COMMUNITY WORKPLAN

Conneaut Lake Heritage Communities Program

2010

Pennsylvania Route 6 Alliance CONNEAUT LAKE HERITAGE COMMUNITY WORKPLAN TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER/Subsection Page

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ii

BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW 1

BACKGROUND ACTIVITIES – DESCRIPTION 3 Conneaut Lake Heritage Communities Program 4

COMMUNITY INVENTORIES 4 Location Map 5 Demographics 6 Economics 9 Historic/Architecturally Significant Buildings/Sites/Themes 16 Cultural History 20 Historic and Industrial Heritage Context 26 Museums 33 Other Potential Conneaut Lake Park Heritage Resources 35 Inventory of Community Events/Activities 38 Water Related Resources 41 Inventory and Survey of Businesses 45 Business Survey 49 Physical and Non-Physical Conditions 57 Transportation System 58 Community Visual Conditions and Design Analysis 63

SYNTHESIS OF INFORMATION 76 Public Input 76 First Workshop – The Wish List 77 Second Workshop – Planning Charrette 78 Third Workshop – Draft Presentation and Comments 83 Issues and Opportunities Statement Overview 85

IMPLEMENTATION 88 Heritage Route 6 Economic Impacts 88 Tourism and Economics 89 Implementation Matrix 93 Summary of Recommendations 105 Interpretive Planning Statement 111 Marketing and Hospitality Planning Statement 114 Wayfinding Planning Statement 116 Heritage Resource Development/Community Needs Planning Statement 117 Select Funding Sources 118

i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This planning effort represents a relatively new approach to heritage planning being implemented by the Pennsylvania Route 6 Alliance. The concept was locally developed during early Route 6 heritage planning and refined with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) who insisted that the Heritage Communities Program be premised on the engagement of the community. In short, DCNR wanted this to be “grass roots” and not “top down” planning requiring the establishment of the Heritage Community Stakeholders Groups in each Heritage Community. This was envisioned to be a group of area residents who met throughout this process and even spearheaded several early action implementation actions. Members of the Conneaut Lake Stakeholders Group represented a cross-section of the community and met on numerous occasions between February 2009 and February 2010, and also helped during this period in conducting Community Workshops and a Planning Charrette. In addition, many other residents participated in various public forums such as during the focus group meetings during the Planning Charrette and at the various Community Workshops.

Major project funding for the Heritage Communities Program is provided through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation through the Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users, through the Heritage Areas Program under the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and a local contribution from Conneaut Lake.

Last but not least, a special thanks to the residents and business communities of Conneaut Lake who not only embraced this program and participated, but more importantly showed a genuine love for the community.

ii CONNEAUT LAKE HERITAGE COMMUNITIES PROGRAM Pennsylvania Route 6 Heritage Corridor COMMUNITY WORKPLAN

Background

A Community WorkPlan is a requirement of the Pennsylvania Route 6 Heritage Communities Program. It is intended to establish an action-oriented framework for local heritage and community planning and implementation in Heritage Communities along Route 6. While the document is important in itself the process to prepare it is probably more important. In this regard local engagement is not only important but is required.

The process involved the engagement and discussion with a local Stakeholders Group that was involved throughout the planning period. This document attempts to aggregate and synthesize the input and recommendations of this Group, also taking into account public input received at three Community Workshops, including a three-day planning charrette held in the summer of 2009.

The document and process also involves original and secondary research gathered by the Route 6 planning team. The WorkPlan is organized as follows:

BACKGROUND ACTIVITIES – DESCRIPTION ‰ Crawford County Heritage Communities Program ‰ Community Inventories - Themes and Sites, Heritage, Community Events, Businesses, Physical and Non-Physical Needs and Visual Conditions and design Analysis

SYNTHESIS OF INFORMATION ‰ Public Input review and summary ‰ Issues and Opportunities Statement Overview

IMPLEMENTATION - Planning Statements and Implementation Strategy

Overview

The Pennsylvania Route 6 Heritage Communities Program recognizes that the action-oriented framework requires attention to both physical and non-physical needs that address the Visitor’s Experience and the Community Context. Each has an impact on the other, and the latter frames and directly affects the former. Thus the Community WorkPlan must enhance Conneaut Lake as a destination and a stopover, within the context of the larger Route 6 experience, without negatively affecting the quality of life and community characteristics that make it a great place reside. In essence then, this entire process is an attempt to address tourism in a context-sensitive manner. In this regard, the WorkPlan recommends a number of enhancements:

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Visitor Experience Enhancement – “things to see and do”

‰ Improvements to Conneaut Lake Park and Hotel ‰ Local promotional effort – brochures, itineraries and web-based ‰ Development of a floating stage offering a movable entertainment venue as reflecting themes (i.e. lake and entertainment) that build on the area’s strength ‰ The “Double Lake Tour” concept as another unifying theme capitalizing on existing state and private resources ‰ Wayfinding Signage – at critical attractions and along the Double Lake Tour ‰ Curatorial and financial enhancements for the Conneaut Lake Area Historical Society Museum ‰ “Trail Town” enhancements ‰ Historic District designation consideration ‰ Coordination with local Museums and the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum ‰ Walking tours and tie-ins with regional system

The Community Context – addressing local needs

‰ Streetscape enhancements within the business district and immediate surrounding area ‰ Gateway Enhancements at strategic locations ‰ An interrelated downtown and residential area revitalization effort o Façade and Streetscape o Building and site reuse ‰ Revisions – Land use related regulations ‰ Consistent Litter Indexing efforts ‰ Traffic safety and calming enhancements especially in the downtown area

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BACKGROUND ACTIVITIES – DESCRIPTION

The Heritage Communities Program is an initiative of the Pennsylvania Route 6 Alliance, focused on strengthening the many vibrant communities along the Route 6 Corridor in Pennsylvania. The Program was developed by local stakeholders involved in the development of the Pennsylvania Route 6: Our Heritage and a Destination for the Future – Framework for Action during 2001-03. These stakeholders have developed the Pennsylvania Route 6 Heritage Communities Program that requires communities – their leaders, business community and residents – to buy into the heritage tourism concept and process. The program provides assistance to Route 6 communities in first identifying and localizing heritage tourism sites, resources and themes; then developing ways to enhance and refine these resources; and finally a way to sustain local heritage tourism. This assumes a very inclusive grass-roots process involving local residents, which will have an important side- benefit of making the community a better place in which to live as well as visit.

The key to the Program is to identify and capitalize on the unique qualities of select communities on the Corridor that reflect the themes of Route 6. These themes are as follows:

‰ Warrior’s Road honoring the epic stories of the warriors of many races, genders and times fought or lived along the Corridor; ‰ The many Natural Opportunities utilized and enjoyed by hunters, fishermen, oilmen, tanners and miners of the region, and the changes in the view of natural resources; ‰ The rough terrain required Engineer’s Challenge to be met by spectacular feats of civil engineering that made Northern Pennsylvania and its resources more accessible; ‰ The region has provided New Beginnings and Safe Havens for a diverse group including Connecticut Yankees, French Aristocrats and escaping slaves; ‰ Visionaries, Achievers and Social Entrepreneurs of the region whose ideas and achievements inspired and transformed the region and the country; and ‰ The region’s recognized position as an Outdoor Enthusiast’s Paradise offering active and passive recreational opportunities year-round.

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The Program is premised on providing technical assistance to the communities in interpreting and localizing these themes.

Conneaut Lake Heritage Communities Program

The unique qualities of the Pennsylvania US Route 6 Corridor are created and affected by the communities along its length. Descriptions of the Corridor often tout the unhurried, small-town ambiance that has not been traded for a “brand name drive-through identity”. The Route 6 Community identity is authentic and individual and is not contrived. Route 6 heritage planning recognizes that this “community identity” must be maintained and strengthened if heritage tourism is to prosper along the Corridor. A request on behalf of Conneaut Lake was a successful applicant to be the fourth round of the Pennsylvania Heritage Communities Program, following Smethport, Corry/Union City and Potter County (Coudersport, Galeton and Austin). A local visioning and participation process was carried out to establish the elements of a local heritage tourism effort meeting the orientation of the Pennsylvania Route 6 tourism effort while addressing local issues, themes and resources. This approach is identified in this planning document – referred to as a Community WorkPlan. As such, it is an action-oriented document that builds on past tourism planning, as well as regional and local efforts.

Community Inventories - Community and Area Overview

Conneaut Lake is a very unique community, encompassing the Borough of Conneaut Lake and the surrounding townships of Sadsbury and Summit, comprised of year-round and seasonal residents residing around the Lake. The relative location and approximate distances between the Conneaut Lake community and other nearby communities is below:

Community Mileage Meadville 9 miles Linesville 8 miles Erie 46 miles Pittsburgh 90 miles Warren 87 miles Cleveland 90 miles Sharon 31 miles Franklin 33 miles New Castle 57 miles Buffalo 138 miles Youngstown 53 miles

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S R Meadville Junction 3 ! 01 4 SUMMIT TOWNSHIP

Conneaut Lake Park !

P A 0 18

8 1 Conneaut Lake 6

Lynces Junction A ! P

X VERNON TOWNSHIP

SADSBURY TOWNSHIP 6

mp016 mp013 X X 6

P PA 285 A mp015 mp014 Conneaut Lake ! 2 X X 85 CONNEAUT LAKE BOROUGH

22 3 US

FIGURE - Conneaut Lake Borough 0 0.5 1 2 Rt 6 Corridor HCP Miles Demographics

The 2008 estimated populations for Combined Area (i.e. Conneaut Lake Borough and the Townships of Sadsbury and Summit) are identified on Table 1 in addition to the actual Census figures for 1990 and 2000. The Combined Area had an estimated 2008 population of 5,608, an increase of nearly 9% since 1990. However, during the 1990-2008 period the Borough sustained a 5.6% decline while Townships experienced net increases in population (10% +/-). If correct, the estimates suggest the increases sustained between 1990 and 2000 have reversed since 2000. The forthcoming 2010 Census will verify if in fact the estimates and declining recent trend are in fact accurate.

TABLE 1 DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE – 1990-2008 Conneaut Lake Heritage Communities Program Study Area

% 2008 % % Change Change Change Area 1990 2000 Population Population Population 1990- Estimate 2000- 1990- 2000 2008 2008 Crawford 88,169 90.366 +2.5% 88,411 -2.1% +0.3% County Conneaut 699 708 +1.3% 660 -6.8% -5.6% Lake Borough Sadsbury 2,575 2,941 +14.2% 2,844 -3.3% +10.4% Township Summit 1,890 2,172 +14.9% 2,104 -3.1% +11.3% Township Combined 5,164 5,821 +12.7% 5,608 -3.7% +8.6% Area Source: US Census Bureau

Population projections are available through 2030 on a county basis through the Pennsylvania State Data Center, using standard accepted methods. Table 2 summarizes some major data and trends from these projections for Crawford County. As is seen, the County population is expected to be rather stable in and around 90,000 people through 2030, at a time of a 7.4% increase statewide. During this 30-year period the County is expected to experience a continuation of the maturing of the population base, as reflected in the percent composition of those 65 years of age and older from roughly 16% to 27% of the population. At the same time, the percent composition of persons in the family- forming/sustaining cohort between the ages of 25 and 49 is expected to decline from 34% to 25%.

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TABLE 2 POPULATION PROJECTIONS: 2010 – 2030 Crawford County

Factor 2000* 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030

County 90,366 89,281 89,201 89,515 89,961 90,088 Population % NA -1.2% -0.1% +0.4% +0.5% +0.1% Change % Change NA +2.1% +1.2% +1.4% +1.4% +1.1% in PA Crawford County Population % 65+ 15.6% 16.8% 19.1% 22.0% 24.8% 26.6%

% 25-49 34.0% 28.3% 26.4% 25.4% 24.7% 24.8%

Source: Detailed Population Projections; PA State Data Center; 2008. * Actual Census figures; others are projections

Table 3 provides a closer look at population change and migration in the Study Area by comparing natural change (i.e. births and deaths) with population figures. Simply stated, the information suggests that some net in-migration has occurred in the Combined Area between 1990 and 2007, albeit in an irregular pattern, assuming the normally accurate US Census estimates are accurate.

• It appears that a net in-migration of 436 persons occurred among the three municipalities between 1990-2007, with the individual totals posted for each on Table 3. • Actual Census data suggests a hefty net in-migration of 593 persons between 1990-2000, particularly high in the Townships. • If the Census estimates prove to be accurate, a net out-migration occurred in the Townships during 2000-07, only partially offsetting the earlier increase.

The net in and out-migration is the difference between the actual population, or in the case of the year 2007 official population estimates, and the population that would be expected as a function of taking into account births and deaths.

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TABLE 3 NATURAL POPULATION CHANGE AND MIGRATION ESTIMATES: 1990-05 Conneaut Lake Heritage Communities Program

Description Source Number Conneaut Sadsbury Summit Lake Township Township Actual Population – US Census 699 2,575 1,890 April 1, 1990 Bureau Residents’ Deaths 4/90- PA Health Dept. 4/00 -127 -235 -136 Residents’ Births 4/90-4/00 PA Health Dept. +97 +241 +224 Natural Anticipated Inferred 669 2,581 1,978 Population April 1, 2000 Actual Population – US Census 708 2,941 2.172 April 1, 2000 Bureau Net Estimated Migration Inferred +39 +360 +194 (1990-2000) Residents’ Deaths 4/00- PA Health Dept. 7/07 -108 -185 -107 Residents’ Births 4/00-7/07 PA Health Dept. +62 +153 +147 Natural Anticipated Inferred 662 2,909 2,212 Population July 1, 2007 Estimated Population US Census 664 2,854 2,108 – July 1, 2007 Bureau Net Estimated Migration Inferred +2 -55 -104 (2000-07) Net Estimated Calculation +41 +305 +90 Migration 1990-2007 Source: U.S. Census Bureau and Pennsylvania Department of Health interpolated by The EADS Group.

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Economics

Employment and Number of Establishments

The economic base of the County has undergone change throughout the recent and distant history. Economists look at employment bases in several ways, including by place of residence (where employees reside) and by place of work (where people work regardless of where they live). The decennial Census is the place where information by place of residence is available on a municipal basis. Given the age of available Census data (i.e. 2000) this data is not meaningful at the time of this writing in early-2010. Given the fact that detailed 2010 Census data is not anticipated for awhile, this study uses more recent place of work data even though it is available only on the County basis. Overall, place of work data has been found to be a better barometer of local economic activity in Route 6 economic analyses anyway.

