The Observation Deck

Did you ever try to walk or ride your bike on Hogsback Lane? You literally have to dodge the cars so you don’t get hit.

Ever try to walk on the west side of Riverside to observe the Peregrine Falcons? From Hilliard to the Metroparks Hogsback Lane, it is difficult. Wouldn’t it be great to have a pathway with lookout points along Riverside Drive?

The City of Lakewood, the Kamm’s Corner Development Corporation, the Cleveland Metroparks, and the City of Cleveland are looking for public comments to study the pedestrian access to the Cleveland Metroparks.

We need Lakewood citizens to attend these public meetings and express their thoughts on the existing condition of Hogsback and the possibilities for improving access. Please tell your neighbors and attend the following meetings:

First Public Input Meeting

Thursday, December 14, 2006
7:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.
St. Mark’s Community Room
15800 Montrose

Second Public Meeting

Thursday, January 18, 2007
7:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.
St. Mark’s Community Room
15800 Montrose

At this meeting, the conveners will present preliminary recommendations concerning potential methods of improving access and how to better connect the Cleveland Metroparks with the surrounding neighborhoods.

The Final Public Meeting is to be determined.

We need to get the word out. Ask your friends to attend the meetings. If you can distribute flyers in your neighborhood, please email Bill Grulich at bill@4dsgn.com

Let me know what you think.

For those not familiar with what Bill is talking about I will post some photos from the Observer look into the safety problems and issues from June.

At that time, the city said "not our problem" the Metro Park said "not our problem" the country said "not our problem" and the state said "not our problem"

I am glad to see something coming of this.


Gordon Brumm walking off paces to measure and to show how low the Armco Barrier is.


At some places the guard rail is lower than the road.


At other places the guardrail is only 1' high, which is the perfect height to launch a car. Car have gone over the cliff without injury, but a launched car would fall 200' straight down. That's a killer!


Gordon! Come back! Gordon Brumm takes a look over the edge.


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The City has more information at:
http://www.ci.lakewood.oh.us/citynews_hogsback.html

From the brief study Gordon and I have done.

Lakewood's piece is nearly perfect.

Cleveland's section is breaking up, guard rail needed.

From Cleveland's thirty feet to the bottom, a dangerous nightmare. I have heard that the city is looking to spend $53,000 studying this.

I would be happy to give the city, my photos diagrams and measurements for a donation of $20,000 to the Lakewood Christian Center. Put the other $23,000 into sidewalks on Edgewater Dr. east of the Park.


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A reminder that the second public Hogsback Lane meeting will be held tonight at St. Mark School, Montrose and W. 159th, per Bill Grulich's post above. I believe the meeting will focus on prioritizing some of the ideas generated at the first meeting.

Hope to see you there.

Kevin Butler
(Ward 1 Councilman)