Grand Lake St. Marys to offer extended discounts

ST. MARYS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio is offering extended discounts starting this spring at Ohio's largest inland lake.

The sprawling Grand Lake St. Marys in western Ohio was hit by a toxic algae bloom in 2010 that damaged the region's tourism business while highlighting problems caused by phosphorous runoff from farms.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources says discounts at the lake include 25 percent off shelter house rentals and half-price discounts on fees for docks, camping and day use. The special rates will be in effect from April 1 until Oct. 31, but don't include certain periods, including days around the Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day holidays.

The department's deputy director says the state hopes the discounts encourage people to pick Grand Lake St. Marys State Park as their vacation destination.