By John Arthur Hutchison, The News-Herald  POSTED: 01/15/14, 1:30 AM EST 

The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency has awarded a $75,000 grant to enhance access to the lakefront in central Lake County communities.

The Central Lake County Lakefront Connectivity Plan has been proposed by a consortium of agencies seeking to develop a trail to link participating communities and recreational sites such as Headlands Beach State Park, Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park and Mentor Marsh State Nature Preserve, and the Greenway Corridor.

The consortium comprises Mentor, Painesville, Grand River, Painesville Township, Fairport Harbor, Lake County Planning Commission, Lake Metroparks, Laketran and Lake County General Health District.

According to the application, the study encompasses 24.34 square miles, and includes 201 linear miles of road, 13.6 miles of existing bike lanes trails, multipurpose paths, water trails, and limited transit access.  The proposed project would product a transportation network plan showing an integrated recreational network of bike lanes, multipurpose paths, walking trails, water trails and transit access through portions of the five communities with links to Lake Metroparks trail connectors.  The project would identify and prioritize missing physical and programming linkages, and recommend a system to improve connectivity among a series of coastal, recreational and scenic destinations.

Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy, who as a commissioner is a member of the NOACA Governing Board, said the consortium submitted a cohesive and cooperative plan to improve transportation routes throughout the area to access the lakefront.
“I salute the collaborative effort of local governments and other public entities in putting the winning proposal together; we eagerly look forward to seeing the solutions the consortium devises to enable all citizens a path to enjoying our most prominent, and certainly, our most precious regional resource — Lake Erie,” Troy said in a statement to announce the grant award.
Lake County Deputy Health Commissioner Ron H. Graham said the goal is to support all modes of transportation, including cars, bicycles, kayaks or by foot to promote a healthier lifestyle.

“The Central Lake County region has numerous recreation and natural areas, entertainment and dining venues, businesses, and neighborhoods that provide a unique character and a rich quality,” Graham said. “By connecting them through a cohesive alternative transportation network of pedestrian, bicycle and water trails, it will enhance the region’s identity as a place to live, work, visit and play.”