New Resort for Grand Lake OK

A stir of excitment is building among Grand Lake area property owners, especially those on Monkey Island, with the recent approval of a TIFto help with the development of a new resort and club. Many visitors to the Grand Lake area remember fondly the old Shangri-La Resort at the end of Monkey Island. It’s loss has been felt significantly by residents, visitors and merchants alike. Now The Peninsula Resort and Club will replace it with a hotel, marina, conference center, wellness center and spa, and more.

Delaware County Commissioners had to approve the TIF (tax increment financing) District, which they did on June 30th. A TIF District is a special area in which taxes are diverted from their normal purposes to promote development.

Grand Lake, with all its scenic beauty, provides limited opportunities for visitors to access the lake. Well known by boaters and fishermen who are comfortable trailering their water toys, the lake has many ramps and access points. Homes and condos around the lake have private and community docks. RV-ers can find numerous locations to spend a week or a month at the lake. The Peninsula’s venue will introduce another way to enjoy the sparkle and glory of Grand Lake.

The developer indicated he hopes to break ground on the project in late summer or early fall. The TIF District includes 415 acres of property. TIF funding will help fund public improvements, such as the conference center, wellness center, waterfront access, roads and trails. Private funds will pay for construction of the hotel, marina and future residential development.  

Situated next to two existing 18-hole golf courses, this new Peninsula project is  a welcome addition to Grand Lake. Grand Lakers wish it to be a great success!

Spring Brings Something New…

There is something very special about spring with its warm breezes that offset the memories of a winter – this year a colder and drearier winter than I have experienced in my seven years at Grand Lake. While I realize we are not quite there yet – there are strong hints that spring is in the air.

The tips of my daffodils are reaching upward, buds are getting fat on the tree branches, all the bright pansies that wintered-over are looking joyful at the blue sky, and I just cut back all of the ornamental grasses so they can start a new growth cycle. Let the warmer weather begin!!

There’s something else that is new at the lake. The Preserve is a new development that is just coming to life – and what a great addition! Located at the entrance to Courthouse Hollow, on a property that had spent three generations with one family, The Preserve promises an exceptional opportunity. With newly cleared lot sites opening up the forest, it is truly a lovely spot to build.

The majority of home sites will either be on the water or have a water view. A new state of the art marina will provide a slip for each home site, 30′ to 40′ in length. With the community marina, you won’t have the day to day maintenance issues of a personal  dock, yet you’ll be minutes away by golf cart. If you want your own dock, you can purchase one of about twelve lots with docking capability – and fabulous open views as well!

The natural setting at The Preserve is wonderful. I’m anxious to see the dogwood and redbud that will dot the landscape in the next few weeks. The heron and deer I saw on Friday afternoon assured me that they still claim their territory, despite the big machinery working on the grounds.

Let me know if you want to take a look. This will be well worth the investment.. and true to form for a spring arrival, this project anticipates being sold out by the end of fall. That hasn’t happened to a development on this lake yet, but I don’t think we’ve yet experienced something like The Preserve.

White Pelicans spotted this week

My first blog ever. I guess we all have to start someplace.

If you are thinking of learning  about Grand Lake, then there is no time like the present to start! There are so many things to learn. One of my favorites is that this area has such a diversity of wildlife and plant life.

 We are in a migratory fly way and therefore have lots of water fowl that fly through here on their way north or south. Just Friday I saw two large formations of white pelicans in the sky. They are fascinating to watch if you happen to see them on the lake, especially when  they are “fishing”. They actually herd the fish by working cooperatively as a group instead of diving into the water like the brown pelicans.

The pelicans migrate with their friends the cormorants, black birds that dive under the water to catch their dinner of fish. Our local fishermen can get quite exasperated at these intruders to their territory. I have heard that the cormorants may not really affect the supply, and since I enjoy watching these feathered members of our community, I will choose to believe it.

With the pelicans and cormorants in the area, I suppose that means the bald eagle the spends the winter near my home will be heading north. Come to think of it, I spotted a wren checking out the birdhouse in the back yard. Yes, maybe spring is getting closer!