City, marinas battle over shoreline access

CLEVELAND (AP) -- The city is at odds with local Lake Erie marinas over removing security fences and giving the public better lakefront access.
Officials of the city, which is trying to make the lakefront more tourist-friendly, want the marina gates open and the fences down within five years so people can enjoy lake vistas and touch the water's edge. There are eight marinas and boat clubs along seven miles of shoreline in the city. "We feel it's time to exercise the public's right to the waterfront," said city Planning Director Chris Ronayne. "This is not privately owned property." But the boating community won't easily give up its exclusive access to the shoreline. Boaters fear reducing security fencing would increase the risk of robberies and vandalism at marinas located on publicly leased property.
The state runs two marinas in Cleveland that are fenced and gated, allowing in only dock holders and guests. Scott Zody, deputy director for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, which operates the marinas, agreed that removing security fencing could lead to problems.