Before reviewing this data for Crawford County descriptive background information is reviewed. Table 4 reviews and compares information from two recent County Business Patterns reports. County Business Patterns is an annual series that provides sub-national economic data by industry. The series is useful for studying the economic activity of small areas; analyzing economic changes over time; and as a benchmark for statistical series, surveys, and databases between economic censuses. Businesses use the data for analyzing market potential, measuring the effectiveness of sales and advertising programs, setting sales quotas, and developing budgets. Government agencies use the data for administration and planning.

• County Business Patterns covers most of the country's economic activity. The series excludes data on self-employed individuals, employees of private households, railroad employees, agricultural production employees, and most government employees.

• The information is establishment based. An establishment is a single physical location at which business is conducted or services or industrial operations are performed. It is not necessarily identical with a company or enterprise, which may consist of one or more establishments. When two or more activities are carried on at a single location under a single ownership, all activities generally are grouped together as a single establishment. The entire establishment is classified on the basis of its major activity and all data are included in that classification. Table 5 identifies them as firms in the respective years compared.

• Paid employment consists of full- and part-time employees, including salaried officers and executives of corporations, who are on the payroll in the pay period including March 12. Included are employees on paid sick leave, holidays, and vacations; not included are proprietors and partners of unincorporated businesses.

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TABLE 4 Economic Profile and Change - Crawford County 1998-2007

1998 2007 % 1998 2007 % Economic Sector Employees Employees Change Firms Firms Change Forestry, fishing, hunting, and agriculture support 58 87 +50% 17 16 -6% Mining 147 133 -10% 11 13 +18% Utilities 117 108 -8% 6 4 -33% Construction 952 883 -7% 195 185 -5% Manufacturing 8760 7305 -17% 302 279 -8% Wholesale trade 568 570 +0.3% 82 85 +4% Retail trade 4042 3939 -3% 353 320 -9% Transportation & warehousing 413 628 +52% 41 57 +39% Information 359 250-499 NA 27 40 +48% Finance & insurance 565 554 -2% 101 104 +3% Real estate & rental & leasing 159 196 +23% 52 50 -4% Professional, scientific & technical services 579 659 +14% 120 127 +6% Management of companies & enterprises 101 20-99 NA 34+33% Admin, support, waste mgt, remediation services 950 934 -2% 58 60 +3% Educational services 1814 2027 +12% 14 23 +64% Health care and social assistance 4212 5165 +23% 225 274 +22% Arts, entertainment & recreation 238 249 +5% 36 37 +3% Accommodation & food services 2262 2452 +8% 202 203 0% Other services (except public administration) 1288 1305 +1% 251 269 +7% Unclassified establishments 20-99 0-19 NA 18 1 -94% Total 27645 27637 0% 2114 2151 +2% Source: US Census Bureau; County Business Patterns Note: Ranges in italics are all that are available for certain sectors, precluding determination of exact percentages.

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Data presented on Table 5 above suggests the following trends as reflected in employment and/or number of establishments:

• Employment in manufacturing is very important even though employments levels (-17%) and number of firms (-8%) have declined during the 1998- 2007 period. Another local anchor retailing has also sustained losses on both fronts (3% and 9% respectively).

• On the positive side, educational services as well as health care and social services have both sustained impressive increases in employment as well as the number of establishments involved. Taken together, these two sectors added 1,166 employees and 58 establishments in the period reviewed.

• The real estate/leasing and professional/technical sectors also sustained notable employment increases during this period.

• Two sectors classically associated with tourism (in addition to retail) are the arts/entertainment/recreation and accommodations/food services, which sustained slight increases in both employment and number of establishments during the 1998-2007 period.

Unfortunately, reliable information on a small municipal basis is only available via the US Census, reflects data by place of residence and more recent data is not anticipated until 2012.

Other relevant economic figures and trends are summarized below:

• Place of residence data shows that the total civilian labor force in Crawford County for December 2009 was 43,200, of which 38,700 were employed and 4,400 were unemployed. The unemployment rate was 10.2 percent at the time the statewide rate was 8.5%.

• The average weekly wage for Crawford County in 1st Quarter 2009 was $590, 68.5% the statewide weekly wage of $861. This would be equivalent to $14.75 per hour or $30,680 per year, assuming a 40-hour week worked the year around.

• Average weekly wages varied considerable among the County’s economic segments in 2008 (most recent figures available by segment) o Accommodation and Food Services - $219 o Health Care and Social Assistance - $658 o Manufacturing - $805 o Retailing - $446

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Market Segmentation

Econometrics is a field always showing sophistication and even localization. One approach in understanding economic markets is the Nielsen Claritas PRIZM segmentation system that brings together household and geographic level data. PRIZM attempts to capture demographic and lifestyle data to help companies target their customers. It also provides those not marketing a good or service with a “snapshot” view, perhaps oversimplified, of how small areas (i.e. Zip Code level) may be profiled. The PRIZM model contains 66 segments consistent at both the household and geodemographic levels. The 66-segment model resulted from standard demographic measures – Age, Income, Presence of Children, Marital Status, Homeownership and Urban/city. The most common PRIZM segments and larger social groups identified for Conneaut Lake (16316) are as follows:

‰ Young & Rustic (Lower-Middle income, Middle Age w/o Kids) - Young & Rustic is composed of middle age, restless singles. These folks tend to be lower-middle- income, high school-educated, and live in tiny apartments in the nation's exurban towns. With their service industry jobs and modest incomes, these folks still try to fashion fast-paced lifestyles centered on sports, cars, and dating. ‰ Back Country Folks (Downscale, Older Mostly w/o Kids) - Strewn among remote farm communities across the nation, Back Country Folks are a long way away from economic paradise. The residents tend to be poor, over 55 years old and living in older, modest-sized homes and manufactured housing. Typically, life in this segment is a throwback to an earlier era when farming dominated the American landscape. ‰ Golden Ponds (Downscale, Mature Mostly w/o Kids) - Golden Ponds is mostly a retirement lifestyle, dominated by downscale singles and couples over 65 years old. Found in small bucolic towns around the country, these high school-educated seniors live in small apartments on less than $35,000 a year; one in five resides in a nursing home. For these elderly residents, daily life is often a succession of sedentary activities such as reading, watching TV, playing bingo, and doing craft projects.

The above three of the segments are within the larger Rustic Living social group. These segments represent the nation's rural towns and villages, having relatively modest incomes, low education levels, aging houses and blue-collar occupations. Many of the residents, a mix of young singles and seniors, are unmarried. No doubt over- generalizing, PRIZM suggests that these consumers spend their leisure time in such traditional small-town activities such as fishing and hunting, attending social activities at the local church and veterans club, and enjoying country music and car racing.

‰ Simple Pleasures (Lower-Middle income, Mature Mostly w/o Kids) - -With more than two-thirds of its residents over 65 years old, Simple Pleasures is mostly a retirement lifestyle: a neighborhood of lower-middle-class singles and couples living in modestly

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priced homes. Many are high school-educated seniors who held blue-collar jobs before their retirement. And a disproportionate number served in the military, so many residents are members of veterans clubs.

This segment is within the Middle America social group, which is categorized as including lower-middle-class homeowners living in small towns and remote exurbs. Typically found in scenic settings throughout the nation's heartland, Middle Americans tend to be white, high school educated, living as couples or larger families, and ranging in age from under 25 to over 65. Like many residents of remote communities, these conservative consumers tend to prefer traditional rural pursuits: fishing, hunting, making crafts, antique collecting, watching television, and meeting at civic and veterans clubs for recreation and companionship.

‰ Traditional Times (Upper-Middle income, Older w/o Kids) - Traditional Times is the kind of lifestyle where small-town couples nearing retirement are beginning to enjoy their first empty-nest years. Typically in their fifties and sixties, these upper-middle- class Americans pursue a kind of granola-and-grits lifestyle. On their coffee tables are magazines with titles like Country Living and Country Home. But they're big travelers, especially in recreational vehicles and campers.

This segment is within the Country Comfort social group, which is filled with predominantly white, upper-middle-class homeowners. In their placid towns and scenic bedroom communities, these Americans tend to be married, mostly between the ages of 25 and 54, with or without children. They enjoy comfortable upscale lifestyles, exhibiting high indices for barbecuing, bar-hopping, and playing golf as well as home-based activities such as gardening, woodworking, and crafts. Reflecting their rural, family environment, they prefer trucks, SUVs, and minivans to cars.

Again, the above segments and social groups are an oversimplification for the sake of market understanding, but the demographic data taken into consideration by the Nielsen Claritas PRIZM system suggest the existence of moderate and upper income segments of the Conneaut Lake community.

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Tourism Spending Patterns

General spending and related economic impacts for tourism are included in a series of reports entitled The Economic Impact of Travel and Tourism in Pennsylvania (Global Insight), which tracts spending patterns at the County level. Between 203-06 visitor spending in Crawford County increased by 12.1%, from $131.3 million to $147.3 million, accounting for 2.8% of the County economy in 2006. The following summarizes visitor spending by category (dollars in Millions):

Category 2003 2006 % Change

Transportation $30.97 $37.25 +20.3% Food & Beverage $31.26 $35.23 +12.7% Lodging $15.71 $18.75 +19.4% Shopping $33.83 $31.16 - 7.9% Entertainment $12.96 $15.95 +23.0% Other $ 6.60 $ 9.23 +39.8% TOTAL $ 131.33 $ 147.27 +12.1%

The largest individual segments are transportation and food and beverage, each showing healthy increases. All segments with the exception of retail shopping showed double-digit increases during this period. The decline in shopping spending also was seen in the other Pennsylvania’s Great Lakes region during this period (i.e. Erie, Mercer and Venango).

Tourism Employment Impacts

The same report noted above reveals that in 2006, 2,179 people in Crawford County were directly employed in tourism-based businesses, approximately 5% above the figure for 2003. When adding those persons indirectly benefiting from tourism (i.e. suppliers of tourism businesses, impacts of buying power from those directly employed in tourism, and other secondary beneficiaries), a total of 3,330 persons are affected by tourism employment, representing nearly 10% of the County’s economy. Wages from those directly employed in tourism businesses amounted to $56.9 million in 2003, approximately 10% higher than the 2003 figure. Again, when considering those directly and indirectly benefitting from tourism, the 2006 figure is just over $100 million.

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Localized Information

The Pennsylvania Route 6 Tourism Infrastructure Plan (2008) helps localize the direct impacts alluded to above. In 2008 the following summarizes the tourism infrastructure in the Conneaut Lake area:

• There were 24 establishments categorized as offering accommodations and food services, including motels/inns, diners, restaurants, fast food and campgrounds; • There were 13 arts, recreation and entertainment establishments, including golf courses, marinas, galleries and of course the Park; and • There were 24 tourism-oriented retail/service establishments ranging from boat, RV and motor cycle dealers, gift stores, convenience stores, a winery and various retail stores.

Finally, the Pennsylvania Travel Profile presents an overview of overnight leisure travel for the Pennsylvania Great Lakes Region (2007), summarized as follows:

• Median Age: 39 • Median Household Income: $59,300 • Traveling Party: Family • Primary Purpose of Stay: Visiting family/friends • Average length of Stay: 3.4 days • Primary Accommodations: Paid hotel/motel • Top Activities: Dining, Shopping and Entertainment • Secondary Activities: National/State Parks, Sightseeing and Beach • Average Per Diem Expenditures: $79.20/person • Average Per Trip Expenditures: $769

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Historical and Architecturally Significant Buildings, Sites, and Themes

This subsection lists the heritage resources of the municipalities surrounding Conneaut Lake. This includes the borough of Conneaut Lake and portions of Sadsbury and Summit Townships within approximately one-half mile of the lake shore.

The National Register of Historic Places

The National Register of Historic Places was established by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 as the standard for preservation efforts (Section 101). It is the “hall of fame” of places that are important to the American people. To be eligible for listing on the National Register, a property must pass a rigorous review at the state and federal level. It is not easy to list a property on the National Register, so the properties that are listed are truly worthy of preservation.

The National Register recognizes several categories of resources including single objects, structures, or buildings and groups of resources within a site or district. Regardless of category, the resource must possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. The property must also be significant, as determined by these criteria:

‰ It must be associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history; or ‰ It must be associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or ‰ It must embody distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or o Represent the work of a master, or o Possess high artistic values, or o Represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction, or ‰ It must have yielded, or be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history (abstracted from 36 CFR Part 60.4).

In Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission maintains an inventory of historic properties. It includes not only those that have been listed on the National Register but also those that have been determined to be eligible for listing. It also lists resources that have been reported by professional and amateur archaeologists and historians that have not been fully evaluated regarding the National Register criteria but which appear to meet those criteria or are important to a local community.

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There are no resources in Conneaut Lake, Summit Township or Sadsbury Township that have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission (PHMC) records indicate that two (2) properties near Conneaut Lake that have been determined to be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. These are summarized in Table 5.

TABLE 5 Properties determined to be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places

Description Municipality Location Resource Category Conneaut Lake Park Sadsbury and Summit Conneaut Lake Road District, built 1892 Townships Liberty the Second Sadsbury and Summit 12382 Center Street Structure (speed Townships boat), built 1921 Source: PA Historic and Museum Commission, CR GIS; accessed May 15, 2009.

Conneaut Lake Park is located on the northwest shore of the lake; Liberty the Second is a vintage speedboat with a jet engine that is housed at the Conneaut Lake Historical Society Museum.

The PHMC lists other properties in their database that have historical value. They were recorded but have not yet been evaluated or are ineligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. Also included are bridges near Conneaut Lake that were submitted by PennDOT, several of which have been determined to be ineligible for listing on the National Register. These resources are summarized in Tables 6 and 7.

Summary

The recorded historical resources in Conneaut Lake Borough are concentrated in the area bounded by Water Street (Route 6) on the north, State Street (Route 322) on the west, Richmond Street on the south, and First Street on the east, as shown in Figure 1. There is another concentration along Aldina Drive, north of the borough. A comprehensive survey of the borough’s historical resources could support the nomination of a district to the National Register of Historic Places.

In Sadsbury and Summit townships, the known historical resources are located along the highways around the lake. North of Conneaut Lake Park, buildings have been documented along Routes 618, 18, and Gehrton and Gordon roads. South of the lake, resources are known along Routes 6, 618, and 285.

