MWCD Celebrates Major Park Enhancements with Dual Ribbon Cuttings at Seneca and Tappan Lake Parks
NEW PHILADELPHIA, OH — The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) marked the start of the season with two exciting ribbon-cutting ceremonies at Seneca Lake Park and Tappan Lake Park, unveiling a total of nearly $3.9 million in new amenities that expand access to outdoor recreation and promote healthy, family-focused fun.
At Seneca Lake Park, MWCD celebrated the completion of a $1.8 million improvement project that delivers a new level of recreational opportunities to the community. Central to this development is a vibrant splash pad, complete with water slides, buckets that dump water, and spray features engineered to bring cooling fun to children and families all summer long.
In addition to the splash pad, the site now features two pickleball courts, basketball court, and storybook trail, blending the joys of reading and nature exploration. These amenities are adjacent to the public swimming beach and concession stand and bring a full day of family fun to your fingertips.
“We’re proud to celebrate the completion of these amenities at Seneca Lake,” said Pete Novotny, MWCD Chief of Recreation. “From water play to storytelling, it's all designed with families, fun, and connection in mind and becomes a destination for families in the region to enjoy the outdoors and explore nature.”
At Tappan Lake Park, MWCD unveiled a dynamic set of amenities designed to inspire outdoor activity and exploration. The celebration featured the opening of two major projects. A $475,000 pump track, offering high-energy cycling fun for all ages, complete with a tot track for younger riders and BMX bike rentals. This is in addition to the $1.6 million amenities area, featuring basketball and pickleball courts, wildflower and pollinator habitat trail, community fire pit, and nature-based playground, crowned by a whimsical six-foot-tall bear sculpture.
“The new features at Tappan Lake Park, from the pump track to the pollinator trails, give families endless ways to explore, move, and play together,” said Novotny. “But the heart of it all is our nature-based playground that’s quickly become a symbol of this space. It invites curiosity, wonder, and that spark of imagination that only comes from being outside. This isn’t just an investment in amenities—it’s an investment in the well-being of our communities, and the joy of rediscovering nature at every age.”
---
About Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District
The MWCD, a political subdivision of the state, was organized in 1933 to develop and implement a plan to reduce flooding and conserve water for beneficial public uses in the Muskingum River Watershed, the largest wholly contained watershed in Ohio. Since their construction, the 16 reservoirs and dams in the MWCD region have been credited for saving over $8 billion worth of potential property damage from flooding according to the federal government, as well as providing popular recreational opportunities that bolster the region’s economy, garnering more than 5 million visitors annually. A significant portion of the reservoirs are managed by the MWCD, and the dams are managed for flood-risk management by the federal U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). For more information about the MWCD, visit www.mwcd.org and follow the MWCD on Facebook and Instagram.