Public access to the waterfront and outdoor greenspaces is vital to the social fabric of a community and to individuals’ health and well-being. Ohio lakes and rivers provide space for recreation, social gatherings, and simply a place to cool off.
Yet, 90 percent of Cuyahoga County’s shoreline is inaccessible to everyone except for private businesses and residents privileged enough to live near the lake. Both social and physical barriers have prevented residents, especially in low-income communities, from interacting with our region’s greatest asset—the water. How can lakefront cities leverage development and land use policy to make waterfront access more for equitable for all?
Over the last several years, three Ohio cities – Euclid, Sandusky, and Cleveland – have taken steps to increase waterfront access: Euclid recently completed the first part of the city’s lakefront trail as part of its Waterfront Improvement Plan. Sandusky invested millions into the Jackson Street Pier and new bikeway. Cleveland transformed Edgewater Park, constructed the Whiskey Island Bridge, and plans to activate the riverfront at Irishtown Bend.
Freddy L. Collier, Jr.
Director of City Planning, City of Cleveland
Kirsten Holzheimer Gail
14th Mayor of Euclid
Eric Wobser
City Manager, City of Sandusky
Rick Jackson
Senior Host/Producer, Ideastream Public Media