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TABLE 6 Known Historic Structures

Address Municipality Historic National Resource Date Name Register Category Built Status 490 Water St Undetermined Building 1860 Water St (SW corner with Undetermined Building 1901 2nd St) nd 435 N 2 St Undetermined Building 1876 rd NW corner of 3 St & Undetermined Building Garden Alley nd 475 N 2 St Undetermined Building 1876 NE corner of High & 2nd St Conneaut Undetermined Building 2nd St N of Garden Alley Lake Borough Undetermined Building (cabin) 1800 Water St Undetermined Building (concert hall) 390 High St (NE corner of Undetermined Building 1800 High & 4th St) 295 High St (SE corner of Wilson Undetermined Building 1886 High & 3rd St) Ralston House 715 Water St (SE corner of Undetermined Building 1800 Water & 6th St) 495 State St (corner of State Undetermined Building 1857 & Barbara St) Water St (W of 2nd St) Undetermined Building 1800 N 2nd St Dennis Undetermined Building 1885 House Water St (E of 2nd St) Ralston’s Undetermined Building (hall, c. 1910 Hardware theater) & 1927 245 5th St (N of State) Undetermined Building 1876 Water St Memorial Ineligible Site 1865 Park & Civil War Monument Route 6, east of lake Undetermined Building 1877 Route 285, west of Undetermined Structure Conneaut Lake Borough Sadsbury Route 6, east of lake Township Undetermined Building 1820 Routes 6 and 618 Undetermined Building Vernon Rd, south of lake Undetermined Building Route 285, west of lake Undetermined Building Route 6, east of lake Undetermined Building 1876 Bridge, SR 18 Ineligible Structure 1924 Route 618, west of lake Undetermined Building 1820 Bridge, SR 618 Summit Ineligible Structure 1927 Bridge, SR 18 Township Ineligible Structure 1984 Gehrton Rd, west of lake Undetermined Building 1860 Gordon Rd, north of lake Undetermined Building 1800 Gordon Rd, west of lake Undetermined Building 1800 Source: PA Historic and Museum Commission CRGIS; accessed May 15, 2009.

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TABLE 7 National Register Status Summary

Municipality Number of Category National Resources Register status Conneaut Lake 16 Buildings Undetermined Borough 1 Site Ineligible Sadsbury 7 Buildings Undetermined Township 1 Structure Undetermined Summit 4 Buildings Undetermined Township 3 Structures Ineligible TOTAL 32

Figure 1 Location of known historic resources in Conneaut Lake Borough. Source: PHMC CRGIS, accessed May 15, 2009

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Cultural History

The area we know today as Pennsylvania has been inhabited since the end of the last “Ice Age.” As the continental ice sheets retreated across northern Pennsylvania, the ancestors of today’s American Indians soon arrived on this tundra-like landscape across northern Pennsylvania.

After the last Ice Age, the people of North America adapted to the changing environment. As the climate warmed, new plants and animals flourished. Mastodons, mammoths and other large animals that could not adapt to the warming environment became extinct and were replaced by the types of animals we see today.

Hunting a deer required a very different strategy than hunting an elephant-sized mammoth. The cold weather spruce forests were replaced by nut-bearing deciduous trees. Low-lying wetlands teemed with frogs, turtles, snakes, and other edible animals and plants. Rivers supported freshwater clams, mussels, and fish. Seasonal migrations of geese and ducks provided yet another reliable food source. For the next 8,000 years, hunters and gatherers successfully exploited the landscape that we know today as Pennsylvania.

One benefit of the milder climate was a more dependable food supply of wild food. With more food, people began to live together in larger camps. They knew their environment intimately, and moved throughout the seasons to take advantage of available food resources. They could move to an upland forest camp in the fall to collect acorns and hickory nuts. In the spring, they might move down along the river to take advantage of the upstream migration of shad. Summer might find them near wetlands (frogs and turtles) or berry patches. In the course of the year, they might also spend time near their favorite stone outcrop gathering chert or other rocks to be made into stone tools.

About 1800 BC, the people in eastern North America discovered that they could take certain actions to encourage the growth of their favorite plants. Competitive species were removed (weeding) giving the preferred species a selective advantage. Eventually, seeds were collected and curated from growing season to growing season. Some seed-bearing grasses, such as amaranth or chenopodium (goosefoot) were probably encouraged in this way and became important food staples. This artificial selection also led to a more stable and predictable food supply, and with more food, populations grew. They had taken the first steps toward the development of agriculture, and would soon become a population dependent on the food they could grow rather than the food they could find.

As people became more dependent on the crops they grew, they became increasingly settled. The seasonal nomadic hunting and gathering ways gave way to planting and harvesting schedules. Surplus food supplies required

20 storage, and stored food needed to be protected from the bacteria, mold, and appetites of hungry animals and also from other groups of people. Family ties were important, but now several different family groups lived together in villages and towns. Social organization became more complex. With a plentiful and reliable food supply, it was no longer necessary for every person to engage in gathering food. With the new “free time,” specialists emerged to redistribute food and other resources within the community. Trading relationships were established with others hundreds, even thousands, of miles away.

New artifacts came into use. Finally, the atlatl was replaced by a new weapon, the bow and arrow. Arrows were tipped with small thin triangular chipped stone points. Fire-hardened clay containers become common. These pots were fragile, but they were waterproof and efficient cooking and storage vessels. They could also be decorated with motifs and themes that were not only practical but also culturally meaningful.

By the 1500s, many of the native people in Pennsylvania had been impacted by the arrival of European traders, settlers, and missionaries. In some areas, they met directly, in others, their material culture, ideas, and germs were passed along indirectly.

Many archaeological sites have also been recorded near Conneaut Lake, indicating that people have lived in this area for thousands of years. The significance of these resources, summarized in Table 8, has not been evaluated for inclusion on the National Register. A summary of the cultures represented by these sites is also provided in Table 8. The known historic and archaeological resources in and around Conneaut Lake represent a broad range of time periods extending back to the earliest occupation of North America, as indicated in Table 9.

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TABLE 8 Known Cultural Resources – Conneaut Lake Heritage Communities Program

Cultural Time Lifestyle Characteristic Artifacts # of Stage Period Recorded Occurrences* Paleo- 14,000 - Big game hunters; followed herds Fluted projectile points 2 Indian 8,000 BC of mammoths and other Ice Age Large projectile points and knives animals; nomadic; lived in small Used high quality stone materials bands of people Archaic 8000 – Hunters and gatherers; seasonally Short, broad projectile points 7 1800 BC nomadic; hunted deer, elk and post- Thick, narrow projectile points Ice Age mammals, birds, and fish; Baskets, fishing gear, grinding stones large camps of related and Used atlatl unrelated people Depended on nuts, seeds, berries in addition to hunting Transitional 1800 – Hunters, gatherers, and limited Variety of stemmed and notched projectile 1 1200 BC gardening; also used resources points from rivers (fish, shellfish) Carved stone bowls Used atlatl

Early/Middle 500 BC – Village farmers; stockaded villages Burial mounds 6 Woodland 1200 AD Clay pottery Late 800 AD – Village farmers; large stockaded Bow and arrow replaces atlatl 1 Woodland 1550 AD villages; complicated relationships Small thin projectile points or Late with other groups; in Pennsylvania, Clay pottery Prehistoric longhouses (Iroquois) and “petal” houses (Monongahela) are known Prehistoric UD Unknown Unknown 9

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TABLE 8 continued Known Cultural Resources – Conneaut Lake Heritage Communities Program

Cultural Time Lifestyle Characteristic Artifacts # of Stage Period Recorded Occurrences* Contact 1550 - 1700 Indians have initial contact with Glass trade beads 0 Europeans, either directly or Glass bottles indirectly (through other Indians); Metal tools and containers (iron, brass, begin to adopt some European copper) traits, such as log houses and guns European pottery (e.g. tin-glazed) 18th 1701-1800 Frontier farmers (European, European pottery (creamware, pearlware) 0 Century African, and Indian); small towns Chinese porcelain Local redware and stoneware Iron hardware Forged nails Early 19th 1801-1850 Farmers, millers, machinists; towns Creamware, pearlware, porcelain 8 Century established around waterpower; Local stoneware roads and canals Machine-cut nails Late 19th 1851-1900 Farmers, industrial workers, new Durable, mass-produced pottery (ironstone) 12 Century immigrants; industrial revolution; Machine made tools and goods steam power; railroads Ethnic traditions Early 20th 1901-1950 Specialists; farms and cities; Mass-produced goods 5 Century electricity; internal combustion Plastic engines; highways Wire nails Historical UD Unknown Unknown 7 TOTAL 58 *Includes multi-component archaeological sites. UD – Age Undetermined

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Limit of continental glacier

Source: The Pennsylvania Atlas

Recorded Sites

Many archaeological sites have also been recorded around Conneaut Lake, indicating that people have lived near this lake since the last Ice Age. The significance of these resources, summarized in Table9, has not been evaluated for inclusion on the National Register.

To date, 32 historic structures, buildings, and sites and 23 archaeological sites have been identified near Conneaut Lake. Many of the archaeological sites represent more than one prehistoric culture, that is, they are multi-component sites that were inhabited more than once since the last glaciation. Systematic surveys to locate cultural resources have been limited, so it is likely that there are more historical and archaeological resources that have not been reported.

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TABLE 9 Archaeological Sites - Conneaut Lake Heritage Communities Program

Site Location Site type Culture Period National Number Register (36CW) Status 28 North of lake Open Unidentified prehistoric Undetermined 29 Summit Township, north Open Unidentified Woodland Undetermined of lake 30 Wolf Island, west side of Open Unidentified prehistoric Undetermined lake (underwater) 31 Sadsbury Township, Open Unidentified prehistoric Undetermined south of lake 63 Sadsbury Township, Open Middle Archaic, Late Undetermined south of lake Archaic, Transitional, Early Woodland, Middle Woodland, Late Woodland 116 Sadsbury Township, Isolated find Late Archaic Undetermined west of lake 240 Sadsbury Township, Isolated find Unidentified prehistoric Undetermined west of lake 242 Summit Township, north Paleontological Hill Mastodon Undetermined of lake 245 Summit Township, north Isolated find Paleo Indian Undetermined of lake 283 Conneaut Lake Borough Isolated find Paleo Indian Undetermined 295 Sadsbury Township, Open Middle Archaic Undetermined eastern shore of lake 296 Sadsbury Township, Paleontological Undetermined eastern shore of lake 297 Sadsbury Township, Paleontological Undetermined west side of lake site (underwater) 320 Sadsbury Township, Open Early Woodland Undetermined west side of lake (underwater) 330 Sadsbury Township, Open Middle Woodland Undetermined eastern shore of lake 331 Sadsbury Township, Isolated find Middle Woodland Undetermined eastern shore of lake 349 Sadsbury Township, Paleontological Undetermined west side of lake (underwater) 374 Summit Township, north Open Middle Archaic Undetermined of lake 376 Summit Township, north Open Late Archaic Undetermined of lake 379 Sadsbury Township, Open Middle Woodland Undetermined west side of lake 475 Summit Township, north Open Unidentified prehistoric; Undetermined of lake historic 476 Summit Township, north Open Unidentified prehistoric Undetermined of lake 477 Summit Township, north Open Unidentified prehistoric Undetermined of lake Source: PA Historic and Museum Commission CRGIS; accessed May 15, 2009. 25

Historic and Industrial Heritage Context

The Native Americans, particularly the Seneca of the Iroquois “Five Nations,” were frequent visitors to the lake, and are responsible for naming it. Delaware and Seneca Indians called the lake Conneaut, or “Snow Place,” because the surrounding forests were so dense and that the snow remained after it had melted elsewhere. The lake’s spring-fed waters attracted abundant wildlife, and in turn, prehistoric Indian hunters. Their favorite camping site was the hill next to the winery overlooking the lake’s outlet, the area’s best fishing spot.

The outlet also lured the first white settler, Abner Evans, who used its water to power his grist mill in the late-18th century. A village called Evansburg, now Conneaut Lake, grew up around Evans’ mill and log cabin. About a century later, the name was changed to Conneaut Lake. Many of the earliest settlers moved here from northeastern Pennsylvania where they had been forced off their land when Connecticut laid claim to that region. The coming of the Erie Extension Canal, operated from 1843 to 1870, gave the village access to the outside world.

In the middle of the 19th century, the canal building fever that had spread across Pennsylvania arrived at the Lake. Canal builders saw the lake as a reservoir for maintaining the water level in the French Creek Feeder Canal and the Beaver- Lake Erie Canal. The lake’s level was raised by construction of a dam at the lake’s southern end. Canal boats reached nearby Meadville as early as 1823. The old canal ran along the winery’s entrance driveway and is still intact just southeast of the building. But it was the advent of the railroad in the late 19th century that brought prosperity to the area. The Meadville & Linesville Railroad, later the Bessemer, occupied the towpath of the abandoned canal. The railroad was a boom to the lumber industry, especially to the Stratton & Company sawmill, which stood on the winery’s property.

In the late 19th century, ice harvesting became an important industry. At its height, it employed 200 men during the winter and 100 in the summer. More than 100,000 tons of ice were sent to Pittsburgh and other locations each year. The ice harvesting industry was another beneficiary. Demand for the lake’s crystal-clear ice was so great that the Conneaut Lake Ice Company built enormous sheds to store the 100 ton harvest. From these buildings, on the lake shore north of the winery, trainloads of premium ice were shipped to urban markets. Table 10 lists some important events in Conneaut Lake history.

26

The lake became a well-known recreational area by the mid-19th century. The Conneaut Lake Exposition Park, now Conneaut Lake Park, was established in 1892 and Conneaut Lake became one of Pennsylvania’s leading resorts. Private cottages and hotels sprang up along its shores. Conneaut Lake Park opened, and continued to add attractions and rides into the 20th century. Its large auditoriums and dance halls provided opportunities for a variety of cultural activities. The Park became an important economic driver for the communities around the Lake.

The Lake itself also provided recreational opportunity. Boating was very popular, and a regatta of sailboats, steamers, sternwheelers, and catboats populated the waters during the warm weather. The Liberty II, powered by a World War I vintage aircraft engine, sank in the lake in 1922. It was recovered in 1985 and has been restored.

