Lake days in April? Oh, Hech yeah!

Soak up the sun and cool off by the water during Hech Lake Days from 2 to 6 p.m., Thursday, April 10 and 17; and Wednesday, April 23 and 30, at Hechenbleikner Lake. 

The Student Involvement Office and Venture Outdoor Leadership are hosting four days of fun to celebrate one of UNC Charlotte’s landmark bodies of water. Students can take to the water by boating on the lake or enjoy the shore with games, food trucks and music. 

Special events, including outdoor yoga, watercolor painting and T-shirt tie-dyeing, are planned during Hech Lake Days. Free UNC Charlotte swag will be available to participating students. 

“The goal for creating these events is to have fun and build community around a beautiful but underutilized gathering place on campus,” said Adam Burden, director of student involvement. “Having canoes out on the lake is something that could become a tradition if students enjoy doing it, and whether people want to do outdoor yoga, compete in some games, learn about the ecology and environment around the lake, or just chill and listen to music, there is something for everyone.”

This scenic lake was created by the late Herbert Hechenbleikner, professor emeritus of biology and early UNC Charlotte landscape planner, with help from students and volunteers in 1964. The lake was named for “Dr. Heck” in 1975.