The Landing coming to Sandusky's unexplored frontier

SANDUSKY — A proposed pathway not only incorporates elements of its natural environment but also introduces and invites locals to check out Sandusky's relatively uncharted waterfront region.Preliminary drawings for a $24 million project, called Landing Park, show the nature trail encircling a 27-acre section off Cleveland Road (U.S. 6), behind, or just north of, Sports Force Parks at Cedar Point Sports Center.A conceptual drawing shows overhead shots for a project called Landing Park, a $24 million initiative to create public access behind Sports Force Parks at Cedar Point Sports Center and around Sandusky Bay's back bay.The 2-mile-long multipurpose public passageway primarily runs along Sandusky Bay's back bay, an area rarely accessed by anyone because, for decades, it was owned by a privately run airport.Though planners intertwined an aviation aspect into the project: A runway acts as a driveway, guiding people to Landing Park's northernmost and centerpiece landmark: The Point.By many different modes — be it driving, walking, running, skateboarding or bicycling — people can head to The Point's marquee attraction, a lighthouse, doubling as an observation tower. The several-story-tall structure should offer majestic views of Lake Erie. Planners also said it'll be an ideal spot for people to gaze at birds migrating over or resting near Lake Erie.An artist rendering shows one aspect of a multifaceted project called Landing Park, a $24 million initiative to create public access behind Sports Force Parks at Cedar Point Sports Center and around Sandusky Bay's back bay. The main attraction would include an area, called The Point, and its lighthouse, doubling as an observation tower. Those in the lighthouse could also locate people hopping in kayaks and canoes or jumping atop a paddle board at one of many boat launching sites. The back bay prohibits motorized boating traffic but encourages other modes of travel.An artist rendering shows one aspect of a multifaceted project called Landing Park, a $24 million initiative to create public access behind Sports Force Parks at Cedar Point Sports Center and around Sandusky Bay's back bay. The project would incorporate a plaza, where people could eat, drink and socialize, along with several launch sites for people riding kayaks, canoes and paddle boards.If people don't want to explore or exercise, and prefer socializing, they can grab a drink or a bite at a small, privately operated plaza, leasing space from this public entity.An artist rendering shows one aspect of a multifaceted project called Landing Park, a $24 million initiative to create public access behind Sports Force Parks at Cedar Point Sports Center and around Sandusky Bay's back bay. The project would incorporate a plaza, where people could eat, drink and socialize, along with several launch sites for people riding kayaks, canoes and paddle boards.The Point branches off into east and west sections, all of which weave through natural habitats — such as phragmites, or tall grasses stretching upward of 9 feet tall — between Castaway Bay and Eagle Point MetroPark.An artist rendering shows one aspect of a multifaceted project called Landing Park, a $24 million initiative to create public access behind Sports Force Parks at Cedar Point Sports Center and around Sandusky Bay's back bay. The project would incorporate natural elements, such as a 2-mile-long multipurpose pathway weaving through an area called Canopy Walk.To the west, people can traverse through a twisting trail before reaching Castaway Crossing, a pedestrian-only bridge spanning several feet above the water and connecting two separated areas of land. Officials envision Castaway Crossing connecting with the Sandusky Bay Pathway on Cedar Point Drive, expanding upon the city's only recognized bicycle trail.An artist rendering shows one aspect of a multifaceted project called Landing Park, a $24 million initiative to create public access behind Sports Force Parks at Cedar Point Sports Center and around Sandusky Bay's back bay. The project would include an area called Castaway Crossing, a pedestrian-only bridge spanning several feet above the water and connecting two separated areas of land. Motorized boats normally and legally accessing this waterway should still be able to travel underneath the bridge. To the east, people can travel on an elevated boardwalk and overlook areas, which provide unobstructed, and unrivaled, perspectives of Lake Erie.An artist rendering shows one aspect of a multifaceted project called Landing Park, a $24 million initiative to create public access behind Sports Force Parks at Cedar Point Sports Center and around Sandusky Bay's back bay. The project would incorporate natural elements, such as a 2-mile-long multipurpose pathway weaving through an area called the East Landing Overlook.Project detailsPlanners want to break up the project into chunks, developing and then debuting one or two areas before moving on to a different section. All told, and as proposed, the project could take 15 years to complete.Construction at an undetermined site should start in 2018, coinciding with Sandusky's bicentennial, or 200-year anniversary. Landing Park's first section could open as soon as 2020.An artist rendering shows one aspect of a multifaceted project called Landing Park, a $24 million initiative to create public