Posted on September 21, 2026
Indian Lake Park in North Huntingdon will be closed for a major renovation next year.
The proposed work involves repairing the dam, stabilizing streambanks, draining the lake and dredging the silt buildup.
The entire park will be closed all year because “with the complexity of the project, we want to keep everyone out for safety reasons,” said Lydia Kinkaid, North Huntingdon recreation and parks coordinator.
North Huntingdon was recently awarded a $660,000 Local Share Account grant from the state, the township said. That grant is funded through revenue from the Race Horse and Gaming Act and supports projects serving the public interest.
That, coupled with a state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant of just over $665,000 earlier this year, will give the township $1.32 million for the project. The township’s consulting engineer had estimated the project would cost between $1.2 million and $1.3 million, Kinkaid said.
The wood-covered bridge over the spillway of Kenda Dam and part of the walking path around the lake will be part of the renovation project, with new support beams and flooring installed.
Dredging the lake and stabilizing the streambanks is expected to improve water quality and reduce erosion.
The township will put together a request for proposals to advertise for contract bids later this year or early next year to do the work, Kinkaid said.
The township wants to begin the work next spring.
While the lake is drained, the small stream feeding the lake will have to be dammed, Kinkaid said. There is a wetlands area where the stream flows into the lake.
One of the challenges to the project will be the removal of aquatic life in the lake before the lake is completely drained and relocating the fish.
Ron Robinson, township senior engineer, had previously said that if the water is drained slowly, the fish would move to that area and be easier to collect.
North Huntingdon will need to find another body of water with a similar environment where the fish from Indian Lake can be relocated, Kinkaid said. The township’s other municipally owned large body of water, a pond at Oak Hollow Park, would be too warm.
Michael Parker, a spokesman for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, could not be reached for comment Friday.
