Topic: Cleveland: Edgewater Park

[CBC]

Thanks for posting that Scott, unfortunately I will be out of town that weekend.

Baltimore's Inner Harbor is often brought up  as a successful waterfront revitalization when the Cleveland Lakefront development is discussed.They have the same problem with all of the trash being dumped into the harbor via the storm sewers. They have gone as far as to put nets across the small tributaries and to use trash barges such as the one below, and floating booms to collect the floating trash. Basically its a barge with a conveyor that collects anything floating. Not that it could be used at Edgewater specifically  but I just thought I would bring it up as a way other cities are combating the problem.

[WestBLVD]

It's a shame that we've had so much rain this past week with the hot weather. Edgewater beach just hasn't been safe because of all the contaminant run-off (Chicago's beaches are facing the same problems with the heavy rains). For example the E Coli levels earlier in the week were 5,200 cfu/100 ml, a safe level is generally below 100.

[hubz1124]

I believe the Water Dept. overhaul of the sewer system will help with the overflow caused by the rains...

[justine]

I was at Edgewater Beach last Thursday and watched as the crews removed large branches and debris from the water and beach.  Then on Friday I went swimming along with lots of other people and had a great time.  On Sunday, back with my guy. We cooked out.  The water quality was listed as poor so we didn't go in the water. There were lots of swimmers unterred by the Nowcast though enjoying themselves in the water.
The park was filled with a group of drummers, people playing chess, women doing some advanced hula hoop moves, families picknicking, walkers, runners, people fishing.

We saw the most spectacular sunset on Sunday.

As far as park clean up go. Taxes pay for park maintenance. You get what you pay for. All the anti tax people don't realize they can't have it both ways.  I'd rather everyone paid their fair share of taxes and we have excellent public services including beaches.

[hubz1124]

^ Taxes do pay for the work done at the park, but I believe that Edgewater is operated by the State, not the City. Also, if you love the beach/park and love seeing it clean I would invite you to join Friends of Edgewater on Facebook and get involved in the monthly cleanups!

[gottaplan]

I'd actually be in favor of some type of daily/monthly/yearly user pass if it could be shown that it would boost maintenance without hurting attendance.  Michigan does this with most of their state parks.  On the flip side, people might be more inclined to use the park regularly once they paid for a seasonal pass...

[surfohio]

Thanks for posting that Scott, unfortunately I will be out of town that weekend.

Baltimore's Inner Harbor is often brought up  as a successful waterfront revitalization when the Cleveland Lakefront development is discussed.They have the same problem with all of the trash being dumped into the harbor via the storm sewers. They have gone as far as to put nets across the small tributaries and to use trash barges such as the one below, and floating booms to collect the floating trash. Basically its a barge with a conveyor that collects anything floating. Not that it could be used at Edgewater specifically  but I just thought I would bring it up as a way other cities are combating the problem.

We need that contraption here asap!!

p.s. I do love the walkability of Baltimore's Harbor

[willyboy]

Although for urban parks such as Edgewater there would be a big argument about a user fee limiting access for the poor.

It will likely eventually be maintained by the Metroparks.   

[WestBLVD]

I'd actually be in favor of some type of daily/monthly/yearly user pass if it could be shown that it would boost maintenance without hurting attendance.  Michigan does this with most of their state parks.  On the flip side, people might be more inclined to use the park regularly once they paid for a seasonal pass...

I wouldn't mind paying a 10 dollar yearly user pass for Edgewater. However it would be hard to enforce. You'd almost have to go with a parking decal prepurchased versus entry gates. Charging pedestrians and bicyclists at point of entry would be difficult and unnecessary.
 
But as stated above, it could be viewed as a tax on the poor. I bet a voluntary donation for clean up efforts would be just as effective without being political.

[WestBLVD]

The state of Edgewater Park right now is an utter mess. As we enter a major holiday weekend, its appearance is an embarrassment to the city.