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TABLE 10 Conneaut Lake Chronology Conneaut Lake Heritage Communities Program

Date Event 1796 Village of Evansburg, now Conneaut Lake, established. 1815 By this date, a log meeting house had been constructed for the benefit of the congregation; it also served as school. 1825 Canal surveys begin. 1843 The Erie Extension Canal opens. 1849 Many fish in the lake are struck by a disease or parasite and die. 1858 Borough of Evansburg is incorporated. 1870 The Erie Extension Canal closes; abandoned by 1872. 1877 Aaron Lynch opens a boat and livery service on the west shore; he makes other improvements. Hotel Conneaut is now on the site. 1880 Conneaut Lake Ice Company is formed; it is replaced by the Oakland Beach Hotel. “Pike perch” fry are introduced to the lake to improve sport fishing. 1892 Evansburg is renamed Conneaut Lake. The Conneaut Lake Exposition Company is formed to facilitate railroad travel to the lake. A 145-acre park established with rides, amusements, and restaurants, as well as swimming. Several hotels were constructed. 1894-95 Conneaut Ice Company succeeds Conneaut Lake Ice Company. 1895 Midway Hotel opens. 1900s Harness racing becomes popular. 1903 Hotel Conneaut opens; partially destroyed by fire in 1943. 1908 A disastrous fire destroys most of Exposition Park. 1909 Dreamland Ballroom opens. 1910 Carousel opens. 1916 Fire destroys the Oakland Hotel. 1918 The Pennsylvania is one of many steamers to operate on the Lake through the 1930s. 1922 The Conneaut Lake Real Estate and Development Company is formed to promote construction of cottages and other development along the lake. The Liberty II sinks. 1925 The Temple of Music opens; it was destroyed by fire in 1946. 1931 Boxer Max Schmeling trains at the park prior to a fight in Cleveland. 1934 Perry Como makes debut about this time. 1934 The wooden roller coaster the Blue Streak opens. 1960 Fairyland Forest opens. 1965 Borough railroad station is razed. 1968 “Hippies” establish a commune at nearby Harmonsburg; by winter, drug use and an outbreak of hepatitis broke up the group. 1985 The Liberty II is salvaged from the bottom of the lake. Camperland replaces Fairyland Forest. 1997 Conneaut Lake Park is sold as part of bankruptcy proceedings and is reorganized as a public trust. 2007 Park closed, except for the Beach Club. 2009 Park reopens under direction of the Trustees of Conneaut Lake Park.

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Sources Consulted

Faris, John T. 1919. Seeing Pennsylvania. Philadelphia & London: J. B. Lippincott Co. Dept. of Health, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 1915. Report on the sanitary survey of the Allegheny River Basin. Harrisburg, PA: Wm. Stanley Ray, State Printer. Annual report of the War Department, Report of the Chief of Engineers, Part 3. 1899. Washington: Government Printing Office. McKnight, William James. 1905. Pioneer Outline History of Northwestern Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott. Samuelson, Dale, AJP Samuelson and Wendy Yegoiants. 2001. The American Amusement Park. St. Paul, MN: MBI Publishing Co. Gordon, Thomas Francis. 1832. A gazetteer of the State of Pennsylvania . . . T. Belknap. Mead, Spencer P. 1907. Genealogical index to the Genealogy of the Mead family, published in 1901. Knickerbocker Press. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society at its forty-first annual meeting, October 1911 at St. Louis, Mo. 1912. Washington. An Allegheny Ice Company. Ice and Refrigeration Vol. XI, No. 6 (December 1896: 371-377). The Adams Sentinel (Gettysburg, PA), July 9, 1849

Historic Markers

The iconic blue and yellow PHMC Historic Markers identify important historic sites, events, and resources and are readily recognizable by heritage tourists, residents and the casual traveler. Table 11 summarizes the PHMC markers found to be especially critical for the Study Area.

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TABLE 11 Historic Markers – Conneaut Lake Vicinity, Crawford County

Name Location Category Text

Byron D. One of the founders of the Tidewater Pipe Company. Their Benson pipeline used a larger pipe and pumped oil a greater distance and higher elevation than ever before, revolutionizing the transportation of crude oil. (This marker was approved in 2009.) John William Legendary college football coach, the coveted Heisman Trophy Heisman was named for him. He revolutionized the sport with the center snap, the hidden-ball play, the Heisman shift, and promotion of legalization of the forward pass, as well as numerous safety improvements. (This marker was approved in 2009.) Allegheny N. Main St. (Pa. 86) at Education Oldest college in continuous existence under the same name College Sherman St., Meadville west of the Allegheny Mountains. Founded 1815. Chartered 1817. The college's first president, Timothy Alden, was architect of Bentley Hall, which became the center of administration. Conneaut U.S. 6 & 322 E of Canals, Navigation, Raised some 10 feet by a 23-mile "feeder" from Meadville, this Reservoir Conneaut Lake Transportation lake was the vital source of water for the highest part of the canal, 4 miles west. Lake water and traffic flowed north to Erie, south to the Ohio River. Crawford County Courthouse, 903 Business & Industry, Early Formed March 12, 1800 from Allegheny County. Meadville, in County Diamond Park, Meadville Settlement, Government & 1788, was the first permanent settlement in northwest Politics, Government & Politics Pennsylvania. In 1842 the nation's first direct primary was held 19th Century, Oil here. Cradle of the oil and zipper industries. Named for Col. William Crawford. Erie U.S. 322 E of Hartstown Canals, Navigation, Cut off from the rest of Pymatuning Swamp by a 3-mile bank, Extension Transportation this became the 600-acre "Pymatuning Reservoir" of the canal, Canal which lay at its western edge. Begun by the State, 1838; finished by the Erie Canal Co., 1843-44. Erie Pa. 618 S of Conneaut Canals, Navigation, By this channel Conneaut Lake, raised 9 feet above normal Extension Lake Park Transportation level, fed water to the canal at its highest point, the junction of Canal the Shenango and Conneaut Lines, about 2 miles west from here. The canal was in use 1844 to 1871.

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TABLE 11 Historic Markers – Conneaut Lake Vicinity, Crawford County Name Location Category Text

Erie U.S. 6 & 322 E of Canals, Navigation, Begun by the State, 1836, as part of a system of internal Extension Conneaut Lake (Missing) Transportation improvements. Completed 1843-44 by a private company. In Canal use until 1871. Extended 105 miles from New Castle to Erie; French Creek Feeder joined it with Meadville. Erie Pa. 18 N of Conneautville Canals, Navigation, Part of the old channel lies near the highway. The Conneaut Extension Transportation Line, from Erie to near Conneaut Lake, was begun by the Canal State, 1838, and completed by the Erie Canal Company, 1843- 44. Canal in use until 1871. Erie U.S. 6 W of Shermansville Canals, Navigation, Remains of the canal bed may be seen beside the railroad, Extension Transportation below the bridge. Less than 2 miles away this Shenango Line, Canal from New Castle, united with the Conneaut Line, from Erie. The entire canal was in use 1844-1871. Erie Pa. 18 S of Adamsville Canals, Navigation, Canal bed visible at foot of the slope, toward the railroad. Extension (Missing) Transportation Extended from Beaver Division Canal, at New Castle, to Erie; Canal this part of the Shenango Line, north to Conneaut Lake, was completed in 1842, and in use until 1871. French Creek U.S. 19 SW of Meadville Canals, Navigation, The canal visible beyond the field was built 1827-1834. Feeder Transportation Repaired in 1841, it carried water from French Creek to Conneaut Lake, reservoir for the Erie Extension canal, which operated between Erie and New Castle , 1844-71. French Creek U.S. 322 S of Meadville Canals, Navigation, The canal bed beside the road is part of a channel constructed Feeder Transportation 1827-1834 to take water from Meadville to Conneaut Lake for the Erie Extension Canal. Two miles below here the Feeder crossed the creek by aqueduct. Meadville U.S. 6 & 19 N of Meadville Cities & Towns, Early Settlement, Founded in 1788 by David Mead and other settlers from the (Missing); U.S. 322 S of Government & Politics, Wyoming region. In 1800 made county seat. First direct primary Meadville (Missing); U.S. 6 Government & Politics 18th in U.S. held here in 1842. Making of hookless fasteners was & 322 W of Meadville Century, Invention pioneered here. (Missing)

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TABLE 11 Historic Markers – Conneaut Lake Vicinity, Crawford County

Name Location Category Text

Reynolds Baldwin & Reynolds Ave., Government & Politics, Two blocks west is the home built in 1843 by Justice Henry House Meadville Government & Politics 19th Baldwin, who was appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court in Century, Houses & Homesteads 1830. As a member of Congress from 1816 to 1822, he was an early advocate of protective tariff. The house is now maintained as a museum by the Crawford County Historical Society. Richard Liberty & Arch Sts., next to African American, Professions & Born a slave in Maryland in 1801, he escaped as a boy and Henderson Bethel AME Church, Vocations, Underground Railroad about 1824 came to Meadville. A barber, he was long active in Meadville the Underground Railroad. His Arch Street house, since torn down, is estimated to have harbored some 500 runaway slaves prior to the Civil War. Unitarian Main & Chestnut Sts., Religion A fine example of Greek Revival architecture. It was erected in Church Meadville (missing) 1835-36 at a cost of $3500, mostly given by Shippen and Huidekoper families. Planned by the builder of Fort Sumter, General George W. Cullum.

Source: PHMC website (phmc.state.pa.us); accessed May 27, 2009

Tables numbered to here 4/5/10

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Museums

There are three museums in the immediate area, as summarized below:

Conneaut Lake Area Historical Society Museum

The Conneaut Lake Area Historical Society Museum is located at 150 North Third St in the Borough of Conneaut Lake, in the former community hall and includes hundreds of exhibits in the main room as well as a lobby with exhibits featuring the area’s ice house industry, agricultural industry and Conneaut Lake and the Park.

The Liberty the Second, a speed boat which sank in Conneaut Lake in the 1920s, was recovered more than 60 years later and subsequently restored is stored in the garage portion of the structure. The boat has an airplane engine – one of only a few in the country, with the other known at Wright Air Force Base (Dayton, Ohio) and another in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington. Both of these reportedly are static displays but the engine on Liberty the Second is operable.

Inside the main lobby are exhibits featuring aspects of the area’s unique history, including a 1940s kitchen, the Feeder Canal, schools, sports, boats, Conneaut Lake Park, military photographs, fire department memorabilia as well as scouting and other special exhibits – such as a hotel exhibit showing how many hotels that were once located in the area. Also featured are pictures of famous celebrities who either visited, worked or lived in the area and went on to fame and fortune. They include such people as Perry Como, Doris Day, world heavyweight champions Max Schmeling and Max Baer as well as visitors Mark Twain, President William McKinley, James Garfield and more recently Gov. Tom Ridge.

A research center is located in the office, which includes microfilm and printer of the Conneaut Lake Breeze from the 1920s to which the weekly newspaper closed in the 1980s. The center also has notebooks containing various paper items, including deeds, newspaper clippings and photographs of a wide range of topics including cemeteries, boats, schools, churches, Conneaut Lake Park, Fairyland Forest, townships and borough business, local businesses, organization activities and sports. Also are included some personal family histories as well as personality profiles of many local citizens and city directories and other types of books which can be used to trace history of the area or for genealogy purposes.

33 The area’s rich history is told in panels on a mural on an exterior wall of the building. It depicts heritage from the days of the Native Americans to today. Painted by member Nancy Helmreich, the mural has deep rich colors and is a beautiful tribute to our town and our ancestors. Museum hours are 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. However, special appointments may be made by visitors calling ahead. Admission to the museum is free of charge but donations are accepted.

Crawford County Historical Society

The Crawford County Historical Society located in Meadville at 411 Chestnut Street in the Helene Barco-Duratz Cultural Center. The society was founded in 1880 with the purpose is to collect, preserve and interpret the history of Crawford County. The Society reports that its archives contains one of the oldest and most comprehensive repositories for genealogical resources in northwestern Pennsylvania, an extensive library of regional and state history and local authors, a large manuscript and photo collection and a massive collection of records of the Erie Railroad. In the latter case, the Society has a blueprints, maps, locomotive cards, passenger car cards, freight car cards, accident reports and a wealth of other information about the Erie and Erie-Lackawanna Railroads.

The French Creek Valley Railroad Historical Society (FCV) was incorporated in 1996, but became inactive shortly thereafter. In 2004, it was reactivated by members of the Railroad Committee of the Crawford County Historical Society, who make up the core group of FCV members. The FCV has been working on several areas connected with the railroad collection including organizing the collection, locating, organizing and creating a museum and creating a scale model display of the Meadville yards.

The Crawford County Historical Society museum is open Monday-Friday 1:00 – 5:00 and Saturday 9:00 – 3:00.

Baldwin-Reynolds House Museum

The Baldwin-Reynolds House Museum is located at 639 Terrace Street, Meadville. This striking house with a commanding view was built by Henry Baldwin in the 1840’s, member of the House of Representatives and Supreme Court Justice in the early 19th Century, where he resided. Later it became the home of the locally prominent Reynolds family through the 1960’s. The Crawford County Historical Society purchased the property and has kept it as a house museum, getting much of the Baldwin and Reynolds family furnishings back as well as displaying items from the people of Crawford County. Museum hours vary but are generally Wednesday through Sunday 12:00 - 4:00 (Mid-May June, July, and August).

34 Other Potential Conneaut Lake Park Heritage Resources

There are a number of other potential heritage resources within the Park related to and/or reinforcing tourism.

Hotels

Conneaut Lake Park at one time sustained many hotels, inns and cottages. Unfortunately most are gone and only the Hotel Conneaut continues its role in providing accommodations. Table 12 on the following page provides basic information on each of the inns, hotels and cottages, including name(s), years in operation, location and general comments such as renaming, destruction, etc. As is seen, the turn of the last century appears to have been the heyday of accommodations construction. Obviously, a fire in 1908 was particularly devastating to at least four of the structures.

Dark Rides

Conneaut Lake Park has a long history of “dark attractions” dating back to “Exposition Park era” at the turn of the 20th century. These included:

‰ One of its first dark illusion rides was the Haunted Swing, a simple but convincing ride that caused it riders to slowly swing back and forth until the swing rotated them upside down through a 360-degree arc, or so it seemed. In reality, the room and its nailed down furniture rotated around the actually stationary "riders". ‰ The Old Mill ride was built in 1905 and stayed at the park for over 30 years, when it was rebuilt into the park’s first Pretzel (Laff-In-The-Dark) ride in the 40’s, which in turn operated until about 1960. th ‰ The turn of the 20 Century also ushered in a long line of fun houses, such as The Giggle House, Castle of Fun and the latter transformed into the Crazy Maze from the 50’s until the 60’s. ‰ The park’s last true fun house began in 1909 as the second bowling alley, replacing the building that burned the previous year. In 1961 the building became a dark walk through style fun house featuring a slanted room, mirror maze, slide, moving floorboards, pop up stunts and other traditional gags. The Park also had a Kiddieland Fun House. ‰ In 1973 an electric Pretzel returned to the park, known as both the Pit of Death and Dracula’s Cave, operating during until 1985. ‰ The dark ride with a particularly long run was the Devil’s Den/Dr. Moriarity’s Wild Ride, built in 1968 and operating through the 1990’s. Source: www.laffinthedark.com/articles/conneaut

Nostalgia is always important in tourism planning where people can “go back” and experience their “youth” and given the popular interest in “retro” things in general.

