The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Having their say City says it will include public in development plans for parks
The city of Sandusky will include the public in any development proposals for its parks, according to a statement issued by the city.
“Since the passage of Issue 8 in 2014, the city of Sandusky has significantly invested in upgrading and enhancing parks throughout the city and on the waterfront — notably Lions Park, Shoreline Park and Pipe Creek Wildlife Area,” said Tom Horsman, communications manager for the city manager’s office.
“Sandusky’s parks are a critical component in making the city a great place to live,” Horsman said. “In addition to upgrading existing parks, the city has also heavily invested in adding green space to the Jackson Street Pier, connecting our waterfront spaces with the Sandusky Bay Pathway project and planning a new park space at the Landing — the waterfront site adjacent to the Cedar Point Sports Center.
“In the recently adopted Downtown Sandusky Master Plan, Battery Park was identified as an area for significant enhancement.”
The plan called for improving the public green space areas, adding a boardwalk with continuous public access to the waterfront and connecting to the Sandusky Bay Pathway, as well as adding mixed-use development, he said regarding the city’s proposed plan for Battery Park.
“The city has been committed to improving public waterfront access at the site and maintaining or exceeding the amount of green space that currently exists,” Horsman said. “The city has also been committed to having a public process for any development proposals for Battery Park.”
A political action committee called Sanduskians for Sandusky has been collecting signatures in an attempt to take over the decisions regarding the sale and management of city’s parks.
The committee has garnered more than 300 signatures in its mission to put the measure to a vote in the Nov. 8 general election through a proposed change in the city’s charter.
“We’re very well on our way,” Tim Schwanger, press secretary for the group, said last week.
Aug. 10 is the deadline for the petition to be handed in for the November election, according to an Erie County Elections Board spokeswoman.
“Additionally, citizens have the right to submit a petition to get a proposed charter amendment on the ballot,” Horsman said. “Petitions that meet the legal requirements for submission are then certified by the City Commission and sent to the Board of Elections.
“The city respects the rights of any citizens to follow this legal process.”
The committee’s goal is to “place the final decision regarding the sale, lease and private development of city parks with the registered voters of Sandusky,” stated a news release from Jennifer Ashburn, a committee member.
“The city of Sandusky’s charter requires a Charter Review Committee to review the provisions of the charter every five years,” Horsman said.
“That committee makes recommendations for changes to the charter, and those proposed changes are put on the ballot for the voters to approve.
“This most recently happened in 2020.”
The committee said its primary concern lies with Battery Park, an approximate 30-acre site located in the 700 block of East Water Street, which includes a small plot of land that was included in the city’s foundation in 1818.
Battery Park currently contains a privately owned marina and dock area with a pool and public access to tennis courts, a skateboarding and picnic area and other attractions.
“The city has been committed to improving public waterfront access at the site and maintaining or exceeding the amount of green space that currently exists. The city has also been committed to having a public process for any development proposals for Battery Park.”
— Tom Horsman, communications manager for the city manager’s office