Drake Lake, a 22-acre wetland and pond plot about a third of a mile south of Highway 24 near Judge Orr Road is on the county’s radar for renovations.The plot was deeded to El Paso County in 2005 by the Drake family, and the county is considering renovating it for wetland mitigation and fishing access. A small parking lot, floating dock, looped trail with linkage to the Rock Island Trail and a small pavilion are all possibilities. The renovation is called the Drake Lake Fishing Area Project and is one of the 2011 capital improvement projects, which will likely take place in phases and years, depending on the funding. Establishing a citizensí advisory council is the first course of action.Next on the agenda, the county will attempt to secure grants and third-party funding to match the grant amounts. ìWe’ve had this land a long time, and this (renovation) has always been the plan,î said Tim Stickel, project manager. The amount of work that can be done will be limited to the funds available, he said. ìThe improvements to the fishing access could be undertaken as early as 2012, if the funds are secured,î said Elaine Kleckner, project manager for the community services department.The county is also working with the Colorado Division of Wildlife Fishing is Fun program to get approval for fishing and help with stocking the lake. The lake is spring-fed, which means it never completely freezes during the winter, making it a prime location for ducks and other wildlife to spend time year-round.ìThis project is unique because it really focuses on the wildlife instead of the recreational spaces,î Stickel said.
