Ellis Lake, Man-made lake
Ellis Lake is a man-made reservoir in downtown Marysville with walking trails circling the water and picnic areas along the shore. The roughly 1.2-mile path passes small islands in the lake, including one with a gazebo that visitors can view from the banks.
The site changed from a swampy Feather River spillway into the current lake in the 1930s, finished by 1939. A landscape designer and local visionary W. T. Ellis worked to transform it into the community gathering place it remains today.
The lake is woven into daily life in Marysville, drawing families and locals seeking outdoor moments. Ducks, geese, and other birds are permanent residents that visitors observe and feed along the walking paths.
Parking is readily available and benches line the walking route for rest and observation. Visit during clear weather when the park feels quiet and birds are most active along the water.
A woman's car was found at the lake bottom in 2002 after disappearing decades earlier in the 1980s, adding to local lore. A modern lighting system on one of the islands displays 37 colors and illuminates the water from dusk until midnight.
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