The Landing secures waterfront land

SANDUSKY — The latest land acquisition by Sandusky's government allows officials to extend the city's only recognized bike path above water and beside a rarely explored back bay channel. During a recent public meeting, city commissioners announced Cedar Point donated necessary waterfront easements to further develop the Sandusky Bay Pathway alongside Lake Erie and away from busy streets, such as Cleveland Road (U.S. 6). In short, the latest addition lets officials to eventually construct a pedestrian bridge spanning multiple bodies of water and continue the trail behind both east end sport center facilities. Those overseeing the project called the agreement "absolutely monumental." • Cedar Fair chief financial officer Brian Witherow: We are pleased to be part of this important project that will provide a lasting benefit that highlights our greatest natural resource and encourages recreational opportunities for the community and visitors to the area. • Sandusky ex officio mayor Dick Brady: The donations that Cedar Fair (Cedar Point's parent company) has made to the pathway project both in the past and as recently as last week show the continued commitment that Cedar Fair has to both the city of Sandusky and our entire community. This is another instance when both our city and Cedar Fair find their interests completely aligned. Cedar Fair has built its reputation on delivering a high-quality family experience to guests. They understand that this can include a variety of experiences other than riding a roller coaster. This pathway will enhance their guests' experience as well as expose them to a variety of out-of-the-park experiences. Every member of our community will be able to enjoy safely, riding, biking and walking with expanded public access though out the pathway. This donation is a very large piece of the puzzle that will allow us to move one step forward on this project. Q&A Aaron Klein, the city's public works director, offered up more details and explained the project's overall significance: Q: Can you clarify Cedar Point's role in The Landing's formation? AK: Cedar Point, along with Erie MetroParks and the city, was one of the three stakeholders at the onset of The Landing's conceptual design phase a few years ago. That process envisioned what that park and its amenities could be and how it could serve the residents and visitors alike. It is important to build on the popularity of the recently completed 3 to 4 miles of Sandusky Bay Pathway downtown and on the west end — and all of the original three stakeholders want to continue to be proactive in their approach for active recreation in the region. It has been wonderful to work with all of the landowners that have donated land or easements to ensure that the combined vision can proceed successfully. Q: What does this latest donation mean in terms of developing the pathway? AK: They donated waterfront land east of Hemminger Ditch, adjacent to the sports centers' property. That area was needed for The Landing Park, which is intended to provide waterfront access at the easternmost city corporation limits and for those people using the indoor and outdoor sports facilities. There are approximately 1.2 acres of easements being donated through land that will be retained by Cedar Point Park. There are two main locations in this donation agreement: • The first is located on the east bank of Pipe Creek within the peninsula north of Castaway Bay that currently contains a splash pad for the marina. There is a bridge that will span Pipe Creek between Cedar Point Drive and that peninsula. There is also a very small piece by Harbor Parkway. • The second main location is the land between the former Knights Inn and Hemminger Ditch. This is needed as the pathway is intended to contain a boardwalk that spans Hemminger Ditch from Cleveland Road, by the Knights Inn, northeasterly to the future park. Q: How does this initiative fully support the Sandusky Bay Pathway and Landing Park's ambitious goals? AK: This completes acquisition for all water crossings between (the) sports center and Cedar Point Drive. Acquiring this land, which is within the former railbed, will allow us to keep the pathway on the route approved by the city commission. The goal remains to have a bike path separated from the street and as close to the water as possible. This route is extremely important for safety, especially keeping families away from Cleveland Road as much as possible who might be cycling during heavy Cedar Point traffic but also important for the general experience and intention of the Sandusky Bay Pathway within the city. Q: Are there any other recent developments with the pathway or Landing Park? If so, what are they? AK: The city has accepted two grants to date for the full project totaling over $1.2 million and has applied for $4 million more. We have received land donations from Cedar Fair and the Erie MetroParks as well as from Jeff Hartnett, owner of the former Bayshore Beverage property. We are working with all other landowners along the path as well. Q: What are some short- and long-term goals for The Landing to get it complete by that target date of 2029? AK: Depending on the grant funding timelines and requirements, we hope to bid the project in 2022 or 2023 with a 24-month maximum construction schedule. Over the next 12 months, we will