Posted by
daver in
City Living,
Go Green on
February 23, 2010 |
no responses The Kent Parks and Rec Director has set a date for a public meeting for the river access improvement project. Element of this project have been in the long range park plan for years and with the receipt of the state grant funds this year the Parks Director is ready to move forward with some river access improvements and he’d like feedback from the public on their preferences. Some of these elements were also developed in the Kent Whitewater Park Study — for more details on the study click here.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
John Idone, Director
Kent Parks & Recreation
497 Middlebury Road
Kent, OH 44240
330-673-8897
Public Comment Meeting
Kent Cuyahoga River Access Project
River Bend Park Development
Kent Parks & Recreation will be hosting a public meeting to solicit comments and ideas for the development of River Bend Park and access improvements around the locks in the Heritage Park area. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 2nd at the Roy Smith Shelterhouse in Fred Fuller Park at 7:00 PM. Written comments will be accepted until March 10th at the Parks & Recreation Office, 497 Middlebury Road, Kent, OH. Kent Parks & Recreation received $250,000 Cooperative Boating Facility Grant from ODNR that will be matched by $50,000 in park funds.
The city has selected R. E. Warner & Associates as the design and engineering consultant. They have an extensive background in park development with local and state parks as well as experience with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
River Access
This project will provide a new access point to the river for boaters to “take out” before the Main Street Bridge and old canal lock. This would be connected to the existing trail to provide a ramped access to the river. For persons interested in portaging around the dam, a set of steps with a canoe glide will be constructed leading up to the trail under the bridge. Just downstream of the Dam will be a second access point. The old wooden steps will replaced and include a canoe glide along with a small landing area to launch back into the river.
Improvements will be made to the existing boardwalk and steps around the Heritage Park area to facilitate portaging around the locks. This will involve removing the existing railing on three sets of steps and retrofitting a canoe glide onto the railing. A small section of the boardwalk will need to be widened.
River Bend Canoe/Kayak Launch
River Bend Park was acquired in 1992 by Kent Parks & Recreation to provide access to the Cuyahoga River north of the dam. At the present time there is no public parking or easy access to enter the river at this park. The construction of a boat launch facility will enable users to park their vehicles and access the river. The installation of the entrance road and ramp will provide emergency first responders a strategically located point of access. The parking lot would have security lighting and a safety kiosk would be installed for boater safety.
River Bend Park Master Plan -
Conceptual Plan - The original Master Plan for River Bend Park is outdated. Comments and ideas are being accepted for the park’s development. This information will be considered in developing the final design for the canoe/kayak parking lot and ramp as well as any additional facilities that could be developed in the conceptual plan.
For additional information please contact Kent Parks & Recreation at 330-673-8897.