35 TABLE 12 Conneaut Lake Park Hotels, Inns and Cottages Summary

Name Years in Location Comments Operation Aldine Cottage c1903-1959 NE Corner Reed & Dismantled 1959, along with Gladstone & Center Victoria * Antler Hotel 1928-1930 NW corner Park & Formerly Park Hotel; bldg. vacant 1931-32; Comstock destroyed by fire 1932; see also Park Hotel Bismarck c1900-1908 Park, N side between Destroyed in 1908 fire; poss. rebuilt Hotel Lake St. & Center * Park, N side between Destroyed in 1908 fire; relocated to SE corner Colonial Hotel c1900-1908 st Lake St. & Center * Park & Comstock with restaurant 1 floor * Echo Hotel 1893-? N end of park grounds Formerly McClure House near original RR station Elephant c1899-1931 NW corner Reed & Renamed Elephant Apartments 1920s Cottage Center Exposition 1893-1902 Lake front, S of Lake Exposition Park Hotel: dismantled or St. extensively enlarged to become Hotel Hotel Conneaut * Garden House c1910-c1938 Reed, N side W of SR 618 German Hotel c1900-1908 NA Listed in 1910 pamphlet having 100 rooms Gladstone c1903-1959 Reed, N side between Dismantled 1959 Hotel Center & Lake St. Hotel 1903- Lake front, S. of Lake Replaced Exposition Hotel: extensive St. renovations 1928, 1934-35, 1959, 1982- Conneaut present present; partially destroyed by fire 1943 Hotel c1920- NE corner Reed & Lake Formerly Hotel Reany (c1916-c1920) Elmwood St. dismantled 1967 see also Hotel Reany Hotel Reany c1916-c1920 NE Corner Reed & Renamed Hotel Elmwood c1920: see also Lake Sr. Hotel Elmwood Hotel Virginia 1906- SW corner Brown & Opened 1906 as Hotel Conneaut Annex * Center Lakeside Inn 1907-1960s NW corner Lake St. & Formerly Mantor House before 3rd added floor; Kepler called Lakeside Hotel, 1920s; structure still standing, presently dormitory for summer employees; see also Mantor House Mantor House c1897-1906 NW corner Lake St. & 3rd floor added and renamed Lakeside Inn, Kepler 1907; see also Lakeside Inn Park Hotel 1910-1927 NW corner Park & Renamed Antler Hotel, 1928; see also Antler Comstock Hotel Park House c1900-1908 Park Ave., N side Destroyed in 1908 fire between Lake St. & Center * Puritan Hotel c1900-1908 Park, N side between Destroyed in 1908 fire Lake St. & Center * Victoria 1900-1959 Reed, N side between Sometimes listed as Victoria Inn and Victoria Cottage Lake St. & Center Hotel; dismantled in 1959 * Signifies estimates of possible dates and outcomes.

36 Paranormal

Perhaps reinforcing the “dark rides” element noted above, Hotel Conneaut has a certain folklore association with the paranormal or unexplained. In everyday terms, there are stories of being “haunted”. During local meetings and field work, the matter was discussed and dismissed by a fair number of local residents, some obviously at least a little embarrassed. However, not only do stories get lives of their own but attention is drawn to them from other sources. For example, the Paranormal State television series feature Hotel Conneaut in one of its episodes during season four where it explored local legends. The show sponsor (Paranormal Research Society) also scheduled a “field trip” for paranormal aficionados that it billed as an opportunity to “…return to Hotel Conneaut with a troop of Field Trippers to help uncover additional secrets”.

37 Inventory of Community Events/Activities

Comprehensive inventories of events are not readily available for all activities in the community, although the following information was taken from input at Community Workshops and local websites. Some signature events are summarized below:

Event Location Timeframe

Ice Fishing - informal On Lake Jan – Feb Snow Ball Pageant/Festival/Activities CLHS/other February Marina Open House CL Marina April “Taste of Conneaut Lake” Festival Museum May Barbara J Sternwheeler Tours Silver Shores May-August DooWop Festival/Related CLP/other Memorial Weekend Berry Jam N Jazz Various local June Conneaut Lake Classic Boat Show Ice House Park June July 4th Fireworks lakeside July Art Fair on the Boardwalk CLP August Pgh. Area Jitterbug Club's Beach Bash CLP August Harvest Picnic Winery September Fall Pumpkinfest CLP October Lights Around the Lake CLP Nov - Dec

Based on the dates of the above events, the early third and last quarter of the year appears to have fewer activities and events. Program consideration of events associated with the winter sports theme and spring events seems to be logical.

A synthesis of the group dynamics yields the following identification of attractions, activities and events held by the general public, as reflected in discussion at public meetings, workshops and feedback by the local stakeholders.

38 Conneaut Lake – Stakeholder comments

Key Stories – “things that everyone should know about Conneaut Lake” • “Snow Waters” (meaning of Conneaut Lake) • Fishing, hunting (the one that got away; my first . . .; the biggest muskie/white bass. . .) • Music Heritage Do-Wops, Big Bands (i.e. Doris Day, Perry Como, etc.) • Topography, geology (the ice came . . . and left us a lake, kames, eskers, drumlins) • Ice industry • Sports (Max Schmeling; local teams and tourneys) • Water – the lake is “it” • Settlement (mills, colonial wars, Indians, Donation & Depreciation Lands, Holland Land Co.) • Evansburg (original name and settlement) • Industry (lumber, quarrying) • Agriculture • Conneaut Lake Park • Railroads, inter-urban lines • Resort area

Key Activities • Water skiing (no horsepower limit) • Swimming • Water sports • Boating • Conneaut Lake Park (historic park, Tumble Bug, coaster, etc.) • Fishing/ice fishing • Hunting • Sightseeing (architecture, landscape, fall leaves, spring blooms) • Family vacations • Bird/wildlife watching • Ghost hunting (i.e. “haunted” park and hotel) • Classic boats • Shopping • Eating & drinking (restaurants, wineries, etc.) • Hiking/Walking/Bicycling • Farmers’ market, farm tours • Golfing

39 Local Comment Summary

Numerous attractions, businesses and attractions were noted during the research and planning process, many of which were noted in the above tables. Overall, the following summarizes the central themes associated with these resources.

TYPE DESCRIPTION

Outdoors The community is uniquely positioned to take advantage of Conneaut Lake and close enough to Pymatuning State Park to be a Pennsylvania’s Great Lakes Region destination. This includes everything from day users to campers to summer residents. The potential for trails expands the outdoors base as the community becomes a “trail town”. Commercial There is a wide assortment of specialty and convenience commercial establishments in the region, although many are outside the corporate limits of the Borough. Museums The Conneaut Lake Area Historical Society Museum is a major resource in interpreting the industrial, recreational and seasonal heritage of the area. It is operated on a part-time basis by volunteers who do the best possible job with limited funding and spare time. State Parks and Related Pymatuning State Park is nearby and Maurice K. Goddard State Park and the Erie National Wildlife Refuge. These are intrinsic resources for visitors and residents noted by residents and stakeholders alike, and in essence help define the County and region’s quality of life and nature heritage. Recreation/Amusement Conneaut Lake has the distinct reputation as a recreational mecca with the long heritage of Conneaut Lake Park and the recreational use of the Lake. Literally, generations have been relaxing, unwinding and even “partying” in Conneaut Lake. Community Calendar Publicized events and activities have a varied orientation, most essentially having a regional draw and a “lake or park orientation”. While some may be common activities (i.e. a winter festival, July 4th, etc.) many have a unique “Conneaut flair” (i.e. Marina Open House, Classic Boat Show, Beach Bash, etc.). Attractions Regional resources such as Conneaut Lake Park, the Lake, the State Parks, Meadville attractions, Erie attractions as well as strategic location in relation to Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Erie and several Interstate Highways are noted. . Seasonal Activities Ice fishing was the major winter sports mentioned.

40 Water Related Resources

Conneaut Lake is within the Pennsylvania Great Lakes Region as identified by the PA Department of Community and Economic Development (www.visitpa.com). In addition to Lake Erie, the general area in and around Conneaut Lake reflects this branding.

Conneaut Lake

The unique feature of the community is of course Conneaut Lake (950+ acres), reportedly the largest natural lake within Pennsylvania. Conneaut Lake was formed as a kettle lake at the end of the Pleistocene Epoch of pre-history. A large block of ice likely broke off the receding ice front and was surrounded by accumulating sediment. After the ice melted, the resulting depression was filled with water forming the lake. Water flows into Conneaut Lake through Inlet Run, a small stream on the north end of the lake. Water exits through the Conneaut Outlet, a larger creek which flows to the south through the Conneaut Marsh. The Conneaut outlet flows into French Creek, making it part of the Mississippi River drainage.

Before the early 1800s, Conneaut Lake was conspicuously absent from maps of the region, while much smaller nearby lakes were shown. The first recorded account of the lake was on May 5, 1791. The advent of rail travel made it a popular place for recreation and the development of present-day Conneaut Lake Park reinforced this role. The lake is notable as a site of early motorboat racing. The deep, cold waters of the lake allow it to stay frozen relatively late into the spring. This made Conneaut Lake a vital source of ice, prior to mechanical refrigeration. During the summer season, it is heavily populated with people vacationing to the lake area, as well as local residents. The scenic, natural lake still draws many locals, seasonal residents and visitors and its lack of power restrictions continues to draw powerboats.

Pymatuning State Park

Pymatuning State Park is a large facility located in extreme western Crawford County near Linesville. It consists of 21,122 acres, and is the largest state park in the Commonwealth. The 17,088-acre Pymatuning Reservoir is the largest lake in the Commonwealth. In its three campgrounds, Pymatuning has the most campsites in the state park system. More people visit Pymatuning than almost any other Pennsylvania state park. It offers boating, fishing, swimming, camping and enjoying other recreational opportunities. In addition to the state park facilities, the Pa. Fish and Boat Commission operates a fish hatchery and visitor

41 center, and the Pa. Game Commission has wildlife viewing areas, and learning center. Facilities include:

‰ Boating: 20 hp motors are permitted; Three Pennsylvania boat marinas have boat mooring and rent pontoon boats, motorboats, rowboats, canoes and motors, and have a store that has bait, tackle and snacks; Marinas include the Jamestown Watercraft Concession – A 203-slip located in the south end of the park two miles west of Jamestown, PA,; the Espyville Marina Concession - A 184- slip marina is located on the northeast side of the 2.5-mile causeway, which bridges the state of Pennsylvania with Ohio accessible from PA 285; and the Linesville Marina Concession - A 170-slip marina is located two miles west of Linesville off of West Erie Street Extension, it is complimented by other state park facilities including a beach, campground, and cabin area.

‰ Picnicking: Picnic tables are available in many areas throughout the Park. There are eleven (11) picnic pavilions that may be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a fee and unreserved picnic pavilions are free on a first-come, first-served basis.

‰ Spillway Concession: Where the "ducks walk on the fishes backs." 300,000 visitors come each year to feed the fish and view the wildlife in this area. Located two miles south of Lineville on the Hartstown Road, concession has refreshments, souvenirs, and fish food for sale.

‰ Fishing: The Pymatuning Reservoir is a warm-water fishery and common species are walleye, muskellunge, carp, crappie, perch, bluegill, and largemouth and smallmouth bass. Ice fishing during the winter months is also popular.

‰ Swimming: Four public beaches, Linesville, Tuttle, Jamestown One and Two, and the beach for campers in Jamestown Campground are open the weekend before Memorial Day through Labor Day, weather and conditions permitting.

‰ Hunting and Firearms: About 10,300 acres are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, turkey, rabbit, squirrel and waterfowl.

‰ Hiking: There are approximately seven (7) miles of trails near Tuttle and Jamestown campgrounds, and the abandoned railroad grade on the Spillway is a flat, wide trail.

42

‰ Camping: There are three camping areas with modern restrooms/showers that are generally open from mid-April through mid-October.

‰ Environmental education/interpretation: Through hands-on activities, guided walks and evening programs, participants gain appreciation, understanding, and develop a sense of stewardship toward natural and cultural resources.

‰ Natural areas: Pymatuning has two natural areas in the northern part of the lake. The 725-acre Blackjack Swamp has unique natural communities, in addition to Clark Island which has 161 acres of mature hardwood and white pine forest. .

The south shore of the park, including Jamestown Campground, boat launch, beach, cabins, picnic areas, group tenting and the park office, can be reached from US 322. The north shore of the park, including Linesville Campground, beach, picnic areas, boat launch, marina and cabins can be reached from US 6. The east shore of the park, Tuttle Campground, beach, picnic areas, boat launch and Espyville Marina can be reached from PA 285.

Winter Recreation opportunities include Ice Fishing, Iceboating, Snowmobiling (Fries Road Trail by Tuttle Campground and the abandoned railroad grade by the spillway provide five miles of trails for snowmobiles and additional trails and open fields in the Jamestown area); Cross-country Skiing (Most open areas of the park are open to cross-country skiing) and Sledding (slopes of the dam are good for sledding).

Maurice K. Goddard State Park

The 2,856-acre Maurice K. Goddard State Park is located near Sandy Lake, PA in Mercer County. The Park includes the 1,860-acre Lake Wilhelm, which is very popular with anglers. The large lake, abundant wetlands, old fields and mature forests provide a diversity of habitats for wildlife, especially waterfowl, eagles and ospreys. Facilities include:

‰ Biking: A twelve-mile paved bicycle trail follows the shoreline, accessible from many points. The trail is open to two-way bicycle traffic, hiking, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.

‰ Hiking: Fourteen (14) miles of hiking trails ranging from moderate to difficult hiking.

‰ Fishing: The 1,860-acre Lake Wilhelm is a warm-water fishery. Common species are largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, bluegill, crappie, catfish, perch and sunfish. A bait and fishing tackle concession is available at the marina.

43

‰ Picnicking: Picnic tables, pavilions (seating 40-100) and charcoal grills are available throughout the park.

‰ Hunting and Firearms: Over 1,155 acres of the Park, plus Lake Wilhelm, are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer and waterfowl. State Game Land 270 is adjacent to the park.

‰ Boating: 20 hp motors permitted; a 241-slip marina and a 48-space dry land mooring area; in addition to the boat launch area at the Marina, seven (7) other boat launches around the lake; only non-powered vessels are allowed in the Game Commission section of the lake; and the boat concession offers pontoon boats, row boats, motorboats, kayaks and canoes.

‰ Winter Activities include Ice Fishing, Iceboating, Ice Skating, Sledding and Tobogganing, Cross-country Skiing (8 miles of marked trails) and Snowmobiling (6 miles of trail)

Erie National Wildlife Refuge

Erie National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was established in 1959 and is located in Crawford County ten (10) miles east of Meadville near Guys Mills village. The refuge consists of two separate land units. The Sugar Lake Division, containing 5,206 acres, is the unit closest to Guys Mills. The Seneca Division, containing 3,594 acres, is 10 miles north of the Sugar Lake Division and borders French Creek near Cambridge Springs.