It's been more than a week since the storm that downed several trees has passed, but it appears that we will be left with huge limbs and tree segments scattered about, (as was noted before, limbs that had fallen in late winter/spring sat for months untouched with weeds growing all around them)

The lack of physical maintenance in the park, coupled with the lack of ecological/landscaping maintenance, really exacerbates the broken windows theory with regards to trash. Tall weeds, dead limbs rotting for weeks, mounds of wood chips and mulch sitting in the corners of the parking lots makes the park look dirty beyond the trash problem. When something already looks dirty, people don't take as good care of it. Couple that with general trash that floats ashore, and the litter problem overtakes the park.

The problems with the beach/park are numerous

* Litter. No further explanation needed, number one priority for the park, IMO.
* Dog poop. While I love dogs and hate to say it, but please enforce the no pets on beach rule. The signs are everywhere, but no one obeys. The piles of dog poop everywhere are just disgusting. People would like to lay in the grass and on the beach where your dog is taking a cr@p or pis$ing!
* Cruising the park for action. Please take your acts of backseat pleasure elsewhere.
* Petty theft. Don't even consider taking anything to the beach that you would hate to have stolen. Hoodlums have the galls to run up and steal bags and items from beach towels while you are 20 feet away in the water watching them, of course unable to run to shore in time to catch them.
* Drug use. Once again, please take it elsewhere.
* Homeless people who live on the beach and in the wooded areas on the beachcliff. There are a handful of homeless who take up residence in the park and will occasionally harass beach goers.
* Sewage overflows. This summer has had record rainfall and subsequently every time it rains, the E coli levels in the park become too high.
* Junk that flows ashore, not only plastic junk, but leaves, driftwood, branches, dead fish, etc
* Personal Watercrafts/boats and diesel. Some days the smell of fuel is so nauseating it feels like you are laying on a towel on a runway at Hopkins. You can also see a thin film of oil on the water and a haze wafting above during the busiest/hottest of days.
* Algae blooms. I've been noticing a lot of nasty areas pop up close to shore recently. Western Lake Erie is really feeling this problem as of late.

So yeah, that's just my short list of things that I can think of off the top of my head that really need to be fixed. It's daunting.

I also think the resources at the park are not allocated correctly. How many times have you seen a park ranger walking on the beach patrolling? How many times have you seen a park ranger riding a bike on the trails patrolling? How many times have you seen a ranger driving a vehicle along the shoreway pulling someone over or giving someone a ticket on an offramp? BINGO! That right there sends a huge red flag to me. I really wish there was an actual foot presence of rangers/police in the park, rather than this ridiculous presence on the nearby roads that happen to intersect park property.

It'd be nice also if we could allocate some of this park road patrol nonsense to a full time person who just cleans up trash through the park. Sort of a park janitor. If adding that person to the payrolls is that out of the question, how about encouraging job skills to the homeless that live in the park to help clean it up? What about a summer internship to college students and turn the trash collection into a Great Lakes research project? I feel that there is a wealth of knowledge to be learned about the density of trash that comes ashore, weight of materials, where materials come from, type of material matter, etc. Not only does it clean the park up, it contributes to finding point sources, and gives students some experience.

So that's my end of summer rant/suggestions for Edgewater Park. I hope that at summer's unofficial end next year, our lakeside gem doesn't look like the pit that it does now.

[mrnyc]

hmm, i was just there and walked the whole beachfront. obvs i am not there on a regular basis, but i thought it was ok, no better or worse than usual. the beachfront was fairly clean, not sure about further back off that. more storm debris on the western end maybe, yeah, but thats common. could that be cleaned? yeah, keeping in mind thats a regular battle. it was fairly crowded on the eastern end around the lifeguards of course, but also random groups of sunbathers to the west. no, not homeless!! i did see some homeless on the beachcliff, but also a lot of others fishing right around them. several groups playing chess near the beachhouse. many picknickers as well. dogwalkers. the usual. it was a beautiful day and overall i thought it was quite pleasant. if anything, edgewater really needs a modern, large and iconic new beachhouse, but thats always been my pet peeve about it. hell even lorain got a nice new one a couple years ago. again, thats just my two cents from an infrequent visit.

