Saying bye-bye to Conneaut Lake Park's boardwalk

Local News

Related Photos

Discussion

May 9, 2009

Anonymous The Meadville Tribune Sat May 09, 2009, 09:44 PM EDT

By Lisa Byers

Meadville Tribune

CONNEAUT LAKE — It’s the late 1970s. A young man is enjoying a romantic walk with his girl along the boardwalk at Conneaut Lake Park. Music is playing softly in the background as the the sun begins to set, creating one of the most beautiful sights across the lake.

Everything is perfect.

Suddenly, as the young couple proceeds arm-and-arm down the waterfront boardwalk, a familiar face appears. It’s the girl the young man had just had a date with earlier in the day.

Stories like that, by a man who did not want to be identified, were being remembered Saturday as work got under way to remove the historic boardwalk that opened in 1936.

“I have plenty of memories,” said Meadville resident Doug Turner, who was overlooking the demolition while attending the park for the Thunder on the Lake cystic fibrosis dice run to benefit 2-year-old Warren (Xander) Love. “But none I can share.”

Crews from Park Resoration LLC were removing a section of the boardwalk on Saturday as the first step in rebuilding the famous 650-foot structure. Conneaut Lake Park officials hope to have the first section of the new boardwalk complete by the time the 117-year-old amusement park opens on Memorial Day weekend.

“The framing underneath was in bad need of repair,” said Greg Sutterlin, who operates Park Restoration LLC, along with Tracy Sutterlin and Steve and Joyce Popovich, “along with the decking. This was something that needed to be done.”

As workers were pulling down the old railing posts, the dilapidated wood was disintegrating in the hands due to the obvious deterioration.

Along with the construction of a new boardwalk, which runs from Hotel Conneaut to the Beach Club, Sutterlin said the retaining wall and backside of the boardwalk will also be replaced. The boardwalk will get new railings and lighting.

For now, the project is limited to a 50-foot portion of the boardwalk closest to the Beach Club until additional money can be raised to complete the project. The project is expected to cost about $180,000. Donations are being requested through the Board by Board Campaign. Boards are being sold for $100 apiece and the name of the donor will be laser-engraved into the decking. The park is also taking donations for benches and handicapped-accessible ramps.

“This is very critical,” said Jack Moyers, chairman of the Trustees of Conneaut Lake Park. “We’re excited to start this boardwalk construction along with our Board by Board Campaign to get this started. … Getting the park operational this year is a milestone for the trustees and we’re very excited to have that happen.”

Many would agree.

“This place has been missed by a lot of people,” Turner said. “I remember this place used to be busy all the time. This will be a huge benefit to the park for sure. It’s a wonderful thing.”

Moyers announced earlier last month that Conneaut Lake Park and 90 percent of its rides would be opening for the 2009 season. Rides at the park did not operate in 2007 and 2008 because of financial troubles at the park, although the Beach Club and Hotel Conneaut were open part of the 2007 season and last year as well.

“We’re preserving as much of the history as we can,” Moyers said.“But we have to move forward. We lost a building over the winter, but we’re doing the best we can of making the best of that situation by moving forward and making new memories.”

Lisa Byers can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at lbyers@meadvilletribune.com.

Text Only

Local News

Budget, aesthetics a balancing act at Armory
The next time there’s a moment or two to spare for quiet contemplation, pause in the vicinity of the City of Meadville’s picturesque Diamond Park. Let your eyes rest on Parkside Commons, the meticulously refurbished structure at the northeast end of the park that was once known as “the old junior high.” Make a point of focusing on the windows.

February 12, 2012
Former rockers Drywater enjoying glow from album's rebirth
It’s funny how perceptions can differ from one person to the next; how what sparkles in one set of eyes can appear tarnished in another.

February 11, 2012
Edinboro site eyed for retirement homes
About two years after halting expansion plans into the Conneaut Lake area, Meadville-based Wesbury United Methodist Retirement Community now is looking to expand north into Erie County, possibly sometime in 2013.

February 10, 2012
Langley voted in as Meadville City Council's new member
“Pleased” is the word that best describes Bob Langley’s response to the news that he had been selected to fill Meadville City Council’s vacant seat.

February 10, 2012
French Creek conservation group to benefit from environmentalist's talk
When one of the world’s best known environmentalists, the author and activist Bill McKibben, speaks next week at Allegheny College, his audience will likely be putting some money where its heart is — right into French Creek.

February 10, 2012
Vernon Police chief suspects 'human interaction' in Sunday fire
An investigation is continuing into a weekend fire that destroyed a historic structure in Vernon Township, and Vernon police are urging anyone with information to give them a call.

February 10, 2012
Walker hired to fill Meadville's newest administrative position
The City of Meadville’s soon-to-be-newest administrator is a familiar name in the area and familiar with the city.

February 9, 2012
Edinboro protest planned against proposed state budget cuts
If you’re a student or faculty member at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, don’t be surprised if Trevor Belz, a sophomore from Saegertown, shares some strong opinions with you in the next few days — and urges your attendance at a campuswide protest planned for Tuesday.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
Local legislators: Corbett budget off to a good start
Elected officials representing Crawford County in Pennsylvania’s Senate and House of Representatives are gearing up for what looks like a lengthy budget process.

February 8, 2012
Crawford Central's Heller says new budget plan hobbles school districts
Area educators haven’t had a lot of time to mull over the implications of the budget proposal presented Tuesday to a joint meeting of Pennsylvania’s Senate and House of Representatives by Republican Gov. Tom Corbett.

February 8, 2012
More Local News Headlines

A clean-energy plan to use solar energy in eastern Pennsylvania has been met with resistance, even by environmental groups. Do you think solar energy has a future as a valuable energy source in Pennsylvania?

Local News

Search Results

Related Photos

Discussion

Saying bye-bye to Conneaut Lake Park's boardwalk

A clean-energy plan to use solar energy in eastern Pennsylvania has been met with resistance, even by environmental groups. Do you think solar energy has a future as a valuable energy source in Pennsylvania?

Site Map

Contact Us