The primary objective of the refuge is to provide waterfowl and other migratory birds with nesting, feeding, brooding, and resting habitat. Other objectives are to provide habitat to support a diversity of wildlife species and to enhance opportunities for wildlife-oriented public recreation and environmental education. The diverse habitat types found on Erie NWR attract over 237 species of birds, 47 species of mammals and 37 species of amphibians and reptiles. Waterfowl migrations occur from March to early April and again from September to November. Visitor opportunities include wildlife viewing areas, several trails, drives and overlooks, and hunting and fishing opportunities.

44 Inventory and Survey of Businesses

The Conneaut Lake area “business district” identified by the consulting team actually consists of approximately 100 businesses in four separate areas, the in- town pedestrian scale district on Water Street and the extension of this district eastward along Route 6 (a little more vehicle oriented), the districts along Routes 18 and 618 along or near eastern and western shores of the lake, respectively and Route 18 South. The following details these business areas as identified in a windshield survey in July 2009, with greater detail given to the in- town businesses:

Water Street/Downtown/Route 6 Businesses ‰ Rite Aid: Typical franchise Rite Aid offering over the counter and, prescription drugs, personal hygiene items but also offering beach wear, beach chairs, umbrellas, coolers on a small scale. ‰ Chilson’s Home Furnishings: Appearance of a “family run” furniture business. ‰ Nifty Nails: Tanning and Nail Salon. ‰ Penny Cuts Hair Salon: Attractive 3-operator salon. ‰ The Berry Basket: Nice specialty retailer offering candles, flower arrangements, purses and jewelry, ‰ Tink’s Subs: Sandwich and related food shop. ‰ Ralston’s True Value Hardware: Appearance of the “old fashioned” hardware (rather than big-box) offering hardware and some appliances. ‰ Michael Swick: Dentist ‰ Bernie’s Country Antiques. A Business Survey respondent calls it “… the best kept secret in Conneaut Lake” perhaps reflecting the sign and business cards that read “Open by Chance or Appointment.” ‰ Livingston’s Meat: Offers various fresh meat, some seafood, gourmet soup packages, seasonings, sauces and home made maple syrup. ‰ Light House Diner: Appearance of a “home town diner”. ‰ Ardi’s: Small beauty shop also offering flower arrangements, jewelry and clothing for mature customers. ‰ J & R Party Elegance: Wedding needs, tux rental, gowns, paper decorations, balloons, banners, etc. ‰ Video Rental: Self explanatory ‰ Richmond Real Estate and Gordan Design Solutions ‰ National City Bank ‰ Pizza Hut ‰ Dillinger Auto Service: Self-explanatory but also sells wooden tables, swings, chairs. ‰ First National Bank ‰ Sheetz ‰ Conneaut Lake Museum: Visible but actually on Third St. ‰ Kentucky Fried Chicken ‰ Quality Engineering Solutions ‰ Laundromat

45 Other Route 6 Businesses ‰ Conneaut Winery ‰ Conneaut Lake Fire Dept. Station #3 (with banquet, dining and bar facilities) ‰ The Navigation Co. ‰ Nyes Marine ‰ Lakeside Medical Center ‰ Lakeview Ford ‰ Silver Shores Restaurant

Route 18 North (eastern shore) ‰ Lakeside Beer ‰ Conneaut Water Works (spa, pools) ‰ The Haven—Bar ‰ Pizza Joes & Mini Golf ‰ Lasch’s Auto Sales ‰ Lakeview Insurance ‰ Carwash ‰ Timberland Frame & Floral—candles, gifts, candy ‰ Lakeside Golf Range ‰ Pelican Landing ‰ Victory Family Worship ‰ Off Road Express ‰ HVAC ‰ PNC Bank ‰ Professional Building, Lawyers, Counselors ‰ Lakeside Meats—seafood, poultry ‰ Conneaut Lake Fire Dept. Station #2 (with banquet facilities) ‰ Lakeside Square Professional Office ‰ Lakeview Beauty Salon ‰ CL Health Center ‰ Anchor Beer Distributor ‰ Superior Construction Co. ‰ Lakeside Lanes—bowling ‰ Shell—convenience store ‰ Ace’s—bar & grill ‰ The Craft Patch ‰ Ferguson Construction ‰ Lakeside Center—4 Ever Fit, State Farm Insurance, Family Medicine, Financial Services, Surveyors ‰ Salty Dog—go cart track ‰ Coldwell Banker Real Estate ‰ Bill’s Midway Marina ‰ Stable Pit & Pub ‰ Bark Park ‰ Oakland Beach Golf & Restaurant ‰ CL Sports Association—social fraternal club ‰ River Valley Energy Services ‰ Lakeland Tool & Die ‰ Hay’s Eastside Garage

46 Rt. 618 North/South (Western Shore) ‰ Fairway 12 Motel & Lounge ‰ Snow Waters Townhouse Community ‰ Conneaut Lake Park ‰ Camperland /convenience store ‰ Parkside Motel ‰ The Palms Nite Club ‰ The Sunset View Motel ‰ Drydock Bar & Grill ‰ Milliard Aluminum & self-storage ‰ The Overnight Inn ‰ The Lake House—casual family dining ‰ CL Volunteer Fire Dept. Station #5 ‰ Walt’s Tavern ‰ Irish Cove Motel ‰ T & M Tackle & Bait ‰ Antonio’s—restaurant ‰ Ferrelton Propane Gas ‰ Conneaut Lake Self Storage

Route 18 South ‰ Zatsick’s Golden Dawn Supermarket ‰ Byler’s Custom Kitchens ‰ CL Home & Garden ‰ Buchfield Farms ‰ P & D’s Saloon ‰ National Food Management ‰ Lake Road Marine ‰ Crystal Lake Inn—Bar, Restaurant

Perceptions – Views from an Outside Visitor

Taken together, the Conneaut Lake business areas provide a varied assortment of good and services to year-round residents, seasonal residents and more casual visitors. As the inventory suggests, Conneaut Lake has the capacity and diversity to serve the traveling public. Salient perceptions include:

‰ These business areas are spread out and the newcomer probably would have difficulty just figuring out what may be available. ‰ The pedestrian-oriented Water Street business area is not really pedestrian- friendly in terms of crossing busy Route 6. In addition, the traffic lights on Water Street (Route 6) appear to be timed to get vehicular traffic through the business district as quickly as possible. ‰ Business hours vary considerably and there appear to be limited ding choice after 9:00 PM. ‰ To the consulting team, there appear to be some retailing gaps, such as ice cream parlor, women’s clothing store, men’s clothing, shoe store or bookstore.

47 ‰ With the exception of a few professional service establishments, most of the local businesses provide goods and services that may attract visitors, as well as local residents. ‰ The choice of accommodations is limited to the western side of the lake, consisting of locally-owned (rather than chain) older (1950’s-60’s) establishments.

Tourism planning theory suggests a rough rule of thumb that viable business districts that attract visitors need a minimum of ten (10) businesses that are visitor-retail, ten (10) businesses that are food-related and at least ten (10) businesses that are open after 5:00 PM. The combined Conneaut Lake business areas appear to meet this rule of thumb.

48 Business Survey

A survey of businesses was conducted during mid-2009. The questionnaire was developed in consultation with the local Stakeholders Committee. The stakeholders helped develop a listing of commercial and services businesses most closely associated with tourism and addresses and personally dropped off questionnaires, with completed questionnaires returned to the Consultant.

Overview of Responses: Stakeholder Group members distributed the questionnaires personally, focusing on those businesses particularly serving visitors and vacationers. A total of eighteen (18) responses were received representing an overall return of 33%, which exceeded our internal 25% target. The detailed returns are as follows:

TYPE Conneaut Lake # % Lodging: Motel, hotel, B&B, etc. 15.5

Retailing: Gifts, convenience goods, 4 22.2 hardware, etc. Eating/Drinking Establishments: 6 33.3 Restaurants, taverns, etc. Food Products/Services: Food products, 3 16.7 snacks, groceries, etc. Recreation services: Guide, outfitter, 15.5 sporting equipment, etc. Attraction: Amusement, museum, 15.5 entertainment establishment, etc. Medical/Dental Goods/Services 00.0 Other Professional Services: Legal, 00.0 accounting, etc. Automotive Goods/Services: Fuel, service, 00.0 automobile parts, sales, etc. Financial Services: Banking, real estate, 2 11.1 insurance, etc. Personal/Household Services: Plumbing, 00.0 contracting, hairstyling, repair, etc. Rental 00.0 Business Services: Data processing, 00.0 copying, etc. Storage/Wholesaling 00.0 Non-profit agency/organization 0 0.0 Other 0 0.0 No Response 00.0 TOTAL 18 100%

49 Business Operations: Overall, the responses are from long-term (20+ years) full- time operations together employing 192 persons, with 67% being full-time employees. a. Number of operational years for responding businesses: Long-term orientation

RANGE Conneaut Lake # % 1 year or less 1 5.5 2-5 years 1 5.5 6-10 years 1 5.5 11-20 years 3 16.7 More than 20 years 11 61.1 No Response 1 5.5 TOTAL 18 100%

b. Business a full-time or part-time operation: Full-time orientation

TYPE Conneaut Lake # % Full Time 17 94.4 Part-time 0 6.4 No Response 1 5.5 TOTAL 47 100% c. Number of people employed in businesses: Part-time profile in keeping with seasonal business orientation

TYPE Conneaut Lake # % Full Time employees 64 33.3 Part-time employees 128 66.7 TOTAL 192 100% d. Business hours varied greatly among the respondents. The “typical business day” is difficult to generalize, due to the special needs and markets of the businesses. As an illustration, nearly as many businesses open before 8:00 AM as those who open at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. While one-third close at 5:00 PM, nearly 40% close at 8:00 PM or later. The later closing is likely anticipated due to the need to serve the visiting public, perhaps differing Conneaut Lake from some other comparably sized Route 6 communities not as associated with visitors and seasonal residents. Nearly all (16) of the responding businesses note Saturday hours and two-thirds list Sunday hours as well, again differing the community from other Route 6 communities.

50 Perceived Busy Days/Seasons: a. Most designate Saturdays as the “busiest day”

DAY Conneaut Lake # % Monday 2 11.1 Tuesday 0 0.0 Wednesday 0 0.0 Thursday 0 0.0 Friday 2 11.1 Saturday 10 55.6 Sunday 1 5.5 No Difference 2 11.1 No Answer 1 5.5 b. Summer is busiest for businesses few see no differences among seasons {i.e. 13% of responding businesses); Multiple Answers allowed given some seasons “tie” for certain businesses; % reflect percent of total responses

SEASON Conneaut Lake # % Summer (Memorial Day to Labor Day) 13 56.5 Autumn (September through November) 2 8.7 Christmas Season (Thanksgiving through 1 4.3 New Years Day) Winter (January through March) 0 0.0 Spring (April through May) 1 4.3 Other 3 13.0 None; all seasons are generally the same 3 13.0

Ownership: Local orientation within community and County, with several owners residing in Erie or Mercer Counties

LOCATION Conneaut Lake # % A year-round resident of the respective 12 66.7 local community A part-time resident of the respective local 00.0 community A year-round resident of another Crawford 0 0.0 County Community A part-time resident of another Crawford 00 County Community A part-time resident of an adjacent County 3 16.7 Other; none of the above applies 1 5.5 No Answer 2 11.1 TOTAL 18 100%

51 Route 6 Location: The relative importance of US Route 6 for business at the present time is evident in that 72% rate it as either very or somewhat important.

IMPORTANCE Conneaut Lake # % Very Important 8 44.4 Somewhat Important 5 27.8 Minimally Important 1 5.5 Not Important 1 5.5 Other 1 5.5 No Answer 2 11.1 TOTAL 18

Sales and Trends: Overall positive characteristics and trends among the communities a. The estimate of business’ annual gross sales or revenues volume suggests a majority of businesses reporting sales/revenues earning in excess of $100,000 and especially those with a high volume (+$250,000) of business

RANGE Conneaut Lake # % Under $25,000 per year 0 0.0 $25,000 - $50,000 per year 2 11.1 $50,001 - $100,000 per year 3 16.7 $100,001 - $250,000 per year 2 11.1 Over $250,000 per year 7 38.9 No Answer 4 22.2 TOTAL 18 100% b. Sales/revenue volume trend in the prior 12 months is stable, perhaps reflecting recessionary impacts in the larger economy, with 50% experiencing stability and 22% having decreases.

TREND Conneaut Lake # % Increased 2 11.1 Decreased 4 22.2 Stayed about the Same 9 50.0 No Answer 3 16.7 TOTAL 18 100%

52 Customer Base/Characteristics a. There is somewhat of a variation in the “typical” daily customer/client base, with 22% having 25 or fewer but half having more than 100 customers/clients per day. RANGE - # of customers/clients per day Conneaut Lake # % Under 5 0 0.0 5-10 1 5.5 11-25 3 16.7 26-50 1 5.5 51-75 0 0.0 76-100 2 11.1

101-200 3 16.7

Over 200 6 33.3 Clients/Customers do not come to business 0 0.0 No response 2 11.1 TOTAL 18 100%

RANGE – estimated customer base “Local” “Regular” “Casual” # % # % # % 91 – 100% 1 5.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 81 – 90% 3 16.7 0 0.0 0 0.0 71 – 80% 2 11.1 0 0.0 0 0.0 61 – 70% 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 51 – 60% 0 0.0 2 11.1 0 0.0 41 – 50% 4 22.2 5 27.8 0 0.0 31 – 40% 3 16.7 2 11.1 2 11,1 21 – 30% 1 5.5 2 11.1 1 5.5 10 - 20% 0 0.0 3 16.7 2 11.1 Under 10% 1 5.5 1 5.5 6 33.3 No Answer 3 16.7 3 16.7 7 38.9 TOTAL 18 100% 18 100% 18 100% b. Percentage of customer/client base that is comprised of “local” residents (i.e. people who live in and around Conneaut Lake): There is a variation among the respondents although few appear to be overwhelmingly dependent on local residents only. Half of those offering a response suggest that locals account for 30%-50% of their customer base, comparatively a somewhat low percentage. c. Percentage of customer/client base that is comprised of “regular” visitors and tourists (i.e. visiting local families, hunters/fishermen, seasonal residents, etc. who you may be seen a number of times over the years): The “regular” visitors appear to be important to a substantial number of businesses (i.e. 60% of those offering a response) accounting for 30%-60% of their customer base.

