subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Sun, Jul 20 2008 

Resources

print this story   Print this story
email this story   E-mail this story
  Post to del.icio.us

Photos


THIS ARTIST's drawing of a proposed breakwall path to the Ashtabula Lighthouse hints at some of the many recreational opportunities such a path would provide to residents and visitors. Construction of the 1.3-mile path would be contingent upon getting a local match; proponents have their eyes on a fund that will be created as settlement for damage done to the Ashtabula River.
RALPH BACON / Smolen Engineering

Published July 02, 2007 12:00 am - When Rick Brewer looks at the west Ashtabula Harbor breakwall, he sees more than a long line of huge stone blocks stretching for 1.3 miles to the Ashtabula Lighthouse. He sees the foundation for what could become a local recreational resource and national tourist attraction. Brewer has proposed building a walkway to ...

A vision for Walnut Beach
Plan would use breakwall as base for 1.3-mile path to Ashtabula Lighthouse

Star Beacon

By CARL E. FEATHER

Lifestyle Editor

When Rick Brewer looks at the west Ashtabula Harbor breakwall, he sees more than a long line of huge stone blocks stretching for 1.3 miles to the Ashtabula Lighthouse. He sees the foundation for what could become a local recreational resource and national tourist attraction.

Brewer has proposed building a walkway to the Ashtabula Lighthouse from Walnut Beach as a project that would use some of the anticipated Natural Resources Damages (NRD) money arising from the Ashtabula River remediation.

Brewer is coordinator of the Ashtabula River Partnership, however, he presents the breakwater walkway project as a citizen and it does not come with partnership endorsement.

A preliminary engineering report prepared by Smolen Engineering in Jefferson calls for a 12-foot-wide deck constructed of super plasticized concrete on top of the breakwater to create a level, smooth path to the lighthouse. The path would be used for bicycle, pedestrian and other non-motorized access to the lighthouse.

This walkway would do more than just connect people to a destination; the entire stretch would offer recreational opportunities - jogging, roller blading, bicycling across it's concrete surface; fishing from six handicapped-accessible platforms/emergency care areas with park benches; kite flying, sunset watching and wildlife observation it's entire length. The walkway would connect to a nature trail and provide elevated views of a shoreline marsh, a rare habitat along Lake Erie.

"If it could be done, it would give the public the opportunity to experience on that breakwall something they normally would not get," says Brewer. "I just think that anyone and everyone in the community and those who visit the community could utilize that."

Kevin Grippi, a Smolen Engineering employee and former administrator of the Western Reserve Greenway Trail, says the walkway would essentially become the final stretch of the WRGT, which now ends at West 52nd Street. However, an effort is under way to connect Walnut Beach to the WRGT using a series of short connectors through the city.

The WRGT is part of a rail-trail designed to connect Lake Erie to the Ohio River.

"It would be the most amazing terminus for any bike trail in America," says. Grippi. "I'm convinced it would be a tourist attraction of national significance."

There are precedents for this type of project on Great Lakes breakwaters. Alpena, Mich., has a 1,200-foot section of it's breakwater into Thunder Bay topped with a concrete pad. The terminus is a wider area with benches and fishing access.

Greg Sundin, planning and development director for the city, says the walkway was completed several years ago using grant money from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The walkway is part of a 14-mile non-motorized trail that encompasses city and bayfront parks. "This was an extension of that," says Sundin. "It allowed people to get closer to the water."

He says building the walkway has greatly increased handicapped access to the water; previously, only the first 100 feet of the walkway was paved for easy access. "By doing that extension, the full length of it was opened up so basically everybody can use it," says Sundin.

