The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Painesville Twp. Park Pier exceeds expectations, attracts thousands in 1st year
Since it debuted last October, the 200-foot pier at Painesville Township Park has proven to be an immediate success for Lake Metroparks Executive Director Paul Palagyi as well as local fishermen.
Anglers from all over the region, namely steelhead fishermen, have identified the pier as a prime location to cast their reels and have been known to show up to claim a spot as early as predawn, Palagyi said.
“Visitors of all ages have enjoyed fishing,” he said. “It’s gotten to the point where it’s become a family affair. Fathers have brought sons, grandfathers have brought grandsons. The summer months have been great and we’re expecting more next year for night fishing.
“Steelhead are just starting and will be strong for the next month. The lake, however, is supposed to be very rough for the next week or so which will keep everyone away. I am sure there will be a few days in the next two weeks when it will be good fishing.”
With the addition of the pier, rentals at the park’s Community Center have also risen after staying steady annually.
“The pier, it’s become part of the event, with people walking down and enjoying it, including wedding parties,” Palagyi said. “We have been especially glad to see visitors with mobility impairment issues out watching the sunset and enjoying the pier. That’s why it was important to us to put in the ADA-accessible path, which was part of the project. The positive response to the pier’s opening has exceeded our expectations.”
The pier, 20 feet in width and standing 10 feet above the lake, was constructed in two stages, with an 800foot anti-erosion wall costing $619,000 and the pier itself totaling $1.96 million. A 50-foot bridge connects the pier to the shoreline.
The structure is mounted atop weathered, open steel baskets, or “cribbing.” The baskets, filled with boulders topped with concrete, sit on the bottom of the lake. Steel pilings, sunk down to bedrock, are welded to the baskets.
The design dissipates the energy of the lake, allowing waves to break inside the pier rather than slamming up against a concrete wall, Palagyi said.
Since it was unveiled, over 80,000 people have visited the new Lake Metroparks amenity, with visitation numbers steadily climbing over the summer — 9,800 in June; 16,064 in July; and 20,044 in August.
Lake Metroparks utilizes a laser counter at the top of the stairs overlooking the pier to document its numbers.
Other than a few minor challenges, including cracks in stairs leading down to the pier and vandalism, the first year has gone great, Palagyi said, adding appropriate action is being taken to remedy the stairs.
“We’ve been fortunate to have had no major issues, and the pier is monitored by a security camera,” he added. “As far as the young man who took one of the two mounted life rings, we know he got the message when he had to stand before (Painesville Municipal Court) Judge Cicconetti.
Additional plans to further enhance the property are also being considered.
“Looking forward, our hope is to be able to eventually connect Painesville Township Park to Fairport Harbor along the lakefront, to have a nice trail along the lake, Palagyi said. “We want this to remain an interest in Lake County for generations to come.”