Cataract Park open after Saturday dedication

cataract-park-entranceWILLIAMS—Saturday the thirteenth was not unlucky for the residents as they opened the $2.3 million Cataract Lake Park with an eventful dedication. Politicians were there to thank everyone except for Williams Police Sergeant Ted Wigal who directed traffic at entrance. (So we get to be the first to thank him for his service!) I-40 Fleet Services even provided kayaks for rides on the lake.

Mayor John Moore was joined by Williams City Councilmen Hiemenz and Payne for the celebration. District 4 Supervisor Mandy Metzger and District 2 Supervisor Liz Archuleta joined District 3 Supervisor Matt Ryan.

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The event was staffed by volunteers from a number of non-profit groups around the community. The American Legion, as usual, conducted the barbeque provided by the city. Camp Civitan provided a van to shuttle people from the parking area to the park. The Kiwanis and Lions Club members served the food. Volunteers staffed the Coke van provided by Swire. Parks and recreation staff were on hand and volunteer children tested the playground during the speeches. The Freshman class of the Williams High School baked and decorated the cake for the cake cutting ceremony.

Everything was going fine until the politicians started fighting over the key.

Everything was going fine until the politicians started fighting over the key.


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Cataract Lake Park opening soon in Williams

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WILLIAMS—Coconino County announced that the 2.1 million Cataract Lake County Park will open on April 13th. The funds to renovate the park were derived from the Coconino Parks and Open Space sales tax program approved by county voters in 2002.

Mayor John Moore of Williams explained that the transformation of the old camping site into a day use area is not a loss for Williams. “I personally don’t think that the loss of camping will bad. I think it will make a place for the locals, now, to go in for a day, have family reunions in some of the shelters and be able to go fishing.”

Fishing at Cataract Lake requires a trout stamp. There are still camp site on the south-east area of Cataract Lake which can be accessed by taking Cataract Road to Copper Ranch Road. As of this writing, that camping area is closed for the season.

“It’s a county park operated by the City of Williams,” Mayor Moore added.

County Parks and Recreation Director Judy Weiss said, “The renovation of Cataract Lake County Park is our new model of park operation that we have implemented to provide quality park amenities in the most efficient way possible.”

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The $2.1 million dollars invested to redevelop the park was used for planning, development, design and construction of the site. The park features restrooms, a boat launch, two picnic ramadas, a playground, fishing areas, walking trails and horseshoe pits.

The County and City of Williams plans a barbeque from 11 am to 3 pm on April 13th to christen the new park.

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