need to acquire the remaining easements and finalize our environmental permits. A primer on the pathway With a section along Venice Road (U.S. 6) recently completed, the Sandusky Bay Pathway now totals between 3 and 4 miles albeit segmented. But two of those miles run continuously between AMVETS Post 17 on Putnam Street to Washington Street Pier, encompassing many downtown areas. By 2029, officials ideally want to create an uninterrupted 13-mile-long waterfront route, connecting Sandusky's west side to its east end, linking parks, piers, restaurants, hotels, businesses, wooded areas and more. The Sandusky Bay Pathway, under this vision, would lead into The Landing. At a recent ceremony, city manager Eric Wobser lobbied for the pathway to run 80 miles, linking Cleveland and Toledo with Sandusky serving as the middle access point. "We are extremely hopeful that it will extend past the city limits at least to Bay View and Huron," Klein said. "Of course, there are always huge hurdles when you're thinking that big, but we are aware that there are many communities and townships along the waterfront that would be willing to discuss this vision." Among some upcoming plans for the pathway: • In 2022, pave Meigs Street from Sycamore to Water streets • In 2023, create an off-road section on East Water Street between Meigs and Franklin streets A look at The Landing The Sandusky Bay Pathway — known as a multimodal trail, people can run, bicycle and exercise by any non-motorized means possible — would eventually lead into The Landing, a proposed 27-acre nature space behind Sports Force Parks at Cedar Point Sports Center. Officials want to break ground on this portion no later than next year. The Landing not only incorporates elements of its natural environment but also introduces and invites locals to check out Sandusky's relatively uncharted waterfront region. For decades, it was owned by a privately run company: Griffing Sandusky Airport. Though planners intertwined an aviation aspect into the project: A runway acts as a driveway, guiding people to The Landing's northernmost and centerpiece landmark: The Point. By many different modes — be it driving, walking, running, skateboarding or bicycling — people can head to The Point's marquee attraction, a lighthouse, doubling as an observation tower. The several-story-tall structure should offer majestic views of Lake Erie. Planners also said it'll be an ideal spot for people to gaze at birds migrating over or resting near Lake Erie. Those in the lighthouse can also locate people hopping in kayaks and canoes or jumping atop a paddleboard at one of many boat launching sites. The back bay prohibits motorized boating traffic but encourages other modes of travel. If people don't want to explore or exercise, and prefer socializing, they can grab a drink or a bite at a small, privately operated plaza, leasing space from this public entity. The Point branches off into east and west sections, all of which weave through natural habitats — such as phragmites, or tall grasses stretching upward of 9 feet tall — between Castaway Bay and Eagle Point MetroPark: • To the west, people can traverse through a twisting trail before reaching Castaway Crossing, a pedestrian-only bridge, clearing about 14 feet from current water levels and connecting two separated areas of land. Officials envision Castaway Crossing connecting with the Sandusky Bay Pathway on Cedar Point Drive. • To the east, people can travel on an elevated boardwalk and overlook areas, which provide unobstructed, and unrivaled, perspectives of Lake Erie. While open to tourists, The Landing largely caters to those who call Sandusky, Erie County and the Firelands region home. "Throughout this process, we kept them in mind," said Michelle Johnson, the director of Cleveland-based Environmental Design Group, a firm contracted by the city for this work. "People felt like this needed to be a homegrown project. We tried to come up with all sorts of destinations for all sorts of users and ability levels to create a unique experience and destination for the city of Sandusky." Officials remain optimistic about The Landing's potential. "This project is a unique partnership and a once-in-a-generation opportunity to connect our community to Sandusky Bay via a world-class bike trail and destination green space," Wobser said. "Landing Park will become an iconic Sandusky destination, joining Cedar Point and the Lake Erie islands. Most importantly, this is a public resource that will benefit local residents and tourists alike." Making sense of the dollars and cents Creating The Landing and expanding the Sandusky Bay Pathway represents two transformational long-range initiatives local government officials and city-hired designers have undertaken in recent times. At a cost of $24 million, when including The Landing, the pathway will rely upon foundation gifts, grants and land-use agreements in hopes of fulfilling these ambitious conceptions. Officials vowed to seek additional grant opportunities, donations and outside contributions to offset any local expenses. They are, however, spending a small portion of local funds, through admissions taxes, to fund these initiatives. Once officials receive money to improve a certain area, they'll embark on that portion. In other words, they'll incrementally develop the pathway as land and then funding becomes available.