[KJP]

The storm damage that's been left to litter the park is an obvious visual example of neglect. Even I can see that as I speed by on the West Shoreway.

Maybe it's time the city took back Edgewater Park from the state!!

[Etheostoma Caeruleum]

The state of Edgewater Park right now is an utter mess. As we enter a major holiday weekend, its appearance is an embarrassment to the city.

It's been more than a week since the storm that downed several trees has passed, but it appears that we will be left with huge limbs and tree segments scattered about, (as was noted before, limbs that had fallen in late winter/spring sat for months untouched with weeds growing all around them)

The lack of physical maintenance in the park, coupled with the lack of ecological/landscaping maintenance, really exacerbates the broken windows theory with regards to trash. Tall weeds, dead limbs rotting for weeks, mounds of wood chips and mulch sitting in the corners of the parking lots makes the park look dirty beyond the trash problem. When something already looks dirty, people don't take as good care of it. Couple that with general trash that floats ashore, and the litter problem overtakes the park.

The problems with the beach/park are numerous

* Litter. No further explanation needed, number one priority for the park, IMO.
* Dog poop. While I love dogs and hate to say it, but please enforce the no pets on beach rule. The signs are everywhere, but no one obeys. The piles of dog poop everywhere are just disgusting. People would like to lay in the grass and on the beach where your dog is taking a cr@p or pis$ing!
* Cruising the park for action. Please take your acts of backseat pleasure elsewhere.
* Petty theft. Don't even consider taking anything to the beach that you would hate to have stolen. Hoodlums have the galls to run up and steal bags and items from beach towels while you are 20 feet away in the water watching them, of course unable to run to shore in time to catch them.
* Drug use. Once again, please take it elsewhere.
* Homeless people who live on the beach and in the wooded areas on the beachcliff. There are a handful of homeless who take up residence in the park and will occasionally harass beach goers.
* Sewage overflows. This summer has had record rainfall and subsequently every time it rains, the E coli levels in the park become too high.
* Junk that flows ashore, not only plastic junk, but leaves, driftwood, branches, dead fish, etc
* Personal Watercrafts/boats and diesel. Some days the smell of fuel is so nauseating it feels like you are laying on a towel on a runway at Hopkins. You can also see a thin film of oil on the water and a haze wafting above during the busiest/hottest of days.
* Algae blooms. I've been noticing a lot of nasty areas pop up close to shore recently. Western Lake Erie is really feeling this problem as of late.

So yeah, that's just my short list of things that I can think of off the top of my head that really need to be fixed. It's daunting.

I also think the resources at the park are not allocated correctly. How many times have you seen a park ranger walking on the beach patrolling? How many times have you seen a park ranger riding a bike on the trails patrolling? How many times have you seen a ranger driving a vehicle along the shoreway pulling someone over or giving someone a ticket on an offramp? BINGO! That right there sends a huge red flag to me. I really wish there was an actual foot presence of rangers/police in the park, rather than this ridiculous presence on the nearby roads that happen to intersect park property.

It'd be nice also if we could allocate some of this park road patrol nonsense to a full time person who just cleans up trash through the park. Sort of a park janitor. If adding that person to the payrolls is that out of the question, how about encouraging job skills to the homeless that live in the park to help clean it up? What about a summer internship to college students and turn the trash collection into a Great Lakes research project? I feel that there is a wealth of knowledge to be learned about the density of trash that comes ashore, weight of materials, where materials come from, type of material matter, etc. Not only does it clean the park up, it contributes to finding point sources, and gives students some experience.

So that's my end of summer rant/suggestions for Edgewater Park. I hope that at summer's unofficial end next year, our lakeside gem doesn't look like the pit that it does now.

