LOGAN COUNTY, Ohio (WCMH) – About two weeks after a deadly tornado tore through parts of the Indian Lake community in Logan County, Indian Lake State Park reopened on Friday.

“It’s a sense of just that one step of recovery,” said Hiedie Whitman, Park Manager of Indian Lake State Park.

Staff with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and volunteers worked together to clean up the park. Whitman knows many of the park’s neighbors around the lake still face unknowns and a lot of work. She said her thoughts are with the whole community.

“It’s going to be a long road, one day at a time, but this community is resilient, they will come through this, we will, together,” Whitman said.

Rick Stanley is one of the neighbors still figuring out exactly what to do next. His Lakeview neighborhood which he’s called home for about 50 years was one of the hardest hit. Some homes which were destroyed have been torn apart and taken away.

“Everything you see that people built is gone. Looks better, cleaning up, but it’s never going to be the same,” he said.

He also described the park re-opening as a step toward getting back to normal.

“Let people come out and enjoy themselves, that’s what Indian Lake is about, is enjoyment, fishing, camping. You might as well get back to normal. We’re never going to be normal but you might as well try and get back to normal,” he said.

Fox Island is the only part of Indian Lake State Park which is still closed. A shelter house was destroyed and several large trees came down during the storm.

“It’s an escape for people that are local. It’s an escape for people that are out of town. But I think it will be a new sense for the locals just come, unwind their thoughts some, and be able to reflect, this is their home,” Whitman said about the park.

The park and surrounding area are expecting big crowds for the solar eclipse. Whitman reminded visitors to be respectful of neighbors who are still dealing with an incredibly difficult situation.