I just got back from the Jersey Shore. It was amazing, the coastal atmosphere was truly magnetic, drawing crowds of tourists and locals to the water's edge. It got me wondering about all that Cleveland has lost. While memories linger on in old pictures of Euclid Beach Park and names like the "Beachland Ballroom" the wide sandy beaches and their crowds are long gone. The shoreline here is in bad shape. It's no longer a major attraction, but that has to change soon. Certainly it's possible to re-establish the lost beaches. And it's possible to design a waterfront that will once again be livable and beautiful. Even something simple, like a well placed boardwalk would be a step in the right direction.

 

http://app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060531/NEWS/605310390

We have great beaches in the region.  Cleveland (city) beaches need work but are a big draw, someone here said that the make up of the region the, the sand/bedrock/soil in parts of the city make it more difficult to work our lakefront and beach community.  But we have plenty of BEAUTIFUL beachfront property in the area.

Mentor Headlands is a nice beach. But imho there is no surrounding development to compliment it as a major attraction. I have not seen "plenty" of beautiful beaches in the area as you say. You may be right, but how could anyone know that when so few areas are available to the public. I have mostly seen lots of concrete and rebar cast about in a poor attempt to control erosion. 

 

Interesting point about the bedrock/soil/sand issue. I wish the Lakefront Plan went into more detail about the issue regarding coastal engineering.

 

As for Cleveland, there is no single, central destination for everybody to congregate in the warm months. It feeds the misconception that cleveland isn't a "happening city."  But as far as the waterfront is concerened, it is a ghost town.  I think the crowds that attend events like the rib cookoff, Flatsfest (RIP), etc. would be here each weekend if there were a public boardwalk with retail, arcades, and waterfront views.

Mentor Headlands is a nice beach. But imho there is no surrounding development to compliment it as a major attraction. I have not seen "plenty" of beautiful beaches in the area as you say. You may be right, but how could anyone know that when so few areas are available to the public. I have mostly seen lots of concrete and rebar cast about in a poor attempt to control erosion. 

 

Interesting point about the bedrock/soil/sand issue. I wish the Lakefront Plan went into more detail about the issue regarding coastal engineering.

 

As for Cleveland, there is no single, central destination for everybody to congregate in the warm months. It feeds the misconception that Cleveland isn't a "happening city."  But as far as the waterfront is concerned, it is a ghost town.  I think the crowds that attend events like the rib cookoff, Flatsfest (RIP), etc. would be here each weekend if there were a public boardwalk with retail, arcades, and waterfront views.

 

ah...we have the Erie island, Fairport harbor, Geneva to name just a few outside of the county.

 

Here are some inside the county.....http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/parks/clevelkf.htm.

 

I agree there could be more development near them as "true tourist spots" but most place in northern Ohio are "weekend", "summer" homes...and I actually like NE Ohio's better than Jones beach or fire island or the Jersey shore as the beaches are relaxing and not a zoo or over run with pretentious Queens!

...as the beaches are relaxing and not a zoo or over run with pretentious Queens!

 

Except you, right?

 

*ZING!*

...as the beaches are relaxing and not a zoo or over run with pretentious Queens!

 

Except you, right?

 

*ZING!*

 

Exactly .....  Learn it!!  :evil:

Erie Islands.....Fairport.....No fair, you are going way way beyond the boundries of Cleveland!!!   :wink:

 

Ironically, both mentioned have such "beautiful" views of nuclear power plants.

 

p.s. NJ beaches are not all crowded!!

 

http://www.state.nj.us/travel/virtual/islandbeach/ibsp_beach1.shtml

 

 

euc beach is lost to history, but edgewater and it's neighbor whiskey island could evolve into something like that. i dk about a jersey style boardwalk, but i always thought edgewater should at the very least have a kickin mega-beachhouse with beer, food, beach staples, arcade games and multi-level/roof seating and stuff.

 

btw did you take any pics? the local news was saying how it was the very best holiday weekend ever "down the shore" there as they say.

I agree with you 100% about Edgewater and Whiskey Island. It's very frustrating because anyone should see the potential there. Especially with the possibility of the Towpath bringing ped and bike traffic right through to the Coast Guard station. Also it would be so easy and beneficial to construct your beach house at Edgewater. I would not be averse to setting aside space for retail and residential there either. Revenues generated could pay for making Edgewater look respectable.

 

As far as a NJ style boardwalk goes, I can very easily picture one connecting the Flats East Bank, extending north of the along the River. (couldn't the rail bridge be modified to allow people to cross the river?) There you could recreate the long lost Euclid Beach atmosphere I believe. I think the only difference from copying NJ's layouts would be that a city like Cleveland deserves much better architecture alongside. It could look classic. The drawback is that there is no beach of course. But as far as bringing residents and visitors close to the water, that is still a great option.

 

Sorry I only took pictures of waves on my trip back home. I have a one track mind!!

Erie Islands.....Fairport.....No fair, you are going way way beyond the boundries of Cleveland!!!   :wink:

 

Ironically, both mentioned have such "beautiful" views of nuclear power plants.

 

p.s. NJ beaches are not all crowded!!

 

http://www.state.nj.us/travel/virtual/islandbeach/ibsp_beach1.shtml

 

 

 

First of all, you are comparing The Atlantic Ocean to Lake Erie.  Yes, we have beaches here, they could be a little nicer, but no matter what they are, they wouldn't be a tourist attraction.  The great lakes beaches are not well known for drawing millions of tourists per year.  THey are pretty much there for pleasure boating and jet skiing, not laying out in the sun.  I remember years ago, they had a great lakes surfers association that kind of just flopped. 

^

have you ever been to chicago's lakefront?  definitely lots o sunbathers, etc

 

^

have you ever been to chicago's lakefront?  definitely lots o sunbathers, etc

 

 

Especially that lil beach right by the shed  :wink:

GoTribe I don't even know where to begin re: your post!!! But anyway, I predict the Indians to go on a roll. 

 

Interesting: The Great Lakes Exposition brought in 7 million visitors and $70,000,000 in tourism money between 1936-1937.

 

http://www.earthstation9.com/index.html?193637_g.htm

 

I say bring back the Aquacade.

^ I say bring back Surf Ohio t-shirts.  :lol:

Right now there is a CRUISE SHIP entering the harbor...it's dockingjust west of Cleveland Browns Stadium!!!!

cool

That's awesome. We need details!

I can't find any info. But it looks like this:

 

http://www.caribbean-boat-charters.com/images/power_charter_yacht.jpg

 

Granted, it's not the size of Carnival Cruiseline or anything. More like a bigger, sleeker version of the Goodtime.

^that looks like a yact, not a cruise ship. I saw a cruise ship last September just outside of Burke. 

A yacht? Perhaps I have to brush up on my nautical terminology, ha ha.

 

To me it looked similar in size to the Great Lakes Cruise ships I've read about. It certainly dwarfed the 18 wheel trucks beside it.

 

Anyhow, I would love the idea of taking a trip to Chicago, Toronto, Grand Haven, Niagara, etc.