During the heyday of our local industrial revolution manufacturing came here for the water and produced thousands of jobs. Industry for the most part is gone and probably for good. However, one thing remains the same, is still here and big as it ever was and cleaner than it’s ever been, Lake Erie.
Why is it that we have one of the largest lakes that is, in my humble opinion, underused? Why is it that Lake Erie is not filled with double or triple the number boats and jet skis? Why aren’t paragliders filling the sky and regattas, power and sail, every weekend all summer and into the fall?
We have this huge body of water to play in that travels the entire northern part of the state, and it seems that we have decided to let homes populate the shoreline leaving the chance for commercial development out. Now, I don’t disparage anyone who is lucky enough to live on the lake. However, there are plenty of sections of the shoreline that could be developed into something that looks like any one of the beaches along the east coast.
True we won’t be giving Miami any competition, but folks, I think we can give the Jersey shore a run for its money. We share a common gift with the East coast, a large body of water, and the East coast realized they had a gold mine and have taken full advantage. Multitudes of other areas have done the same thing, Myrtle Beach, Virginia Beach, the list goes on. Moreover, we do not have to worry about the dangerous weather that the east coast and Florida must deal with. Cities that sit on the Lake Erie need to take the gift and run with it. Lakeview Park is a good example of a good start. Catawba and the area of Ottawa County is also a good example, but we need to take it to the next step. Again we need to think big and bold.