There was an optimistic feeling in the air at the recent meeting of the Leaser Lake Heritage Foundation.

The long and sometimes arduous trail leading to the refilling of Leaser Lake in Lynn Township was coming to an end.

The gate was closed Nov. 15 and the gradual filling was started with the initial fill height set at 7 feet with 2- to 3-foot increments added each week.

At the 35- to 40-foot level, the water will start to spread out and filling will take longer.

Someone, however, is always willing to spoil a good thing.

Two individuals from the Allentown and Old Zionsville area were caught painting graffiti on the inside of the dam wall the night before the gate was closed.

Lehigh County Wildlife Conservation Officer Lee Creyer and state police apprehended the miscreants. Fifty-two cans of spray paint also were confiscated.

Bait fish will be introduced in spring 2013, along with trout.

The loop trail is approximately three quarters marked. The south parking lot to the west parking lot needs to be marked. A bridge is needed across the creek below the spillway to complete the trail.

Recognition plaques will be installed at the east parking area.

The Leaser Lake monument and flagpole will be erected with engraved pavers leading up to the spot.

The names on the pavers will honor donors to the project.

Lehigh County Parks and Recreation will do the excavating while the foundation will provide the material.

Material costs are expected to be around $2,000 with an additional $1,659 for a 1.5 foot wall around the monument.

Lehigh County will construct the wall; details will be finalized in the spring.

Randy Metzger will contact Paul Womer Memorials about engraving the pavers.

Stone Haven, Lowhill Township, has offered to deliver the materials free of charge as a donation to the foundation.

The handicapped access fishing area will be located at the west parking lot. This will be a floating pier accessible to all handicapped individuals.

Total cost for the pier is expected to be around $100,000. The Kempton Lions Club raised $5,000 toward the project and an $18,890 grant was awarded by the Lehigh County Tourism office.

The foundation is currently seeking a grant from the Trexler Trust Fund in the amount of $25,000.

Additional funding is being sought from the Wounded Warrior Project, Fishing Has No Boundaries and any other sources available.

The foundation board will develop a master plan of the west parking lot showing the proposed development.

This will be used to show potential donors. Handicapped toilets and picnic tables will also be placed in the area.

Wood duck nests will be placed in spring. Ducks Unlimited will help with the labor and placement.

A $900 donation was given by the Kistler family toward the wood duck project.

The Earl Leiby Memorial Bench will be installed in the spring. A special site was chosen so anyone resting at the bench could see the Leiby farm.

This bench is in memoriam for the land acquired from this farm for Leaser Lake.

Schools in the area expressed interest in the project.

Northwestern and Blue Mountain high schools and Kutztown University have expressed interest in having classes at the lake and doing studies while the lake is filling.

The board is scheduled to meet 6 p.m. Dec. 13. The next public meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 24, 2013.