Kosciusko County Fairgrounds is shrinking, and the fair board recently received a grant to help do something about it.
"The shoreline along Winona Lake has been eroding pretty bad," said Fair Board President Travis Trump.
Trump said the shoreline along the southern edge of the fairgrounds has been giving way to the lake over the years, and now even some trees planted a short distance from the shore are in danger.
To hold back the water, the fair board has planned a 946-foot barrier along the water. But, Trump said, it won't be a traditional seawall. Instead of being made of concrete, the barrier will be specially bio-engineered to blend with the lakeside environment. The barrier will be made of glacier stone, with native grasses and plants growing on it.
Trump said the fair board is working with Kent Tracy of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. He said Tracy has experience building similar walls at other lakes.
"This isn't something new," Trump said. "They've done these in other places."
The estimated cost of the project is $85,000. Last month, the fair board received word that their application for a Lare Grant through the Indiana Department of Environmental Management had been approved. Trump said the grant will cover about 75 percent of the project cost.
The Winona Lake Preservation Association also will contribute to the project. Chris Cummins, association president, said the WLPA will donate 5 percent of the project cost in cash and also hopes to provide some volunteers.
"We're a preservation association," said Cummins. "We're doing everything we can to preserve and enhance the lake. This is one of the most worthy projects we've seen come along. We're just really pleased to be able to help out."
Trump said the fair board will provide the remaining 20 percent of the project costs through volunteer labor.
Trump said he anticipates work on the project will begin in October. He said, depending on weather, most of the work should be completed within a few weeks. He said workers may have to wait until spring to finish the plantings for the project.