Grippi says it's ironic that while Ashtabula is situated on the lake, there's no public place where people can easily fish from within the city limits. The walkway would change that, plus give handicap access to Lake Erie from the parking lot at Walnut Beach.



print this story    email this story    comment on this story   

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.




monster
wheels
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Premier Guide


PREMIUM JOBS

POSITIONS
WELDERS $13-19/hr
Lathe/Mills Opr $13-16/hr
CDL Drivers $12-17/hr
...>MORE

TRUCK DRIVER
CDL required, Health ins. & 401K, Apply at Valley Building Center, 5654 St.Rt. 7 South Andover, OH....>MORE

Driver
GO DO BE More
Sign On Bonus of $5000 for
HOGAN TEAMS
HOME MOST WEEKENDS
All company fleets offer ...>MORE

BOOKKEEPER/ TAX PREPARER/ ACCOUNTING ASSISTANCE
Successful candidate will be proficient in the preparation of individual tax returns, farm returns, self-employment retu...>MORE

Nursing Supervisor & Ophthalmic Technicians
Opportunities at
ACMC
Nursing Supervisor
and Ophthalmic
Technicians

Ashtabula County Medi
...>MORE

STNAs 2md * 3rd Shift
Now accepting applications
for 8 & 12 hour shifts.
Excellent wage & benefit package
Apply in person or c
...>MORE

Prevention Education/Specialist Full time
Provides alcohol and other drug education and prevention services to Ashtabula County elementary and secondary schools a...>MORE

LEGAL SECRETARY, CONNEAUT
25 hrs/wk, competitive salary. Send resume to P.O. Box 460, Conneaut 44030...>MORE

Nursing Positions
The Ashtabula County Nursing & Rehabilitation Center is now accepting applications for the following positions.
Pl
...>MORE

FACTORY PRODUCTION
$9.50-$11 per hour
M-F 9AM-4PM
INFINITY RESOURCES INC.
2608 W. Prospect Rd
(Rt.20) - Ashtabula
...>MORE

See all ads

PREMIUM AUTOS

1995 CHEVY BLAZER
4x4, $3000.
(440)964-2850
...>MORE

2004 TRX 450R
Rebuilt 14-1 very clean, fast, lots of extras $4200. 440-813-1457...>MORE

See all ads

PREMIUM HOMES

FOR SALE BY OWNER
Immaculate 1-1/2 story 3BR/ full bath up, awesome kitchen, custom made cabinets, new refrig, built-in oven, cook top, LR...>MORE

Guaranteed Financing
Ash. very nice 2 BR/1ba, roof over system, new carpet, nice patio, NO DOWN PAYMENT. Only $200/mo plus Lot Rent. 440-673-...>MORE

FOR SALE OR RENT
Ash. 2 poss 3BR ranch, 1324 Allen Ave, $98,000. Owner Fin. 813-0313...>MORE

PRICE REDUCED! ROAMING SHORES-
Private like community. Price Reduced. Beautiful home, built by owner, 2.5 yrs old, 2500 sq/ft, 4BRs/4 full baths, All w...>MORE

ESTATE HOUSE FOR SALE
Cherry Valley 3BR/2full baths, full bsmt, wheelchair access. 2 car gar., lrg back deck, 6 acres, pond, built 1997, mins....>MORE

Amazing Value!
2-story home w/ 3BRs/1.5ba on nice dble lot in Saybrook, hdwd flrs, FP, full bsmt, encl. front porch, appls. $74,000. 61...>MORE

I BUY MOBILE HOMES!
Any age condition, location. I buy, sell & finance used mobile homes. Call Brian at .440-549-5957...>MORE

SAYBROOK TOWNSHIP
Lovely home 2200 sq. ft. 3BR 1.5 bath, office, fireplace, in ground pool with equipment house, big deck, with a full pri...>MORE

Ashtabula $29,900 FSBO
5522 Jefferson Ave.  2 story colonial, Liv Rm, Din Rm, Kitchen, 2 Bdr., Alum Siding — Rehab $ eligible.  Perfect Starter...>MORE

AUSTINBURG
Split level, 2212 sq. ft., 3BR, 2-1/2 BA, LR, DR, Kitch., lg. FR with FP, Central A/C, 5 acres with pond, $198,000. Call...>MORE

See all ads



 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2008. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index

rc