An abundance of natural assets provides residents and visitors with rich outdoor experiences, from lakefront to riverfront, to the Metroparks and to eight city parks with two tot lots. “Our parks allow for connections to the community and in many ways, they speak to a community’s identity,” says Mayor Pamela Bobst.
Ongoing park investments include updating several playgrounds following the evaluation of their structures, says Bob Holub, the city’s director of recreation. There is new equipment at Morley Park, and a proposal was finalized for equipment at Martin Park. A playground update has also been approved for Tri-City Park.
“Walkability is also a focus,” Holub says.
The city is working on pathways during the coming year to improve connectivity, including repaving the path around Linden Park and the Rocky River Civic Center, along with adding walkways.
“We are looking at adding a connector between Elmwood Park and Bradstreet’s Landing across Lake Road to provide continued access points,” adds Rich Snyder, the city’s director of public safety-service.
In keeping with a master plan developed with the city’s Parks and Recreation Foundation, the overlook at Rocky River Park is now complete and provides improved access to the lakefront. The overlook is dedicated in memory of longtime resident Jody Frost, a gift from the family. “Not only is it meaningful, it’s a wonderful asset,” Bobst says.
The overlook complements other park features, including the pavilion with a stone fireplace that is home to the city’s concert series and other performances. The space is also open to the public for events and casual gatherings. “It is heavily used and a place where residents hang out, eat lunch or share dinner with loved ones,” Holub says.
With the diversity of parks Rocky River offers, there truly is an outdoor space for everyone, whether to play tennis, go fishing, play ball or enjoy a picnic. “On any given day, you can have a different experience at one of our parks,” Bobst says.
Bradstreet's Landing
Sunset lovers, beach glass combers, birders, paddleboarders, fishing enthusiasts and causal strollers have long migrated to Bradstreet’s Landing and its pier, a pivotal Lake Erie watch point and destination. Now phase two of the highly anticipated project is complete, following the June reopening of the reimagined pier.
The undertaking began with Cuyahoga County Council’s 2018 approval of funding to reconstruct the 590-foot-long pier, which was originally built in two phases. The nearshore section was completed in the 1960s, and the 330-foot extension was done in the early 1980s. Part of the due diligence process involved inspections. “We had no reason to believe there were any issues with the pier, but we didn’t have records or the expertise to evaluate its structural integrity,” explains Bobst.
But once the divers submerged, they immediately encountered deteriorated crossbeams. “They didn’t even take off their dive suits before calling us from the pier to say, ‘You have to shut this down,’” Bobst recalls.
So began a yearslong undertaking to restore, rebuild and revitalize Lake Erie’s longest public fishing pier, which attracts more than 15,000 visitors annually.
Upon further investigation, the nearshore portion that weathers the most wave action required the most attention. The section beyond it was sound. “The priority was to get the pier fixed, and that required six permits,” Bobst explains.
Then came the pandemic, with its material shortages, construction labor pains, waiting and more waiting. Equally taxing was the complexity of a waterfront project involving many stakeholders, including the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Port of Cleveland and the Ohio EPA.
“Why is this taking so long?” residents and visitors wanted to know.
The Setbacks
The project broke ground in fall 2020, before extensive permitting and COVID-19 shutdowns slowed progression. “We did everything within our contractual capabilities to keep the project moving, but you can only do so much,” says Snyder.
He acknowledges that with delays and labor woes, the “COVID escape hatch” is a common disclaimer. But for anyone who started a homebuilding or remodeling project amid the pandemic, there’s likely a different perspective. Material costs shot up, budgets were reconfigured, contractors were hard to come by and promised timelines changed. The second phase of the Bradstreet’s Landing project had to be rebid multiple times to accommodate carefully stewarded budgetary parameters.
However, the revitalization project that launched with a surprising inspection evolved into a visionary, albeit more-complicated-than-planned, initiative, one that elevated a sought-after Lake Erie asset into an accessible, attractive gem in Rocky River.
The Outcome
A commemorative medallion set into the pier was specifically designed with help from the National Museum of the Great Lakes. The fishing pier’s cantilevered design is purposefully angled so those fishing can rest against the surface, and those who require a wheelchair can roll up and comfortably cast a line.
With the completion of phase two, the parking lot was reconfigured, recognizing visitors’ preference to drive in, circle around, park and enjoy the views. A 115-foot-long waterfront boardwalk and 90 feet of stepped revetment along the shoreline allow pedestrians to enjoy an up-close experience. There is increased beach access with space for paddleboarders and kayakers to offload their watercraft.
A sculpture was commissioned to highlight the importance of recycling and keeping beaches clean. Additional plans called for a rain garden and lighting. Restrooms will be available closer to Lake Road in 2024.
While the master plan illustrated a building on the lakefront for event rental, it would have inhibited lake views. “We didn’t want it to compete with the beautiful lake and, instead, chose to make the pier simple and elegant,” Bobst says.
Parking was also reduced, recognizing the previously underutilized lot. “We wanted to maximize the green space as much as possible,” Snyder says. “We have opportunities to increase parking over time if necessary.”
Bobst says, “This is a special place where we can enjoy an amazing variety of activities, and its history is so foundational to Rocky River.”
