This Master Plan focuses on the future of the redevelopment of the park. During the 50's, 60's, & 70's the park, under commercial lease, had an abundance of actives with a lake front beach, pin ball machines, water slides, and a train transporting people to and from the adjacent campgrounds. It was one of top outdoor activity areas in the Effingham Area. Over time subsequent lessees sold off recreation assets and allowed the beach area to fall into disrepair. This resulted in a drop in attendance and the present condition of the park today.

In 2017 the Lake Sara Forever Fund of the Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation purchased the beach lease and returned the property to EWA direct control with the goal of developing the entire peninsula (30 acres) into a quality recreational park for the benefit of both lake residents and the entire Effingham Community. Lake Sara Forever then contracted with Farnsworth to develop this Master Plan.

This Master Plan (or Roadmap) provides the vision to bring the park back bigger and even better than its previous glory years. Through the application of public work shops, informational meetings, & a web-based survey the owner engaged the residents around Lake Sara as well as the citizens of nearby Effingham before they allowed any design work to begin. The input from the citizens along with the master plan expectation from the owner provided the guidelines for the development of this Master Plan.