The Town of Jacksonport continues to work on a plan that, when completed, will double the size of Lakeside Park in Jacksonport. Most recently, Town Chairman Al Birnschein met with local property owner Shawn Koulias & attorneys Randy Nesbitt & Phil Johnson at a closing ceremony to mark the acquisition of the adjacent shoreland parcel after nearly two & a half years of planning & grant writing. Of the $755,000 cost, the Town of Jacksonport has received $709,000 in grant funding. Koulias will have several months to vacate his home which will be sold & removed from the property. While the small cabin will be moved to a new location, two remaining garages will be retained for storage. Adding the property adjacent to the park will provide nearly 200 feet of beachfront, along with a heavily wooded area that will be kept in its natural state with walking paths, picnic tables & minor improvements. This fall, the town will use a grant obtained through the county soil & water conservation department to implement a beach restoration project. Future plans include updated restrooms & other improvements. Birnschein thanked all of the people who have helped to make the land acquisition possible, including the voters who okayed the idea in a referendum two & a half years ago.
