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Buckeye Lake State Park facts for kids

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Buckeye Lake State Park
Lake view
Buckeye Lake
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Location Fairfield, Licking, and Perry counties, Ohio, United States
Area Land: 176 acres (71 ha)
Water: 3,173 acres (1,284 ha)
Elevation 886 ft (270 m)
Established 1949
Administered by Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Designation Ohio state park
Website Buckeye Lake State Park

Buckeye Lake State Park is a fun outdoor area in Ohio. It's located across three counties: Fairfield, Licking, and Perry. The park is a great place for people to relax and enjoy nature.

This park includes a large lake and its surrounding areas. It covers about 3,349 acres of water, islands, and shorelines. Some popular spots within the park are Brooks Park, Fairfield Beach, Liebs Island, Mud Island, and North Shore.

There are many exciting activities you can do at Buckeye Lake State Park. You can go boating, fishing, and swimming in the lake. It's also a perfect spot for picnics with family and friends. If you love animals, you can watch for amazing wildlife. In the winter, you can even enjoy snow activities! Look out for cool birds like cormorants, herons, bald eagles, and ospreys. You might see many other kinds of waterfowl too.

History of Buckeye Lake State Park

How Buckeye Lake Got Its Name

The park is named after Buckeye Lake itself. But did you know the lake had a different name a long time ago? It was first called the Licking Summit Reservoir.

Building the Reservoir

The Licking Summit Reservoir was built in the 1800s. Its main purpose was to provide water for the Ohio and Erie Canal. Canals were like water highways that helped transport goods across the state.

Becoming a Public Park

In 1894, the government of Ohio made an important decision. They declared that these large water reservoirs should become public parks. This meant everyone could visit and enjoy them. After this, the Licking Summit Reservoir was renamed Buckeye Lake.

The Park is Created

Later, in 1949, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources was created. This department helps manage Ohio's natural areas. That same year, Buckeye Lake officially became Buckeye Lake State Park. It has been a popular state park ever since!

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