53 d. Percentage of customer/client base that is comprised of “casual” visitors and tourists (i.e. people “passing through” who you see only once): These visitors appear to comprise relatively low percentages of the customer base among the businesses, with 60% of those offering a response suggesting they account for under 10% of their base. e. Overall summary: Moderate dependence on local residents and the regular visitors with a low dependence on the casual visitors..

Tourism and Business in General: a. Clearly the businesses have sustained less than positive trends in tourism traffic with over 60% noting a decline and another 22% seeing no change in recent years.

TYPE Conneaut Lake # % Tourist traffic has increased 1 5.5 Tourist traffic has decreased 11 61.1 No change in tourist traffic 4 22.2 No tourist traffic in this business 1 5.5 No Answer 1 5.5 TOTAL 18 100% b. Identification of the following factors that describe present business planning: Planned expansions are more in the way of expanding the offering of goods and services (22%) than physical expansions. Relatively few closing or selling and just over 44% not considering any changes presently.

CURRENT PLANNING Conneaut Lake # % Considering a physical expansion of my business’ physical plant 1 5.5 Considering expanding my offering of goods or services 4 22.2 Considering hiring new employees 3 16.7 Considering selling or closing my business 2 11.1 Not considering any changes at the present time 8 44.4 No response 0 0.0

54 Future Enhancements: Respondents were asked to identify no more than the three (3) top improvements they think would improve the community as a business or tourism destination. Multiple responses were encouraged with percentages reflecting percent of the total respondents favoring each type of improvement. a. Results suggest a mix of structural and non-structural improvements. The most popular improvements that are seen as enhancing the community as a business or tourist destination are: • 44% of the respondents identified seeing new types of businesses among the top improvements; • 39% of the respondents identified having more events and festivals among the top improvements; • 33% of the respondents identified seeing streetscape enhancements among the top improvements; and • 33% of the respondents identified storefront/façade improvements among the top improvements.

TYPE Conneaut Lake # % Storefront/façade improvements 6 33.3 Improved property maintenance 1 5.5 Streetscape (i.e. benches, landscaping) 6 33.3 Improved street maintenance 0 0.0 Streamlining ordinances/regulations 2 11.1 New types of businesses 8 44.4 Coordinated advertising/promotion 3 16.7 More events and festivals 7 38.9 Better signage to businesses/destinations 1 5.5 A local visitors information center 4 22.2 Rehabilitating and maintaining the large older homes 0 0.0 Hospitality training for business employees 0 0.0 Additional Tourist destinations/activities 4 22.2 Other 3 16.7 - Sidewalks to Station 3 - Reestablishing cooperative marketing - Cooperation with Linesville

55 b. New business development is a popular enhancement as noted above. The following types of new businesses were noted as being needed and could be sustained in the community (NOTE: due to multiple answers; percentages reflect the total respondents for each type of business): There is a small specialty retail orientation prevalent among respondents, with notable need for recreation and entertainment service establishments and appreciable interest in additional eating/drinking establishments and larger retailers.

TYPE Conneaut Lake # % Eating and drinking establishments 5 28.0 Larger retail stores (i.e. appliance, auto, etc) 5 28.0 Smaller specialty stores (i.e. antique, gifts, crafts, etc. 12 66.7 Professional services 1 5.5 Personal services 2 11.1 Convenience stores 1 5.5 Recreation and entertainment services 7 38.9 Other 3 16.7

56 Physical and Non-Physical Conditions

This subsection provides an overview of various physical characteristics, facilities and services available in the three communities, with attention emphasized on those most affecting the traveling public. The source of the information is the Central Crawford Region Multi-Municipal Comprehensive Plan (2007), PAMunicipalities.com and input.

Public Safety Services

The following summarizes local services in and around Conneaut Lake: ‰ Fire Protection – Fire protection is offered by the Conneaut Lake Volunteer Fire Department (3 stations) and the Summit Township Volunteer Fire Department (Harmonsburg) ‰ Police Service – Sadsbury Township and Conneaut Lake Borough have a joint municipal police department while Summit Township is served by the Pennsylvania State Police

Educational/Cultural

‰ The Margaret Shontz Memorial Library is located in Conneaut Lake Borough and is a member of the Crawford County Federated Library System, a federated system of nine libraries. The collection of the library contains 14,755 volumes. The library circulates 17,058 items per year. ‰ The Conneaut School District serves the area, having an elementary and a high school in Conneaut Lake, as well as additional schools in Linesville and Conneautville.

Sewer Services

‰ Conneaut Lake Borough – The Borough has an older collection system with suspected Inflow/Infiltration issues. It is managed by the Municipal Authority of the Borough of Conneaut Lake. The collection system has episodic overflows and has working on a corrective action plan. Treatment is provided at the Conneaut Lake Joint Municipal Authority. ‰ Sadsbury Township – The Conneaut Lake Joint Municipal Authority offers service and treatment. ‰ Summit Township – The Conneaut Lake Joint Municipal Authority offers service and treatment.

Water Systems

‰ Conneaut Lake Borough – The Conneaut Lake Borough Municipal Authority serves the Borough. In 2004, the water system underwent a $2 million upgrade. ‰ Sadsbury and Summit Townships – The Townships have three water systems servicing developed areas: Lakeside Water Company, Aqua Pennsylvania, Inc., and the Conneaut Lake Park Water System. The Conneaut Lake Park system reported water quality issues in the past.

57 Transportation System

There are a number of highways in the Conneaut Lake Borough and the surrounding area, with the Borough being the juncture of a number of US and PA routes. The major roads are narratively described and all are described on Table 12 in terms of traffic volumes by segment in terms of Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT), with volumes graphically depicted on page 61.

Pennsylvania U.S. Route 6

Route 6 is a major highway and the segment with US Route 322, carries the highest traffic volumes as noted on Table 12. Rt. 6 traffic volume west of Conneaut Lake Borough is relatively light (2,176), increasing at the intersections with Routes 618 and 285 both in and around the western side of the Borough and especially at the intersection with Rt. 322 PA Rt. 18. As total traffic volume increases west to east, truck traffic does as well growing from just under 300 trucks to nearly 800 per day in the Borough Business District. Traffic volume is roughly stable east of the Borough totaling nearly 12,000 vehicles per day. For a frame of reference, the absolute highest AADT’s on Route 6 statewide are nearby in and around I-79 near Meadville and in and around I-81 in the Scranton area.

The Central Crawford Region Multi-Municipal Comprehensive Plan (2007) characterizes Routes 6/322 as the Conneaut Corridor as a Non-Residential Growth Area. In fact, this corridor sustains numerous small and big-box retail establishments in the Greater Meadville Area, and directly access Interstate 79, a major regional highway in Western Pennsylvania connecting Erie (and I-90) to the north with the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area (and I-80, I-376 and 70) to the south. Property access management may be an issue on Route 6 especially in the defined Growth Area.

US Route 322

Route 322 is an east/west principal arterial linking Conneaut Lake with Ohio and points west and I-79, Meadville and points east. Route 322 follows a southeasterly track through western and central Pennsylvania eventually accessing Franklin, Clarion, I-80, Brookville and ultimately State College. Traffic volumes are moderate (3,800) southeast of the Borough but climb to 12,000 vehicles in the Borough and eastward, reflecting through traffic on the merging routes as well as local traffic to/from the Borough.

58 TABLE 12 Major Highway Profile/Traffic Volumes Conneaut Lake Heritage Communities Program

Route Location Segment AADT Comments Truck Volume Sadsbury West of Borough 2,176 West of Rt. 618 13% Township Intersection US Rt. 6 Sadsbury & Western edge of 4,674 Between Rt. 618 & Rt. 6% Conneaut Borough 285 west intersections Lake US Rt. 6 Conneaut Water Street (also 8,122 Between western edge 4% rd & PA Rt. Lake Boro includes US Rt. 322 & of Boro & 3 Street th 285 PA 18 east of 4 St.) US Rts. 6 Conneaut Water Street 11,378 Between 3rd Street & 7% & 322 Lake Boro eastern Boro line and PA Sadsbury Eastbound 5,282 Water Street & 9% Rt 18 Township Westbound Conneaut Lake Rd 5,796Boro Line – Rt. 18 Int. 6% US Rts. 6 Sadsbury & Eastbound 6,298 East of Rt. 18 4% & 322 Vernon Westbound 5,456intersection toward 6% Townships Meadville/I-79 US Rt. Sadsbury & Southwest of Borough 3,752 Intersects with Rt. 6 at 7% th 322 & PA E. Fallowfield 4 Street Rt. 18 Townships Sadsbury & Eastern shore road 3,092 North of Rts. 6/322 2% Summit around Lake intersection PA Rt. 18 Townships Summit North of Lake 3,133 North of intersection 9% Township with Rt. 618 PA Rt Sadsbury & Eastern shore road 1,493 North of Rt. 6 2% 618 Summit around Lake intersection to Rt. 18; Townships access for CLP PA Rt Sadsbury & Southeast of Borough 1,639 Continuation of separate 23% rd 285 East E. Fallowfield Rt. 285 from 3 St. in Townships Borough SR 3019 E. Fallowfield Southeast of Borough 664 From fork with Rt. 285 19% Township East SR 3015 E. Fallowfield Southeast of Borough 247 From intersection with 17% Township SR 3019 SR 3014 Summit West of PA 618 & CLP 428 Intersects with PA 618 7% Township near CLP Source: PennDOT, (counts from 2006-09) NOTE: AADT= Annual Average Daily Traffic

59 PA Route 18

Portions of north/south Route 18 separate from Route 322 are a minor arterial, linking the Borough with Sharon, I-80 and ultimately the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area to the south and I-90 in and around the Greater Erie area to the north. Locally, Route 18 is critical skirting the eastern shore of Conneaut Lake in a commercial and seasonal residential area carrying 3,100 vehicles daily with relatively few being trucks.

PA Route 618

Route 618 is classified as a rural major collector essentially forming the western portion of a highway loop around Conneaut Lake, with Routes 6 and 18. Traffic volume is relatively light (1,500) with its major function as access to/from Conneaut Lake Park, as well as some supportive commercial (eating/drinking establishments, motels, etc.) and residential development.

Bicycle/Hiking Trails

Throughout much of the northern tier of Pennsylvania, US Route 6 is Bicycle Route Y, one of six long-distance bicycle touring routes. However, this is not the case in the Conneaut Lake area. Bicycle Route Y follows PA Route 285 eastward at the Ohio border across the Pymatuning causeway through Espyville to SR 3005 then SR 3011 to Linesville. From Linesville it follows Route 6 for a short distance to SR 3016 (Harmondsburg Rd) westward to the Meadville area where it joins with PA Route 107 then Route 6 in Meadville. Bicycle Route Y skirts Conneaut Lake to the north, although PA Routes 285, 618 and 18 provide possible connections to the community and lake. Bicycle Route Y is a major east- west route in northern Pennsylvania, and intersects with Bicycle Route A, a major north-south route (follows PA Route 98) just west of I-79 and Meadville. Other trails within this section of the County include the Ernst Trail (existing and proposed segments), trails in Pymatuning State Park and Hiking and biking trails in Maurice K. Goddard State Park to the southeast.

60 PA 0 18 SR 3014 SUMMIT TOWNSHIP

Conneaut Lake Park !

Lynces Junction !

SADSBURY TOWNSHIP

8

1

6

6

A mp016 mp013

P X X 6

mp015 mp014 Conneaut Lake X ! X PA 285 CONNEAUT LAKE BOROUGH

22 3 US

VERNON TOWNSHIP

P A Stony Point 2 3 ! 85 1

0

3

R

S Average Daily Volume

S 10,000 plus R 3 0 EAST FALLOWFIELD TOWNSHIP 1 7,500 - 10,000 9 2,500 - 7,500 015 R 3 1,000 - 2,500 6 S Less than 1,000
Conneaut Lake Region 0 0.5 1 2 Miles Traffic Volume Map Transportation Issues

The Central Crawford Regional Multi-Municipal Comprehensive Plan delineates a number of suggested transportation issues or recommendations in and around Conneaut Lake:

‰ Amend Borough’s Zoning Ordinance to restrict driveway widths in the commercial areas; ‰ Install/paint crosswalks in the downtown area; ‰ Monitor performance of the traffic signals; and ‰ Upgrade sidewalks in the downtown.

There was considerable discussion within the extensive public participation process over the congestion and traffic speed along the Route 6 Corridor in downtown Conneaut Lake. This directly relates to traffic and pedestrian safety, and indirectly affects downtown as a part of a tourism destination. There is widespread public belief that the traffic signal timing appears to have as its goal the movement of regional traffic as quickly as possible through the downtown business district. This may serve regional through-traffic needs but works at cross-purpose to encourage pedestrian tourism destination traffic in town.

The Northwest Transportation Improvement Program (FFY 2009 and FFY 2011 Draft) identifies a bridge replacement on Route 6 over Conneaut Lake Outlet (FFY 2012-13) and a bridge rehabilitation on Rt. 285 over Adsit Run in Sadsbury/East Fallowfield Townships (FFY2013) as the major local programmed highway improvements in the immediate area.

62 Community Visual Conditions and Design Analysis

Crawford County contains a mix of rural and urbanized areas, with farmlands and surface waters as well interspersed boroughs and the City of Meadville. Lakes and surrounding flatlands are notable unique physiographic features especially in western and westcentral Crawford County, making this region atypical of the physiography otherwise along the US Route Corridor in Pennsylvania. Pymatuning Reservoir and Conneaut Lake are prime examples of this unique physiography. Pymatuning State Park and several State Gamelands (#213 and #214) are prime nature tourism resources. Overall, visual conditions in the gateways are generally good, although there are instances of blight and unused properties. Clearly, the recent development of Ice House Park (pictured to the left) at the southern end of Conneaut Lake and a major gateway to the community is seen as both a positive development and a good gateway greeting area.

Downtown Business District

Conneaut Lake has a fairly vibrant Central Business District centered on Water Street (US Rts 6/322), similar to other pedestrian oriented districts among comparable Route 6 communities. There are a range of business establishments including several eating establishments, two banks, an “old fashioned” hardware store, various personal service establishments and just a few specialty retail shops. The Business District had minimal streetscape enhancements at the time of field work in 2009, although an ambitious streetscape project was being planned (i.e. period lighting, many new sidewalks, electric line relocation, restored facades, crosswalks and landscaping). In addition, field work identified the following:

63

Storefronts: Windshield surveys of exteriors suggest approximately fourteen (14) storefronts in need of enhancements, ranging from maintenance and minor rehabilitation to major rehabilitation.

