Best Ohio beach finds new owner

For years, boaters called it one of the best beaches in Ohio.The Bay Point Sandbar — over the last two decades — has emerged from the water and become an oasis of sorts. It's come and gone through the centuries, but developed on its own of late, a sandbar that eventually grew trees and plants that will help it stabilize.The Sandbar extends from Bay Harbor out from the Marblehead Peninsula reaching toward Cedar Point. On the lake side, the beach sand glistens and does indeed show up as an almost tropical paradise. Boaters toss anchor and cart their chairs, tents, coolers and barbecues for summer beach days. It's become a place where families gather to enjoy Lake Erie and a day in the sun.On the Bayside it's like a lagoon, where for years it was home to local businessman Shawn Bickley's annual barge party, with live bands and a party all day.One thing has always been true with the sandbar and the boaters who love it: They respected the natural beauty of it and the gift it represents for long and happy sunny days. They always cleaned up after themselves and kept the sandbar a free of debris.The Western Reserve Land Conservancy recently acquired the 68-acre property from Bay Point Resort, which donated it to the conservancy. That's good news. Valued at about $1 million, the undeveloped stretch of land will always remain free of development. The Conservancy plans to keep the property as is — and fortify it with proper growth plants and to assure it the best possible chance of overcoming any high water years ahead. Western Reserve Land Conservancy plans to raise funds to help preserve the sandbar, including work to restore it as bird habitat.But the good news, too, is the conservancy plans to keep allowing boaters access, acknowledging the respect they have shown for the property for all these years. This is a win-win, we say, and we're glad this no man's land has found a responsible owner that wants to keep it safe from the elements, and also will work so that people — and birds — continue to enjoy it.