Crews are dredging the lake and rebuilding the spillway at AJ Jolly Park in Burlington, with several areas now fenced off and camping suspended for the rest of 2026.
Campbell County announced the closures began July 31, as construction kicked off on a multi-part dam safety project. The NKY Tribune reported the lake has been significantly lowered to allow safe work on the dam and spillway.
What's closed
Four areas are off-limits for the duration of construction:
- Lake Access Road beyond the turnoff to the pavilion and maintenance garage, closed to all traffic including pedestrians and cyclists
- Equestrian area and horse trails, closed until further notice
- Disc golf holes 7 and 8 (remaining holes stay open)
- Both sides of the dam and spillway
Camping and all lake access, including fishing and kayaking, are suspended for the entire 2026 season. New safety signs and fencing mark the restricted zones.
What's still open
The golf course, Stapleton Pavilion, shelters, playgrounds, sports fields, tennis and pickleball courts, and most of the disc golf course remain open. Park admission stays free.
Signature community events will continue with scheduling adjustments as needed, including Jolly Thursdays, Music Nights, the Sun Valley Bluegrass Festival, Festival on the Lake, and Spooktacular.
The project
The work involves four major components: concrete and foundation repairs to the dam, improvements to the lake-level control system, drainage fixes, and dredging to remove built-up sediment. A culvert near Flatwoods Road Cove will also be replaced with a new bridge.
Campbell County called the repairs proactive, saying the dam is currently safe and the work will preserve its strength for decades. Dredging will improve water quality, reduce harmful warming in shallow areas, and create better fish habitat.
Engineering consultant Verdantas, formerly CT Consultants, is managing the project. The Fort Mitchell-based firm specializes in municipal infrastructure and environmental design across Northern Kentucky.
By bundling the dam repairs, dredging, and bridge replacement into one project, the county said it is reducing overall costs and shortening the timeline. The work is funded through county, state, and grant resources with no new fees for residents.
Campbell County's project FAQ said updates on construction progress and reopening plans will be shared through the county website, Fiscal Court newsletter, email alerts, and AJ Jolly Park social media pages. Dates for Jolly Thursdays, Music Nights, and other fall events will be posted on those channels as scheduling adjustments are finalized.