All valid points. All problems. There is not much to do about leaf litter. This is actually from trees and other than a visual aspect, it pales in comparison to the other issues you mention that are top priority. Clean up after a storm is a must, but general leaf control along the shore by nature taking its course is another thing. Part of the reason we have trees toppling into the water in the first place is due to shoreline abuse which results in erosion. So, let's focus on those many other issues you bring up immediately.

I doubt the city would be much better with the stewardship of this park based on how I see other public spaces under their watch maintained. They cannot even adequately deal with all the butt and other litter on the S.W. corner of the square, Let alone a 13 mile park system (couple that with the east side portion that current staff is responsible for as well). I actually would hate to see them get their hands on this park. If the Metro-Parks take over, as is possible as I have heard....that would be the better situation.

This current state park crew is down to a skeleton staff. Resources parks need to be able to deal with these issues have, like public transportation, have been eroding for years. It is really bad when you get a guy like Kasich in office now. If Cleveland wants to "re-connect" wit its waterfront, it would be nice that we demonstrate current excellent care in places where we DO have access.

Albeit, this park has also experienced a less than enthusiastic care crew in the last few years. But there IS new management that is working close with volunteers to address these issues. I like the fact that you pointed out issues like inappropriate behavior. This is often overlooked but has been addressed at meetings. This place should shine like a crown jewel in our area park system, but obviously it is not. The good news is that more participation to address and correct these issues is coming into the spotlight.

For now, I'm afraid there is no magic wand or savior of this place other than neighbors and other concerned people getting involved in the clean-ups,  writing or calling your elected officials and ask them to not vote to slash anymore funding for parks management..... Come to a Friends Of Edgewater meeting....  just get involved once a month. Power in numbers.... If this does not happen, the place will be lost to all the above you write about.

Just the activity you mention is a first sign of the broken window theory. In many parks they'd be escorted out immediately. Much of what you state is already in the works to correct... It is good to see someone care enough to itemize issues they encounter. I will share them. 

Stay positive meanwhile....The best way, right now, to make a difference is to get physically involved with these efforts. Hope to see all those concerned, who live here,  get involved.  Clean-up Saturday, September 10th. Many are concerned about this place but too few actually get involved. The efforts could use help.

[Etheostoma Caeruleum]

Thanks for posting that Scott, unfortunately I will be out of town that weekend.

Baltimore's Inner Harbor is often brought up  as a successful waterfront revitalization when the Cleveland Lakefront development is discussed.They have the same problem with all of the trash being dumped into the harbor via the storm sewers. They have gone as far as to put nets across the small tributaries and to use trash barges such as the one below, and floating booms to collect the floating trash. Basically its a barge with a conveyor that collects anything floating. Not that it could be used at Edgewater specifically  but I just thought I would bring it up as a way other cities are combating the problem.

If we'd make better choices as consumers such as reducing plastic, this would make a difference. A great book on the harms of using plastic and Styrofoam type materials (one big component of trash/litter debris) in the food system is called "Slow Death By Rubber Duck". Clean-ups alone, without reducing use of these materials in society when simply not necessary,  can be futile...sort of like bailing water out of a boat with a bucket full of holes. Refuse, Reduce, Re-Use, Recycle...in that order.

[gottaplan]

Just got a response to my monthly email to ODOT regarding the W. 76th pedestrian tunnel to Edgewater.  Previously posted in the Shoreway thread, but I don't want to reopen that can of worms.  Project was on hold due to redesign & budget issues for retaining wall foundations along the railroad tracks.  ODOT has the project out to bid, bids due in June, awarding in July.  Hoping to start & finish the work yet this year.  No way that happens.

In other news, the State actually bulldozed the sand on the beach to level it for the first time in a few years, also brought in a grinder & ground up the massive pile of logs & junk left from last year.

[KJP]

Thanks for the good news on both fronts.

[surfohio]

The article that needs to be written, again and again, until something meaningful is accomplished.

