The City of Sandusky was recently awarded $750,000 in state capital dollars for the Sandusky Bay Pathway and The Landing. These state capital dollars will be used for the portion of the Sandusky Bay Pathway that runs from Cedar Point Drive through The Landing.  The city prioritized this funding to provide additional public waterfront access. The Landing, which will be adjacent to and the third phase of the Cedar Point Sports Center Project, is in partnership with Cedar Fair and Erie Metroparks.  

“Once completed, this portion of the Sandusky Bay Pathway will provide unique experiences for passive recreation, hiking, fishing, biking, birding, kayaking and habitat restoration. It will also offer residents improved safety and increased opportunities for improved health and well-being. This project will also result in expanded waterfront access and create a regional and ecotourism destination for the nearly 11 million visitors each year,” shared Richard Brady, Commission President, City of Sandusky. “A special thank you to Representative DJ Swearingen and Senator Theresa Gavarone for their advocacy efforts on behalf of the City for this project. I would also like to thank Capitol Partners for the role they played in helping secure these state capital dollars.” 

The Sandusky Bay Pathway is a multi-use trail that stretches along the waterfront from the east corporation limit to the west corporation limit, connecting along the way to the new Cedar Point Sports Center Project. The goal is to eventually connect each neighborhood to the Sandusky Bay Pathway via neighborhood connector trails, safe pedestrian crossings, bike infrastructure, and multi-use pathways linking residential neighborhoods to the waterfront.

The Landing, which is anticipated to break ground in 2021 or 2022, is one section of the Sandusky Bay Pathway. The Landing will provide a public waterfront park with access to the East Sandusky Bay, and will include two bridges, a multi-story lighthouse, fishing pier, canopy boardwalk and other lower-lying boardwalks. The City is currently working with Environmental Design Group on the design phase for The Landing.

The Landing and the Sandusky Bay Pathway are an important part of the Cedar Point Sports Center and will provide a new recreational amenity for visitors and residents alike,” shared Duff Milkie, Executive Vice President & General Counsel, Cedar Fair. “We are grateful for the State’s continued support of this project. 

The Landing will also be adjacent to Firelands Regional Health Center’s Lee C. Jewett Sports Medicine Center. “Our goal as a health system is to improve the well-being of individuals throughout our community,” shared Jeremy Normington-Slay, President and CEO of Firelands Regional Health System. “The Lee C. Jewett Sports Medicine Center adjacent to the Cedar Point Sport Center is a means to that end and the pathway project will only further these efforts within the community. We couldn’t be more excited for what the future of this project holds.”

Additional portions of the Sandusky Bay Pathway are currently under construction or in the design phase. This includes a portion along Venice Road, which is currently under construction and, which when completed in Spring of 2021, will offer a protected multi-use pathway. Portions along Meigs Street and Water Street, which will start construction in 2022, will join the recently completed portion of the Sandusky Bay Pathway along the reconstructed Shoreline Drive, which features a protected multi-use pathway and Sandusky Bay Pathway’s Mile Marker 0.  

In the future, local leaders hope to expand the Pathway to the eastern border of Erie County as well as to Ottawa County.