Teen asks for assistance in improving county lake
Staff reporter
For most eighth grade boys, sports, video games, and friends take up most of their time.
Landon Leiker is no different except his focus right now is protecting and restoring historical sites at Marion County Lake.
The son of Lee and Diane, the Leikers moved to the county lake in 2004 when Lee took the reins of USD 408 as superintendent.
"I've always liked history," Landon said, but he wasn't really hooked until he went on a tour of the lake with lake resident Helen Beckham.
Landon took the tour to heart and decided it was up to him to preserve the historic landmarks.
To casual observers who drive around the lake, few are aware of the history of the stone structures.
When the lake was first developed and opened in 1940, the intention was for numerous recreational activities be offered with water sports and camping.
Stone and concrete stoves, incinerators, sandboxes, and picnic tables and benches were erected and utilized. Unfortunately, those structures are beginning to show their age.
Landon has high aspirations of cleaning up, repairing, and renovating these historic structures.
However, he can't do it alone.
The county lake belongs to Marion County taxpayers and Landon would like for those "owners" to help him care for the area.
Landon is spearheading a clean-up day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 14 to remove brush, tree limbs, logs, trim weeds around the stone pillars on the dam, and clean out and replace sand in sandboxes.
Within the next two years, Landon wants to apply for a Heritage Trust Grant through Kansas State Historical Society. A petition is circulating in support of the application.
Other restoration plans that could be paid with grant funds include repairing and replacing some sandboxes, stone benches, and picnic tables, restoration of some stone structures, and replacement of roofs on shelters.
The cost to repair, replace, and restore these items on the list is $37,100.
Landon also would like to start an "adopt a tree program" where individuals purchase trees to be planted and personally care for the trees until they mature.
During this past Old Settlers' Day in September, Landon provided tours of the historical landmarks which was a popular activity.
"An architect from Kansas State Historical Society wants to take a tour," Landon said.
He also is more than willing to offer tours again to the general public.
During the upcoming work day, Lee Leiker will organize volunteers. Anyone who wants to bring church groups, organizations, or classes are welcome and can contact Landon for more information at (620) 382-2169.
Volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. at the lake hall and are encouraged to bring gloves, rakes, shovels, branch clippers, and weed eaters. Lunch will be served.
So, what does Landon want to do when he grows up? He'd like to be a meteorologist.
But for now, this young man is doing what he thinks is important.
"I believe this is my job to preserve this history," Landon said.
Marion County Lake is more than home to Landon and his family. It's part of the history of Marion County and must be preserved.
