People living near Mosquito Lake, several park and political officials gathered Thursday evening at the Trumbull County Agricultural Center to discuss the future of the lake and what can be done to improve the area.

The event was hosted by State Senator Sandra O'Brien so she can be inspired with what can be done at the state level. 

"These people will call me and say, 'come on let's go, isn't that state [funding]? Can we get some money there," said Sandra O'Brien to 21 News. 

"I may tell them I'd like $500,000 for something and then we get half of that, but it's something," Sandra said. "I'll take it, it's a start."

State Representative Michael O'Brien was also in attendance to see what can be done to help the lake. 

"The entities that are involved with the lake whether it be the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the Ohio Department of Wildlife, the Army Corps of Engineers," Michael O'Brien listed, "you're mixing federal agencies and state agencies to help."

"This event is probably something that hasn't happened in a long time," Michael said. "This is real, keen input from residents on what they would like Mosquito Lake to be."

Dozens of those who are concerned offered ideas on how to improve the lake.

"A nature center would be a wonderful thing," said one man who lives on the lake. "Also, a camper so we continue improvements on the camp sights."

"All the public areas for people to come in and fish, I'm going to use the word, 'disgusting," said one man who lives near the lake and uses it primarily to fish. "People throw away every trash they have and it's turning people away from this lake."

"It's not a great area for fishing anymore," said Christen Clemson, Mecca Township Trustee. "The litter is horrendous. The trees are awful and it makes it hard to fish. There's no lighting."

Thursday's most popular ideas involved aquatic vegetation improvement, cleaning litter around the lake and adding a nature center and more housing around the area.

"It is important for us to listen to our constituents as to what's important to them as far as our State Park here at Mosquito Lake," Sandra said. 

Some of those ideas could go into effect within the next few years once lawmakers work to put the ideas into action.