W.A. Smith's evolving vision of Laurel Park included the construction of the 10-acre Rhododendron Lake and beach in 1909. A 30-foot high earthen dam was constructed blocking the stream running down the Cascades from the Reservoir. In addition, The Canal was built to connect with Rainbow Lake. The steam driven Dummy Line railroad was converted to the electric operated Laurel Park Street Railway with an extension from nearby Crystal Spring to Rhododendron Lake. These grand improvements made Laurel Park an extraordinary recreation area, giving visitors and residents of Hendersonville a location for swimming and boating, as well as dining and entertainment at the adjacent Laurel Park Pavilion. In the early 1980's, the earthen dam was deemed unsafe and removed. In 2009, the Town completed the purchase of the lakebed property to restore the natural flow of the stream and to create a nature park now called Rhododendron Lake Park.