Moraine's Lake Arthur a draw
MUDDY CREEK TWP — For a 49th year, Lake Arthur and Moraine State Park are known attractions to Butler County residents.
The Regatta at Lake Arthur, set Aug. 3 and 4, introduces even more people to the county's 16,725-acre park, which involves many activities and features, like sailing.
Spreading through Brady, Clay, Franklin, Muddy Creek and Worth townships in Butler County, the park's man-made lake was formed by damming Muddy Creek.
The late Frank Preston, founder of Preston Labs in Meridian, and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy were instrumental in reclaiming the land and recreating the ancient glacial lake which opened on May 23, 1970.
Dustin Drew, the Moraine State Park manager, said Moraine has a reputation for sailors who are seeking to test and challenge themselves.
“Sailing is popular at Lake Arthur at Moraine. It always has been since the creation of the park,” Drew said. “Due to the layout of the lake and the way the winds come across the lake, I've always been told that you have to be somewhat skilled to sail here.”
At the regatta, sailing tends to draw the attention, but Drew said there are many activities at the lake that are popular all summer long.
Drew said kayaking, canoeing and especially paddle boarding have increased in popularity in recent years.“It started with kayaking and we're seeing more and more stand-up paddleboards now,” Drew said.Drew said motorboats are acceptable up to 20 horsepower, which rules out speedboats and jet skis but does allow most fishing and leisure boats.“The lake is stocked with different species from the fish and boat commission, and it does sustain its own populations as well,” he said.There are also two beaches for the public to take a dip to beat the summer heat. The North Shore beach opens from mid-May to September and South Shore is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Both can be used from 8 a.m. to sunset daily.“They're free so it's a nice way to come out and spend the day at a low cost,” he said. “We do have food concessions to support that picnic atmosphere.”Drew said there are no lifeguards, however, so swimmers do so at their own risk.Between the park and the lake, there is plenty to see, Drew said.For a different point of view, visitors can get out on the water with the Nautical Nature Tour, conducted by the Moraine Preservation Group.
On the tour, the captain steers a large pontoon boat around Lake Arthur while the first mate talks about the lake's history, wildlife there and fun facts about the park.Dave Johnston, president of the Moraine Preservation Fund, said there is a fee, but proceeds go right back into the park.“That's our big revenue generator,” Johnston said.Johnston said a new boat ordered from Tennessee won't be available this season, but the current boat is ready to take on passengers.“The captains said there's nothing wrong with that boat right now,” he said.Johnston said the new boat is purely an upgrade that will help expand the number of people they can take on the water. He said they hope to accommodate future ideas from new generations of park-goers.Moraine welcomes more than two million visitors annually.