Cleveland's lakefront parks have problems that go beyond trash and weeds: Mark Naymik

Published: Saturday, June 23, 2012, 4:00 PM
By Mark Naymik, The Plain Dealer

The condition of Cleveland's state-run lakefront parks is worse than I thought.
I detailed on Tuesday some of the shoddy upkeep at three parks – Euclid Beach, Wildwood/Villa Angela and Edgewater -- noting overgrown grass, uncollected trash and the poor conditions of amenities, from rotting picnic tables to busted restrooms.

Urged by beach users to stay on the issue, I looked this week beyond the cosmetic problems and discovered something more outrageous than overflowing trash cans.

I discovered years of bureaucratic inaction, which is more challenging to unclog than the toughest public toilet.

The poor condition of the Cleveland's lakefront park system, which also includes Gordon Park and the East 55th Street Marina, dates back to at least 1978. That's when cash-strapped Cleveland, a lousy steward of the properties, handed them to the state.

In 2004, The Plain Dealer documented the parks' poor conditions under state control. The story and related photos generated public outrage and prompted the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to immediately launch an aggressive but short-lived assault on the weeds and graffiti and other problems.

read the rest here:
http://www.cleveland.com/naymik/index.ssf/2012/06/clevelands_lakefront_parks_hav.html

[joey1320]

I drive by Edgewater Park everyday to/from work and everyday I ask myself, why isn't this park utilized to its full potential? 

I'm baffled at the fact that our "beach" is nothing more than a huge parking lot.

Where are the attractions?  Build 15-20 food stands and rent them out to local chefs and entrepreneurs to sell their foods. This will attract people. Make it legal to consume alcohol within this area and have a small stage where bands can perform.

Just make it a destination for people. Kinda like Whiskey Island but 10 times bigger.

[BelievelandD1]

^The state owns edgewater and has a contract with the restaurant and honey hut and that contract says no other vendors on the property.  granted thats a bad contract to sign, and it could be changed...but as for right now, cant have it. 

I agree, need more public art, beauty, etc.

[joey1320]

^The state owns edgewater and has a contract with the restaurant and honey hut and that contract says no other vendors on the property.  granted thats a bad contract to sign, and it could be changed...but as for right now, cant have it. 

I agree, need more public art, beauty, etc.

I'm not sure why the state would be so dumb as to sign such a contract. You just automatically tie your hands behind your back by giving someone else a monopoly.

[gottaplan]

^they don't have anyone to supervise basic services like trash pickup & mowing.  They definitely don't have anyone to coordinate concerts, food trucks, and other vendors...

[joey1320]

^they don't have anyone to supervise basic services like trash pickup & mowing.  They definitely don't have anyone to coordinate concerts, food trucks, and other vendors...

Then find someone...
How difficult could it possibly be?

[gottaplan]

I agree.  With such a huge asset that Edgewater is, I think it could be a money maker with very little effort.  Promote some local music concerts & art shows, charge the vendors a fee to sell goods & merchandise there.  Install some high quality sports fields, either softball, volleyball, whatever.  Have a winter skate park.  Pretty soon you've got a steady income stream and a building base of users.  More than enough activity to justify a year round "event coordinator". 

As it is now, there is zero promotion that goes into Edgewater Park.  Outside of "Friends of Edgewater", there is no social media, nothing promoting the handful of events that take place there like the kite flying convention, the ultra-marathon, the recycled flotation competition, etc.

[joey1320]

Well I'm glad to know there is a kite convention that takes place there. I just received  a bunch of Gayla kites; the Sky Spy and Baby Bat styles.

[joey1320]

But on a serious note, yes there could easily be an event coordinator/park manager that could produce a constant stream of profits for the state.

Like I mentioned, create a designated area for eating, drinking and events. Take full advantage of the location and the views...

[MyTwoSense]

I agree.  With such a huge asset that Edgewater is, I think it could be a money maker with very little effort.  Promote some local music concerts & art shows, charge the vendors a fee to sell goods & merchandise there.  Install some high quality sports fields, either softball, volleyball, whatever.  Have a winter skate park.  Pretty soon you've got a steady income stream and a building base of users.  More than enough activity to justify a year round "event coordinator". 

