The park will undergo some changes this year including a campaign to restore its boardwalk along the beach, and charging for parking in 2009. Money generated by parking fees will go into a special maintenance fund for roads that aren’t connected to other areas of the park that generate revenue like rides or concessions. “We have to find ways to generate revenue,” Moyers said.

Trustees still are wrestling with about $2.4 million in debt it inherited from previous owners and operators, Moyers said.

Restroom areas at Camper-land also are to be restored this year, and boat dock spaces on the lake are to be renovated.

Moyers said the trustees have not been spending money ahead of time, but they are open to spending money when it has the cash on hand.

Frank Jones, owner of the Dry Dock Bar & Grille near the park, told Moyers that a lot of people have shied away from giving money to the park because of poor financial operations in the past.

“People need to be reassured,” Jones said.

“We’re going to prove ourselves,” Moyers said of getting the park back into operation in 2009. “The community has to support the park as well as the tourists. Everybody has to get behind the park.”

That’s something Mike Dzugan, 60, of Espyville, a long-time fan of the park, hopes will happen.

“I love the park. I want to see it prosper,” Dzugan said. “Everything, from what they say, sounds like it will work. It’s just not going to happen overnight.”

Effort on to save boardwalk

A public campaign is being launched to rebuild Conneaut Lake Park’s historic 650-foot boardwalk board-by-board.

The project is estimated to cost about $180,000 to restore the lakefront boardwalk that runs from the Hotel Conneaut to the Beach Club, according to Trustees of Conneaut Lake Park, which owns the amusement park.

The project will be completed in 50-foot to 100-foot sections at a time and will include a new foundation, low-maintenance decking and railings, energy-saving lighting and benches.

Donations may be given in any amount, but name recognition and memorial donations of $100 will be recognized on plaques, said Juanita Hampton, a member of the trustees.