Return of boat launch buoys area residents

Some residents are concerned about security at the site.
BY MATT BIXENSTINE
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
LAKE MILTON -- Dick and Bonnie Dewberry have seen many changes wash ashore during their 32 years of lakefront living.
The latest -- the return of the Pointview Boat Launch -- has the couple feeling cautiously optimistic. "We've lived here over 30 years," Bonnie said. "This is going to be a big change for us."
The boat launch and picnic area at Pointview Drive's dead-end site, out of operation since the state bought it from Youngstown in 1988, will reopen within the next several weeks, barring construction delay.
As the site's next-door neighbors, the Dewberrys, 17249 Pointview Drive, both enjoyed the original launch's location and endured inconveniences it entailed for the residential neighborhood off Lake Milton's east shore.
"I'm glad to see they're fixing it up," Dick said. "There might be some problems, but there's problems with everything. I'm optimistic it will be a really nice place."
Concern
Now with the launch's reopening near, the most pressing concern for many Pointview Drive residents involves security issues associated with increased road and water traffic.
"I would prefer to see it closed at a reasonable hour," said Cynthia Freeman of 17239 Pointview Drive. She's familiar with problems involving parks from her employment with Stow Municipal Park. "Reasonable people don't need to boat 24 hours a day."
The Dewberrys, who suffered property theft during the existence of the original launch, said the new launch must be monitored.
There used to be a guard that closed the old launch every evening, Dick said. "He knew the people who would be coming in off the water and would wait for them.
"It would be great [to have a guard again], but it's probably cost-prohibitive," he said. "They should at least have someone down here on heavy traffic days."
Phil Miller, resource planning administrator for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Watercraft, said the site will remain open 24 hours, particularly to accommodate fishers. Security precautions, including regular patrolling, have been taken.
"We want to maximize recreation opportunity for users by keeping it open 24 hours, if we can provide lighting and clear views," he said. "I'm sure locals have concerns, but they also have a facility that will be convenient to them."
The $562,925 project includes an asphalt parking lot, lighting, a new concrete boat landing and handicap-accessible restrooms, said Barbara Toporcer-Neill, Lake Milton State Park manager. It will become the third state boat launch ramp serving the 1,685-acre lake.
Property value
Freeman said the launch will provide easy lake access for her boat and personal watercraft, while potentially increasing resale value on her home.
"The primary reason people move to a lake is they get sick and tired of hauling a boat back and forth," she said. "Here you buy a house and the boat ramp is two houses down."
Other provisions will be taken to accommodate Pointview Drive residents, Mahoning County Sanitary Engineer Joe Warino said. Phase 1 of a three-phase effort to provide area residents with Youngstown water and sewer should commence in late August and be completed by next summer. In addition, the road servicing the launch was repaved Tuesday as boat launch construction neared completion.
Bonnie Dewberry said the state has been cooperative with respecting resident's privacy in constructing the launch.
"They assured us it's for picnics and boat launch," she said. "If that's what it is, that's fine -- everybody needs a place to go."
mbixenstine@vindy.com