayak for a paddle on the water. But those were expensive dreams.
Lion Tom Kerr, a foundation board member, presented a plan to raise the money to fellow Lions who shared his affinity for Leaser Lake. The lake is a source of pride for locals in the sleepy but picturesque farmland.
The plan called for a park fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Its trails, picnic tables, toilets and parking would be accessible to those with disabilities. The Kempton Lions Club committed to raising money to fund a fishing pier and a kayak launcher. The LLHF committed to several other pieces of the puzzle.
The idea of facilitating positive, unique outdoor experiences for people with limited mobility energized the Lions. There was nothing like this within 100 miles of Kempton.
Over two years, the Kempton Lions, aided by the neighboring Ontelaunee Lions Club, generated more than $7,000 through fundraising. Meanwhile, Kerr applied for grants from the Lions of Pennsylvania Foundation and Lions Clubs International Foundation, garnering US$49,500—enough to pay for the fishing pier and launcher.
The Lions and LLHF worked with a local manufacturer and an engaged group of local adaptive kayakers. The athletes tested prototypes at the manufacturer’s facility and at the lake.
“In the process of developing the boat launcher, I had a greater understanding of the limitations of a wheelchairbound person, as well as many things an able-bodied person takes for granted,” admits Kerr. “Understanding the impact this project has on the lives of those with mobility issues makes this project very gratifying.”
The project was dedicated in October 2015. During the inauguration ceremony, Mike White, who has spina bifida, rolled his wheelchair down the gangway with ease and paddled off into the open water. “It is liberating. One of the nicest feelings is to look and feel like everybody else,” White says.
Sporting his yellow vest, Kerr beamed with pride at what Lions achieved. “I hope this project, done by a small group of people, can serve as a testament to other small clubs that they, too, can do big projects.”
This story originally appeared in the September 2016 issue of LION Magazine.
