User:Yaboigrace/sandbox/Lake Spring Park, Salem VA

Lake Spring Park is a small municipal park located on West Main Street in Downtown Salem Virginia. This park offers a variety of amenities, Lake Spring Park can be reserved for weddings, fishing and special events. The park has over 3 acres and the gazebo on site is typically reserved for weddings, and is a feature of many pretty pictures. Fishing is restricted to those 12 and under except for the weeks of the fishing rodeo, Ernest "Pig" Robertson Fishing Rodeo, in May.

History
Prior to 2015, this park in Salem, Va., colloquially referred to as "The Duck Pond," had an overpopulation issue. The park was home to over 100 ducks and because of this the sidewalks were covered in bird droppings. The cleaning of these droppings was costing the city thousands of dollars in maintenance. In 2015, the city spent 80,00 USD and two months on renovations. The City of Salem installed over 900 feet of fencing around the two ponds, amongst other renovations in Lake Spring Park. They also installed coin-operated and automatic feeders in hopes to create a healthier diet for the ducks at the park.

Events
Yearly, the City of Salem Parks & Recreation Department hosts the Ernest “Pig” Robertson Fishing Rodeo at Lake Spring Park. The event holds fishing contents for youth 12 and under, as well as for special needs individuals, and those in nursing homes.