By Mike Harris
Special to the Alpine Mountaineer
Lake Gregory will officially open for summer fun on Saturday, May 24, with the North and South Shore beaches ready for visitors and the lake’s water play islands arranged for fans. “Even though Memorial Day weekend is a little early this year, we will be fully ready for summer fun,” Nathan Godwin, manager for the Lake Gregory Company, told the Alpine Mountaineer. “The lake is in really good shape, with good water clarity,” he added. “We had a good amount of rain this year, and that helps.”
Both the North Shore and South Shore beaches will be groomed and ready for visitors, and the volleyball area in the South Shore area will be ready for play.“We removed some trees and cleaned up the area,” he said. “The volleyball area was very popular in the ’90s, so we’d like to see that available again for volleyball fans.”
Godwin said he is done with hiring for this year. He has hired 18 lifeguards for the summer, who are finishing their training and orientation.
Many lifeguards from Rim High? “No,” he said. “We hired many of our lifeguards from swim teams on either side of the mountain, and they’re ready for the season.” New items for this summer, he explained, are a fleet of kayaks. “They get banged up a bit over the years, so we just replace them,” he said. Also new for this summer will be wooden cabanas; an RSVP will be required to use them, he added, because they are a popular beach feature. Boat rentals include canoes, pedal boats, rowboats, kayaks and the popular Duffy boats, which can handle up to nine persons. The Lakeside Grill will be ready, offering quality hamburgers and other lunch items.
Lake Gregory Manager Nathan Godwin steps on shore after placing some of the lake’s play islands water toys in the swim area with the help of employees.
Over on the San Moritz side of the park, Godwin said the meadow is in very good shape, as are the bait and tackle shop and the dock for launching kayaks. “The new kayak dock is designed and built so that kayakers don’t have to get in the water to get in their kayaks,” he explained. “They don’t have to get their feet wet, if they don’t want to.” Some necessary structural improvements were made to San Moritz Lodge, but, he said, “I doubt anyone will notice what we did.”
Fireworks again are planned, with the park and the Crestline Chamber of Commerce splitting the cost. “The fireworks will be part of the Jamboree Days celebration on Saturday, July 5,” he added.
And prices for summer 2025? “We have no price changes for this year,” he said. “The same prices for the last three years.” Godwin said he knows families may be feeling a pinch this year. “We are aware of what the economy is doing but as long as we can keep visiting Lake Gregory Park affordable for families, we will do it.”
Details about pricing, upcoming events and what’s available to enjoy can be found at the park’s website at https://www.lakegregory.com/.
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