18-05-2025
Renovated Lake Shore Park pond opened
ASHTABULA TOWNSHIP — The upper pond at Lake Shore Park was officially reopened Friday morning after renovations were completed earlier this spring.
'Today we want to thank all of the you who are responsible for the renovation of the upper pond,' Ashtabula Township Park Commission Chairman Brian Hubbard said.
More than 20 people attended the event, which included a ribbon cutting at the pond entrance.
Hubbard gave a brief history of the park that started in 1906, and also discussed Indian Trails and Cederquist Park, which are owned by the commission.
Hubbard said the two ponds have been at the park since its inception, but the last real work done on the ponds occurred in the 1930s, when members of the Civilian Conservation Corps worked on the ponds.
He said the two ponds are signature elements of the park, and the lower one was overhauled in 2001. Plans were made for the upper pond shortly thereafter. The park faced some challenges and it was delayed.
He said plans were prepared in 2018-19 but the coronavirus pandemic created challenges for the park, with supply and labor costs skyrocketing.
Finances for the project were finally secured in 2024, with a donation from Civic Development Corporation, assistance from Smolen Engineering and capital from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Capital Improvement Fund secured with the help from State Representative Sarah Fowler Arthur, Hubbard said. Andover Bank also provided funds to make sure the project happened, he said.
Hubbard said a new lighted water fountain has been delivered and will hopefully be installed in the next several weeks. He said two black swans have been welcomed to the pond and more birds are likely to be added in the future.
