The contractor moved equipment into the Vesuvius area in August 2001. During the time Lake Vesuvius was drained much of the 143-acre recreation area of the Wayne National Forest had been closed to allow for improvements to the dam and boat ramp that included constructing a boardwalk and fishing pier. J & H Erectors Inc. of Portsmouth built a 1,400 foot boardwalk connecting the boat ramp with the dam.
The boardwalk features safety hand and toe rails, several widened places for resting, accessible fishing rail areas and a shaded fishing pier. This boardwalk also provides a safe way to access the boat ramp from the fishing area and gets pedestrian traffic off the narrow winding road above the lake.