access behind Sports Force Parks at Cedar Point Sports Center and around Sandusky Bay's back bay. The project would incorporate natural elements, such as a 2-mile-long multipurpose pathway weaving through an area called Phrag Tunnel Boardwalk.Funding could also delay certain project aspects. Landing Park's development mainly relies upon resources provided by the three entities working together on this project —Sandusky's government, Erie MetroParks and Cedar Fair, which also owns the Sports Force's property — to cover costs. They'll seek out grants, donations and outside contributions to offset their own expenses.The conceptual drawings culminate a year-old brainstorming process in which planners spoke with many stakeholders, which included average citizens, asking them how they envision this land best serving locals."In our meetings, we learned it was very important to protect the natural environment but make it an active space," said Michelle Johnson, the director of Cleveland-based Environmental Design Group, which oversaw The Landing's design process. "We wanted to open this up and make it a regional destination."An artist rendering shows one aspect of a multifaceted project called Landing Park, a $24 million initiative to create public access behind Sports Force Parks at Cedar Point Sports Center and around Sandusky Bay's back bay. The project would incorporate natural elements, such as a 2-mile-long multipurpose pathway weaving through an area called Canopy Walk.While open to tourists, The Landing largely caters to those who call Sandusky, Erie County and the Firelands region home."Throughout this process, we kept them in mind," Johnson said. "People felt like this needed to be a homegrown project. We tried to come up with all sorts of destinations for all sorts of users and ability levels to create a unique experience and destination for the city of Sandusky."An artist rendering shows one aspect of a multifaceted project called Landing Park, a $24 million initiative to create public access behind Sports Force Parks at Cedar Point Sports Center and around Sandusky Bay's back bay. The project would incorporate a plaza, where people could eat, drink and socialize.Sandusky officials and the city commission, to this date, fully support the plan."This project is a unique partnership and a once-in-a-generation opportunity to connect our community to Sandusky Bay via a world-class bike trail and destination green space," Sandusky city manager Eric Wobser said. "Landing Park will become an iconic Sandusky destination, joining Cedar Point and the Lake Erie islands. Most importantly, this is a public resource that will benefit local residents and tourists alike."An artist rendering shows one aspect of a multifaceted project called Landing Park, a $24 million initiative to create public access behind Sports Force Parks at Cedar Point Sports Center and around Sandusky Bay's back bay. The project would incorporate a plaza, where people could eat, drink and socialize.Landing Park backgroundThis past March, three entities — those representing Sandusky's government, Erie MetroParks and Cedar Fair — teamed up to develop Landing Park.They all committed money to fund a $160,000 planning process, which involved a professional group drawing up designs.In a perfect world, this proposed public passageway — catering to walkers, bicyclists and other non-motorized traffic — would link up with the Sandusky Bay Pathway, an incomplete trail network primarily snaking through downtown Sandusky.Local officials always envisioned the pathway stretching from Sandusky's western edge off Venice Road to Cleveland Road just before Huron Township.An artist rendering shows one aspect of a multifaceted project called Landing Park, a $24 million initiative to create public access behind Sports Force Parks at Cedar Point Sports Center and around Sandusky Bay's back bay. The project would incorporate natural elements, such as a 2-mile-long multipurpose pathway weaving through an area called the Floating Boardwalk.A stakeholder from all three organizations spoke on the project's importance:• Sandusky engineer Aaron Klein: We'd like it to be set up as a hub for active transportation, which would not be limited to the bike path or birding platforms. Hopefully, this site would provide access to active transportation within the bay as well, such as canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, etc.• Erie MetroParks executive director Amy Bowman-Moore: Erie MetroParks hopes this collaboration will provide trails and scenic areas for the public to explore while visiting or living in Erie County.• Cedar Fair's executive vice president and general counsel Duff Milkie: I want to emphasize the importance of this being a community builder. We want to activate the land that is up against the bay. We want to make sure it would be an active space that would allow for natural recreation and interaction with nature.An artist rendering shows one aspect of a multifaceted project called Landing Park, a $24 million initiative to create public access behind Sports Force Parks at Cedar Point Sports Center and around Sandusky Bay's back bay.Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.An artist rendering shows an overhead image of Landing Park, a $24 million project to create public access behind Sports Force Parks at Cedar Point Sports Center and around Sandusky Bay's back bay.