History of Lakeview Park

History of Lakeview Park. .
In the early 1900's, Lorain was a city on Lake Erie with no lakefront property for the public to enjoy. Corporations, railways, and private landowners were gobbling up any lakefront property that was available. Afraid that the public would eventually be isolated from the lakeshore, Lorain City officials started looking into purchasing land. They found 42 acres on the north and south sides of West Erie Avenue, which is now known as Lakeview Park., Leonard Miller Moore, the Mayor of Lorain from 1916 to 1917, was the energy behind purchasing Lakeview Park for the city. Three offers were placed before the Mayor and City Council from the Chamberlain Estates. The first was to purchase the 19 acres along the lake for $42,500. The second included the land offered in the first proposal and 21.9 acres on the south side of West Erie Avenue for $52,900. Finally, Chamberlain offered all of the 119 acres along West Erie Avenue for $100,000 which Mayor Moore believed would be a "good buy" if the city could get the same price for portions of the property that they would not be able to use. After much discussion and some concern that the property was too far out of town for citizens to enjoy, councilmen decided to purchase 19 acres north of West Erie Avenue and 21.9 acres south of West Erie Avenue for $53,551.38., Following the purchase, the city started looking into ways to improve the park so families could enjoy hot summer days there. The public bath house was constructed to house changing rooms, concessions, and a deck overlooking the beach. For the daredevils, park officials installed three diving boards between 10 - 15 feet over the water and a slide. On a hot day, the park could accommodate 2,000 visitors., In 1924, a storm formed over Lake Erie. As it came across Sandusky Point, this storm spawned a tornado which devastated Lakeview Park as well as the City of Lorain. Eight individuals lost their lives in the park and the beach house was destroyed, with the exception of the concrete arched columns on the lower level. The beach house was rebuilt twice after that, always maintaining the concrete arched columns., The Lorain County Metro Parks leased the 19 acres of property on the north side of West Erie Avenue from the City of Lorain in 2006. Extensive renovations, including a new bath house, were completed in 2007. The style of the bath house is reminiscent of the original 1917 building, including the use of the original concrete arched columns on the lower level., Historical Lakeview Rose Garden , The Rose Garden at Lakeview Park was originally dedicated on May 30, 1932 and was sponsored by 17 community organizations, including The Lorain Rotary and Garden Club. The shape of the garden, a wheel with eight spokes, is the Rotary Club emblem. Approximately 2,500 roses are planted in 48 beds with connecting walkways, completing the Rotary wheel and spokes., In 2005, the Lorain County Metro Parks was pleased and honored to be offered the opportunity to restore this amazing and historical site., The renovation and restoration of the Historic Rose Garden at Lakeview Park in 2006 and 2007 was made possible by the combined efforts of local businesses, groups and organizations, and citizens of the community. Roses have been planted to honor and commemorate loved ones who have had ties to the community or to the garden itself over the years., To this day, the Rose Garden is a landmark in Lorain County. The Lorain County Metro Parks is pleased to have worked with the Historical Rose Garden Restoration Committee on the renovation of this beautiful site. This restoration has been as historically correct as possible while recognizing and understanding the balance between history and today's accessibility and public needs issues.