Vermilion beach to become 'world-class destination'

VERMILION — New and enhanced amenities aim to make a Vermilion beach bigger, better and more accessible to all community members. On Tuesday, city officials and project partners — namely the Western Reserve Land Conservancy and Erie MetroParks — unveiled plans for a completely enhanced Main Street Beach at this site. It's located on Main Street's northern edge not far from the famed Vermilion Lighthouse. Among what's all involved in this $2.3 million project: • A new comfort station, which consists of a bathroom • A new parking lot with a turnaround so cars can more easily enter and exit the paved portion • New sidewalks leading to the property • A new kayak and canoe launch • New landscaping and other beautification efforts • More safety features The goal revolves around turning Main Street beach into "a world-class destination," said Andy McDowell, the conservancy's vice president of western field operations. Western represents the state's largest land trust and helped Vermilion with various land-related efforts in getting this site ready for future development. Erie MetroParks, meanwhile, also contributed in protecting and improving this waterfront asset. Designers also made certain those aforementioned amenities and more will be handicap accessible, ensuring Main Street Beach's revitalization allows anyone, residents and visitors, to enjoy Lake Erie's shoreline. Revitalizing Main Street Beach will allow anyone more opportunities to enjoy Lake Erie's shoreline. "The goal is to ensure public access to Vermilion's most symbolic property," said Marc Weisenberger, Vermilion's parks supervisor for its parks and recreation department. Vermilion's Main Street Beach welcomes hundreds of daily visitors during summertime. "The city's beach is a public attraction that few other Ohio towns can boast," according to an event statement. "With only 20% of Ohio's lakefront property along Lake Erie open for public access, Main Street Beach is a precious natural resource treasured by residents and visitors alike." People can expect construction to start later this year and continue through fall. Officials want to finish the project and debut it prior to summer 2023. Plenty of project notes Here's a quick look at some other interesting tidbits from Tuesday's on-site presentation • Strengthening the shoreline: The project site encompasses the western half of Main Street Beach, the half beach-goers know as housing the historic Vermilion Lighthouse. In the plans, Western ensured to work on protecting the land and strengthening its shoreline. "High water levels and wave action have badly damaged the existing green space, eroding city-owned land that serves as a public gathering space and allows visitors to view both the lighthouse and Lake Erie," the statement read. • Demolishing a dilapidated site: Many might recall the project involved acquiring and demolishing two homes near the beach and the demolition of the Wakefield Mansion and Inland Seas Museum. Designers stressed these buildings were "dilapidated" and "that would have required much more funding to rebuild and restore." "This critical lakefront property will now be permanently protected, ensuring the beach and park will be here now and for future generations," McDowell said. "The improvements to the beach area will address community needs and provide a natural, publicly accessible area for people to get outside and enjoy the lake." • Realizing the need: During the pandemic, officials got a better understanding of how important parks are to people. One study showed an increase of 124% of people visiting an Erie MetroParks property in 2020 versus in 2019. It also convinced people to rally around and garner support for Main Street Beach's upcoming makeover. "Standing by Lake Erie in beautiful Vermilion it is easy to understand how collaborative projects like these promote the health and overall well-being of residents and visitors," said Melissa Price, deputy director at Erie MetroParks. "We are proud to partner with both the city of Vermilion and Western Reserve Land Conservancy in protecting and improving the Main Street Beach area." Making sense of the dollars and cents The project breaks up into three phases: the beach itself, the 2.3 acres south of the lighthouse and the Erie MetroParks section at the west pier by the river. Based on the $2.3 million, some of the larger costs consist of: • $475,000 to build a permanent comfort station facility • $125,000 to construct a handicap accessible parking lot • $60,000 for gardens and green space "It's a split between private philanthropic dollars from individual donors and local foundation support to public dollars," said McDowell, adding that public dollars come from several pots, such as the city's parks board budget and Vermilion's general fund or everyday operating budget. Donations have accumulated $1.7 million so far, according to the conservancy. Officials continue searching for funds, such as grants, to fully offset this expense. "Very little of all this beauty is the responsibility of your city government," Vermilion Mayor Jim Forthofer said. Beyond the financial generosity of donors, Forthofer also appreciates those who he calls the "greatest ambassadors" of Vermilion: the volunteers "who give up their labor, sweat and often personal resources." Forthofer specifically mentioned those helping out on the parks board and port authority. He also thanked the conservancy along with state and federal officials as well as Erie MetroParks. The park district is also partnering in this program.