This is a picture of  East Harbor State Park Beach in the 1960s, it is located on Lake Erie, on the North Shore in Ohio

Letters from our supporters!

Dear Beachaid,

I support your efforts and interest in removing the barriers on the beach at East Harbor State Park. I am a 78 year old native Catawba Islander and can remember when the area was owned by a private hunting club before the state purchased it. My neighbor was the caretaker for the club for a few years.

The beach had been there for hundreds of years and had weathered many storms before the state installed the rip rap that destroyed the beach. If you visited the beach before the erosion control was installed you will remember the natural sand barrier that we had to climb over to gain access to the beach. This was a natural barrier that was created over the centuries and if it was washed out by 
"nor easter's" it would self regenerated. If you look east as far as Gem Beach you will see how the beach regenerates itself when left without barriers. That shoreline was subject to the same North Easter in 1972 that hit East Harbor.

I am sure that if all the structures along the beach were removed the beach would reconstruct itself over time. I would like to see the money that would be spent on studying the problem be instead spent on removing the structures that are preventing nature from restoring the beach to its pristine past.

I hope you will continue in your efforts in this regard.

Good Luck. B.S.  September 3, 2006

Dear Beachaid,

I am very glad someone has finally taken the initiative to restore East Harbor State Parks Beach. I have very fond memories of visiting the beach as a child. In fact my extended family used to have an annual camp out at the park, but since the beach eroded we have stopped that tradition. My wife and I lived in California for 4 years while I was in the US Marine Corps. We spent a lot of time on the beach, and we were hesitant to leave. Since moving back to Ohio we have considered moving somewhere that we could be closer to the beach. If East Harbor's beach was renovated we would very likely be content with remaining here in our homeland. We would be happy to assist you further in this great cause. Sincerely, D.C. July 31, 2006

Dear Beachaid,

It has recently come to my attention that you are interested in the reclamation of the beach at East Harbor. What good news! I can remember visiting that same beach as a girl growing up in the 60s. The beach was enormous! Our family had plenty of room to spread out to play in the sand and water.

The same is not true today. First the insufficient parking and the long trek to the beach itself, then not having any room at the beach for the family to play. Don't even think about having a picnic lunch. Now it's the rare occasion that our family frequents East Harbor. When we do, we remember why we don't go more often-it's not worth the hassle.

If there is a way to have our beach back (along with the bath house, parking and picnic areas), my family would be all for it! Good luck to you. Sincerely, B.W. June 20, 2006

Dear Beachaid,

I heard about your proposal to get the State of Ohio to look at restoring the swimming beach at East Harbor. Sounds like a great idea!

I spent a good many days of my youth on that beach and never would have imagined that it would be gone someday. If only my kids and grandkids could have seen and enjoyed it.

I remember arriving early in the day while there was still parking. It always got very crowded in the afternoons. The state park kept the beach raked and clean. It was a perfect place for a family to spend a day, swimming, digging in the sand and picnicking. We loved to walk to the concession stand and buy suckers which ended up full of sand. There was a big sand dune where the cement wall is now and we used to get wet and roll down it and then go back in the water and wash the sand off. As a teenager, I met lots of kids from all over the state on the beach. It was a safe  and fun way to socialize in a family atmosphere.

The last few years before the sand washed out from the cement wall, there were so many people at the beach, they had to shuttle them in from outside parking lots.

I am not aware of any beach open to the public in this part of the country that compares to the wonderful beach we had at East Harbor.

Good luck with your efforts.  B. R.  July 13, 2006

Dear Beachaid,

After hearing about research and plans to restore the beach at East Harbor, my heart filled with joy. Could it be a possibility that my favorite childhood vacation destination live once again with the sounds of splashing and laughter? What a wonderful idea to bring your research and restoration project to the ODNR so that we may someday soon begin to enjoy that marvelous beach!

I remember how clean and clear the water was along that long stretch of golden sand. My family and our friends would camp at East Harbor State Park at least twice a month for the whole weekend of fun and sun. There is nothing I remember more vividly than spending time with family and friends and splashing along the beach. I have not been back to the beach since the rock wall was put up until last year. My husband and I took our dogs to play and reminisce and we were utterly disappointed. Not only could we not get down to the beach to put our feet in the cool water, we couldn’t even see a beach at all. Our memories of the beach and East Harbor State Park do not have to fade. We would love for our children to be able to enjoy this wonderful location and create their own memories there.

Mr. Taylor, we support your research and plans to renovate what was once a spectacular beach and tourist spot.  Best of luck!  S.C.  July 28, 2006

Dear Beachaid,

It has come to my attention that you are in pursuit and study of the reclamation of the damaged sections of the beaches at East Harbor State Park. I was not aware that the East Harbor State Park beach was in such dire condition. My wife was planning on a camping trip this summer to take our daughter and her son and daughter to experience the same thing that we did as children. The beach was the one thing that all the kids looked forward to. I guess we may have to re-think the trip, but hope you continue your efforts in the reclamation of our East Harbor State Park beach. I guess it is the usual political and financial influences that persuade our Officials in charge to sway their decisions so they can impress and keep their jobs. More and more I see people being put in charge of major projects, departments, divisions, companies, only because they are yes people and have a piece of paper that most probably has MBA on it, and it doesn’t mean they have any experience in that particular job. It used to be that most important positions used to be held by people with experience but that is not the case anymore.

If something is not done we will lose another State Resource which our children will never experience. I thought the ODNR was always in support of our State’s natural resources and the recreation for its people. I hope you are able to generate some interest in others and hope that the true voice of the people can be the final answer and not some Chosen One and their shirt tail cohorts. J.C.  July 13, 2006

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