The Observation Deck

Has this ever been in the works or considered? Giant Eagle location? Kaufman Park? Lakewood Park tennis court area? Anywhere in Lakewood?

Corey

Sorry, to better expand what I meant...similar to the one offered at the Rocky River Rec Center. They also have a beautiful outdoor facility as well. Lakewood's largest pool, Foster's, does have a children's "mushroom" fountain, but where is the slide, palm trees, water canons et al? Madison Pool even has a slide. Foster Pool can't use up their entire budget on chlorine and kickboards, can they?

Hi,
While there was no indoor provisions for water sports, Savannah's Peninsula plan did have a "Spraypark" with all sorts of water activities including water cannons, slip'n'slides into the Lake and various paddle-boats and kayaks. Additionally, the east side had swimming from the beach to the peninsula with various floating islands for destinations to rest or sunbathe. Water flow forms were also there. The west side was a full service marina for the big kids' "toys".

I, well my kids, would love even an outdoor park. All of them have had the pleasure of attending pool parties in other communities and they have loved all the various slides and lazy rivers that other community pools offer. We love going to Beck's pool for the slide but it is very small and can be quite packed. Foster is quite large but not much to do. The other thing that frustrates my kids is that when they are at the pool their isn't much to do. They'd love to be able to use something as simple as dive sticks but nope those aren't allowed. In the end my boys end up throwing googles and chasing after them, until they get yelled at. Oh and no splashing and no rough housing at all. Come on we need something maybe just a bit more fun.

How do we vote for that Peninsula Don?????

lol Danielle the most beautiful pool with the most rules. And what about more chairs for the parents at these pools? That cement is hard!!!

Justine Cooper wrote:How do we vote for that Peninsula Don?????

lol Danielle the most beautiful pool with the most rules. And what about more chairs for the parents at these pools? That cement is hard!!!

It's my understanding that our Summer pool operations lost a large amount of money for Summer 2008. ( a drain on city resources) Source: Pool Mgr at Foster Pool

Let's assume the pools have another financial repeat of Summer 2008:

What would you say if the city decided to close Foster Pool or Becks Pool? What if the city consolidated current resources to develop a better operated pool that is responding to most of the needs and wants of our residents? Do we need an outside consultant to advise the city on the direction it should take with the pools-should the pools prove to be an overwhelming burden in this tough economic climate?

A manager at Foster Pool told me that she wouldn't come to Foster Pool if is she was a kid-it's no fun. ( THE NO FUN ZONE FOR KIDS)

Part of the problem with a one pool scenario is that the largest of our two pools is not easily accessible for most of the patrons of Beck's pool. During the summer Beck's pool is full of kids there alone and going down to Lakewood Park to swim probably wouldn't occur. I think that was also part of the reason why Madison Library stayed. Also pools and such are not money makers, they are quality of life issues. Would anyone dare to say let's close Lakewood Park because it cost too much to maintain and is a money loser? I highly doubt it.

Hi,
Ms. Cooper, you asked,

"How do we vote for that Peninsula Don?????"

Elections are just around the corner. Ask the new people where they stand on it. Look at how the people in office have done moving the proposal forward. My great granddaddy, used to farm and when he didn't like the crop one year, he planted a different crop the next year. Well, we may need more new faces.

We had arranged State funding for the next step (which is a feasibility study) but neither the Mayor or Council would do the very minimal steps needed to get the State dollars. Those dollars didn't come to Lakewood. They went to another City that wanted them. Who knows that city may now have a shovel ready project that is getting federal funding. The Mayor and Council had to say they wanted to do a feasibility study. All Lakewood had to contribute was some labor/some involvement from the planning dept. - but that was too much work.

I must say here that the only real supporter, in City government, of the peninsula was then Councilman Demro. He did all that he could to help move it forward. Perhaps, politics hurt us with his support. But, I must thank Ryan for his efforts and regardless of what you think of Ryan, he truly cares about Lakewood's future. Kevin Butler attended a meeting that Savannah set up with a major developer that was interested. Ask Mr. Bulter about the meeting and what he thinks needs to be done. The developer in the meeting stressed, they had to find out what Lakewood wanted and the plan needed to reflect those desires.

Savannah is not in this for money. She wants to help Lakewood. She knew how fortunate she was to be able to go to Clifton Beach and enjoy Lake Erie. She wants a beach for all of Lakewood to enjoy. She designed a great beach for all of Lakewood while designing in a means to fund it. She has said many times she is a designer not a politician or a planning director. To get this proposal to the real world, she can't do it alone. She needs help. This isn't a 1 month slam dunk. It needs work. Someone has to be willing to put in the time that is needed on the planning department side. Savannah is still happy to work on the project, but she needs someone that understands politics and the benefits of the design.