As it is now, there is zero promotion that goes into Edgewater Park.  Outside of "Friends of Edgewater", there is no social media, nothing promoting the handful of events that take place there like the kite flying convention, the ultra-marathon, the recycled flotation competition, etc.

That all sounds nice but I have two words for you "insurance" and "security" at a state park.  There is a crap load of red tape when you use a state facility.

[joey1320]

So apparently every other major city in the US has managed to figure out a way to use its parks to the fullest potential but Cleveland...

[MyTwoSense]

So apparently every other major city in the US has managed to figure out a way to use its parks to the fullest potential but Cleveland...

generalizing are you?

[327]

There certainly could be more programming. 

Biggest problem is that Edgewater wants to be a beach, and even though thousands use it as a beach every year, it really isn't one.  You can hardly walk barefoot there at all.  Hats off to those folks who volunteer to clean it.

[surfohio]

So apparently every other major city in the US has managed to figure out a way to use its parks to the fullest potential but Cleveland...

This is extremely frustrating. In fact, it's especially disconcerting because there is so little access to the water here. And the precious access we do have is not taken care of. Government inaction.

[surfohio]

Ok, I'm back in an optimistic mood. Anyone else think it would be a good idea to have retail along the northern/lakeside of the Shoreway/Boulevard? Like, not so much as to block views. But just enough for some critical mass.

This is St. Joes Michigan. Sorry I couldn't get a closer pic. But imagine if the building atop the hillside featured better architecture, like to match Don's Lighthouse. You could park along the road. The stairway could usher people down the grass hill and onto the beach. The paved walking path would be improved (boardwalk!) and there is plenty of room down there for further smart development ie retail, nature center, fire pits, changing rooms, etc.

Ya know, the kinda stuff that's around most every other beach in America.

[gottaplan]

So apparently every other major city in the US has managed to figure out a way to use its parks to the fullest potential but Cleveland...

This is extremely frustrating. In fact, it's especially disconcerting because there is so little access to the water here. And the precious access we do have is not taken care of. Government inaction.

They are working to address it.  If all goes as planned, in another 4-5 years, there will be access at the following:
W. 65th - pedestrians
W. 73rd - cars & pedestrians
W. 76th - pedestrians
Lake Ave - pedestrians
West Blvd - cars & pedestrians

[surfohio]

So apparently every other major city in the US has managed to figure out a way to use its parks to the fullest potential but Cleveland...

This is extremely frustrating. In fact, it's especially disconcerting because there is so little access to the water here. And the precious access we do have is not taken care of. Government inaction.

They are working to address it.  If all goes as planned, in another 4-5 years, there will be access at the following:
W. 65th - pedestrians
W. 73rd - cars & pedestrians
W. 76th - pedestrians
Lake Ave - pedestrians
West Blvd - cars & pedestrians

Those are all access points to Edgewater.  My point was- and sorry I wasn't clearer- is most of the lakefront in CLE is off limits. The section that is available, aka Edge, is a rare luxury and should be exalted. But it's not; instead it remains an underutilized asset.

[bumsquare]

Beyond access, I don't really see any problems with Edgewater.  I don't want any retail beyond ice cream there. It really is one of my favorite places in Cleveland. The fact that it is a great big open field next to the lake is it's best quality. I can think of nothing better than a summer afternoon at Edgewater with some grilling materials, a beer, and a frisbee.

[surfohio]

Beyond access, I don't really see any problems with Edgewater.  I don't want any retail beyond ice cream there. It really is one of my favorite places in Cleveland. The fact that it is a great big open field next to the lake is it's best quality. I can think of nothing better than a summer afternoon at Edgewater with some grilling materials, a beer, and a frisbee.

Please don't take this the wrong way, but have you been to other beaches?