During field work there are some key vacancies in the business district including a vacant storefront at the Water/1st Streets intersection, several vacant parcels on South 4th Street and vacant commercial buildings on the key intersection of Water and 4th Streets.

Minimal on-street parking on Water Street (i.e. no parking except for a few spaces eastbound between 2nd and 3rd Streets and no parking between 3rd and 4th Streets) and no designation of spaces between 1st and 2nd Streets where parking is permitted. There are three private or reserved off-street lots in the block bound by Water, High, 1st and 2nd Streets (see below).

64 During the Planning Charrette, the parking issue was discussed at length. Concurrent field views identified the following specific conditions:

Off-Street

Location Surface/ Site Conditions Signage Estimated # spaces 1st Street Unpaved – gravel & old No directional signage 15 (west side concrete 1 on-site sign “Parking for Demolition site CLVFD & Ice House Park” Bordered by yellow posts/chain 1st Street Unpaved – gravel No directional or on-site 28 (east side) Demolition site CLVFD likely owner High & 2nd St Unpaved – gravel No directional or on-site 27 Demolition site Hardware likely owner

Total Estimated Spaces 70

On-Street

Block between Permitted Comments

1st & 2nd Both sides Poorly defined – no spaces or meters 2nd & 3rd North Side & 1/3 of South side Poorly defined – no spaces or meters; No parking areas signed 3rd & 4th Not Permitted No parking areas signed

Perhaps one of the more unique “businesses” is not really a business at all but Station #3 of the Conneaut Lake Volunteer Fire Company actually located just across the Sadsbury Township line but walkable from the downtown business district. Station #3 houses fire equipment and associated facilities as well as a community room and an upstairs dining room that serves legal beverages to members. This latter consideration coupled with the fact that the Borough is legally “dry” as well as the popular 50/50 drawings draws social members from a wide area.

65 Highway Oriented Business Areas

Larger and more vehicle-dependent commercial areas are located on Routes 18 and 618 that ring the Lake. The earlier Inventory of Businesses subsection profiles these areas, but generally includes an assortment of retail and service establishments, professional offices, accommodations (Route 618/western shore) and eating/drinking establishments. These areas are characterized as having more of a “highway commercial” than “pedestrian scale” feel to them, with off-street parking in front or at the side of businesses, multiple driveways and highway-oriented/scale signage.

Gateways

The major gateways into the community from the east and west on Route 6 have minimal welcoming signage and the directional signage on the eastern edge at the junction of Routes 6/322 and 18 and the western edge (Routes 6/322 and 618) directs Conneaut Lake Park traffic away from the Downtown Business District.

66 Visitor Readiness

During the preparation of the Pennsylvania Route 6 Tourism Infrastructure Plan (PA Rt. 6 Heritage Corporation; 2008), Conneaut Lake was one of the communities identified to undergo a visitor readiness study that was carried out by the Pennsylvania Downtown Center staff. A summary of findings related to the Downtown Business District follows:

Appearance: ‰ Sidewalks appear somewhat dirty and dusty ‰ Some sidewalks appear safe but some are in need of repair ‰ Visible welcome sign ‰ Visible wayfinding signage inside town, outside of town and to most tourist destinations

Public Space: ‰ Visible public spaces/parks ‰ Visible benches ‰ No visible public restrooms ‰ No visible public phones ‰ Visible public area to have a picnic ‰ Visible public area to walk a dog ‰ Some sidewalks are well-maintained throughout the business district, some areas are in need of repair ‰ Well-marked crosswalks; pedestrian signals ‰ Reasonable posted speed limit ‰ Well-marked bicycle routes; questionably wide shoulders for a bicycle in some areas ‰ No visible bicycle racks ‰ Well-marked, visible street signs ‰ No additional street lighting ‰ Easy to find parking: free parking; easily accessible ‰ Visible parking for tour buses or RV’s may be available on side streets or at Conneaut Cellars Winery

Visitor Impression: When visitors enter the Conneaut Lake area from Route 6 to the west, they are welcomed with a residential area and from the east a marina for the lake. There are beautification measures in evidence but it appears to be a constant battle to keep the business district clean, largely due to the constant truck traffic. Automobile and truck traffic is heavy but there is interest in making it better for pedestrians.

67 Signage

There are examples of good, acceptable and inappropriate signage among businesses in Conneaut Lake Borough and the Townships of Sadsbury and Summit. While signage is an intensely personal matter to most businesses they have a role in the overall visual attractiveness of the business district and the general shopping experience, factors which should temper the “individual” concept. Several key factors should be kept in mind when discussing signage.

‰ Past studies and theory has shown that on-site signage is the most cost-effective means of advertising, costing as low as $0.06 per thousand readers (and potential customers), when compared to other media;

‰ Especially within pedestrian-oriented business districts, perpendicular or projecting signage (i.e. projecting signs over a sidewalk) attract both vehicular and pedestrian traffic, while front wall signage is more difficult to see by both;

‰ Signage should promote the product or experience offered rather than just the name of the establishment or organization, for maximum curb appeal. In other words, signage should answer the question “why stop” and must do it in approximately four seconds to attract motorists. Obviously, pedestrians have a longer time to study signage; and

‰ Attractive, informative and professionally done signage says something about a business, as does hand written, uninformative, temporary and/or unattractive signage.

68 Many communities have separate signage regulations apart from zoning, while others address them in zoning. There are arguments on both sides, but many communities like the enforcement flexibility offered by a freestanding ordinance. In the case of the Crawford County heritage communities, all three communities have zoning, with revisions in process during 2009-10 in Sadsbury and Conneaut Lake Borough. Sign regulations are included in the proposed Summit Township, the existing Summit Township ordinance and the existing and proposed Borough Zoning ordinances. Sign regulations, whether in a zoning or other ordinance, generally addresses the following:

‰ Type of signage permitted: wall, perpendicular, free standing, awning, window, etc.; ‰ Number of signs permitted and/or maximum square footage of signs, often related to building or lot frontage; ‰ Location of signs – on buildings, setbacks, etc.; and ‰ Special requirements and limitations – flashing, neon, sandwich boards, etc.

The existing Borough Zoning Ordinance has signage requirements for all zoning districts and requirements for the two (2) commercial districts, including: ‰ A one-to-one relationship between total signage area square feet and lineal feet of building frontage (no upper limit listed); ‰ Projecting signage extending no more than four (4) feet; ‰ Limitations on off-premises signage to businesses not on a State Route; and ‰ A pole sign for shopping centers up to 80 square feet.

The proposed Borough Zoning Ordinance includes more detailed signage requirements in the commercial Districts than the existing ordinance, the most significant requirements being: ‰ A limitation of one (1) sign per frontage, with maximum sizes reflecting density of each commercial district; ‰ Performance standards for signs including construction and maintenance standards; ‰ Limitations on certain types of flashing/intermittently illuminated electronic lighted signs, requiring a Conditional Use; ‰ Performance standards (maximum foot candles) for illuminated signage in commercial districts; ‰ Allowance of temporary sandwich board signs and criteria; ‰ Projecting signage extending no more than six (6) feet; ‰ Standards for awning and canopy signs; and ‰ Prohibition of off-premises signs (i.e. billboards) within 660 feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way of Route 6 (identified as a Scenic Byway).

69 Summit Township signage requirements are less detailed than those of the Borough. Major components include: ‰ Signage in the Conservation District (abutting Route 618 on the west) not mentioned, permitted or prohibited; ‰ Signage in the Business District (i.e. Rt. 618 near CLP and abutting Rt. 18 near junction with Rt. 618) allows businesses to choose only one of the following various signage types: o Projecting signs (up to 20 sf projecting no more than 6 feet from building) o Ground signage (up to 45 sf per activity to a total of 100 sf) o Freestanding signs (up to 45 sf) o Wall signs (up to 25% of surface wall area) o Awnings (projecting up to 6 feet) ‰ Billboards are permitted in the Business and Agricultural District except along Route 618 (identified as a Scenic Byway).

At the time of the field work, a major revision to the Sadsbury Zoning Ordinance was underway and expected to last through 2010. Given the review draft nature of the Ordinance, copies were not made available.

Comparative Zoning

Conneaut Lake itself is within three municipalities. Most of the Lake is bordered by Sadsbury Township, although the northern reach and Conneaut Lake Park is within Summit Township. A relatively small portion of the Lake touches the northeastern edge of Conneaut Lake, adjacent to the Borough business district. The three communities have separate zoning ordinances in effect. Since the Lake is in fact the unique tourism resource of the area, this ordinance review emphasizes the interface between each ordinance and the Lake, the Borough business district and the loop formed by Routes 18, 618 and 6. A brief review of existing and/or proposed zoning regulations affecting land use will be followed by a regional existing/future land use perspective.

Sadsbury Township

During field work in November 2009, Township officials noted that the Zoning Ordinance was being revised by the Township Planning Commission and it was envisioned to be completed within 6-12 months. Since nothing is official and everything is essentially subject to change, no proposed ordinance is available to review. This timeframe makes it difficult to review details since many still had to be worked out, and renders a review of the existing ordinance meaningless.

70 Thus, this review will focus more on land use issues as they affect development associated with the Lake and Route 6 itself.

Overview

The fourteen (14) Zoning Districts in the current ordinance are expected to be merged into approximately seven (7) in the final revision. Overall, the proposed ordinance is intended to simplify and consolidate land use regulations in general. The present proposed districts are as follows:

‰ RDC Rural Development Corridor - includes linear areas abutting Rt. 322 south of the Borough and Routes 6 and 285 in the western section of the Township) ‰ TC Transition Corridors (Commercial/Residential/mixed uses) – includes linear areas abutting Route 6 abutting and east and west of the Borough, Route 285 abutting the Borough, Route 618 on the western side of the Lake and Route 18 on the eastern side ‰ CC Commercial Corridor – includes a large area on both sides of Routes 6/322 east of the Borough ‰ I Industrial – includes area in and around quarry just south of Routes 6/322, areas along Route 322 south of the Borough and an area along Route 618 ‰ R-1 Lake Area Residential – includes built up seasonal/year-round residential areas on eastern and western shores of the Lake ‰ SR Suburban Residential – includes residential areas mostly to the east of Route 18 on the eastern shore ‰ AC Agricultural Conservation – includes most of the land area of the Township, comprising much of the central western and southern sections of the Township not in the above classifications

Again, the above reflects planning in process in late-2009 subject to change and refinement. Signage regulations, scenic byway matters and the conservation subdivision alternative for development are expected to be included in the final ordinance.

Comments

The concepts of consolidation and simplification, developmental “corridors” and agricultural/conservation in localized zoning and land use planning have a great deal of relevance and appear to continue certain development patterns. Regional and county planning targets the Route 6/322 corridor between Conneaut Lake and Meadville as a development corridor, which is reflected in the proposed zoning.

The idea of mixed commercial and residential development along Routes 18 and 618 and sections of Routes 6 and 285 abutting the western side of the Borough at first may appear to be too “linear” in terms of “smart growth” concepts, but

71 does seem to reflect developmental pressures and patterns and serves as a “growth area” that focuses development on areas having the appropriate location and infrastructure and away from more pristine and agricultural areas of the Township. Mixed use areas (residential and commercial) require a careful balancing of use (I.e. types of business, residential types, etc.) and dimensional requirements (i.e. minimum lot sizes, setbacks, etc.). Given the lack of available information on the revised ordinance these critical requirements are not known but the need for careful balancing is noted in the interest of local land use planning.

Conneaut Lake Borough

The Borough was also involved in a zoning revision during the course of field work, although a copy of a proposed ordinance (dated December 2009) was made available. Both divide the Borough into four (4) districts, those being Single-Family Residential, General Residential, Commercial Business District and General Commercial. The two “general” districts are similar with the respective “mate” except the general districts allow great density and intensity of the respective residential or commercial uses. There have been some minor changes in uses and dimensional requirements when comparing the ordinances as well as the updating of terms (i.e. “Bed and Breakfast” rather than a “Tourist Home”, etc.). However, the Single-Family Residential retains that orientation and the Commercial Business District has a largely pedestrian orientation, although some highway commercial uses are possible as permitted uses (i.e. drive- through restaurants) or as conditional uses (i.e. convenience stores and motels) that require Borough Council approval. Signage regulations are more detailed in the proposed than existing ordinance while supplementary regulations appear to be less so.

Comments

The ordinances appear to provide for appropriate and reasonable uses and dimensional requirements for the Borough, consistent with the Heritage Community concept, with perhaps the exception of the potential intrusion of “highway commercial” uses in the pedestrian downtown. Greater detail to signage in the proposed ordinance is a good indication of recognition of the need to balance aesthetics and economics, and restrictions on billboards along Route 6 shows local recognition of the highway’s tourism potential. While this brief summary is focused towards zoning/land use in reference to the Pennsylvania Route 6 Heritage Community concept and not a critique of all aspects and processes outlined in the proposed ordinance, it is worth noting that the proposed ordinance provided the process for “special exceptions” (i.e. approved by Zoning Hearing Board) but did not specify any uses in this category. Special exception uses such as Home Occupations are conditional uses (Borough Council review/approval) in the draft of the proposed ordinance reviewed.

72 Summit Township

The Township ordinance is important not so much for impacts on Route 6 but due to its influence on land use in and around Conneaut Lake Park. The Township is divided among four (4) zoning districts, the Business, Conservation, Single-Family Residential and Agricultural, with the latter comprising nearly 80% of the Township land area. The area of interest abutting the Lake, the Park and Routes 18 and 618 are in the other three districts.

‰ The Park and immediate area on either side of Rt. 618 is zoned in the Business District as is an area just north of roughly between the Rts. 18/618 intersection and Faust (TR 452). This district appears to accommodate most types of commercial, recreational and amusement reasonably expected to locate there. ‰ Adjacent residential and open space areas in and around the lake and Business District are zoned for Single-Family Residential. ‰ A swath abutting and west of Route 618 is zoned as Conservation although several commercial establishments are located in this area as well as a golf course. There are few permitted uses but a golf course is one of them. There are no provisions for commercial as permitted, conditional or special exception uses.

The ordinance provides for a number of supplementary regulations regulating everything from adult entertainment and mobile home parks to off-street parking and communication towers.

Comments

Areas along Routes 618 and 18 are of interest in Heritage Communities planning, given the importance of these roads in proposed “loop tours” and as access to the Park and Lake. As noted earlier, the sign regulations require businesses to choose among various types of signs, which may pose some constraints on highway businesses attempting to capture passersby. These regulations also restrict billboards along Rt. 618 that enhances the visual quality of this route. While not being detailed these regulations give some guidance to signage.

Overview

The Generalized Zoning/Future Land Use Map on the following page graphically depicts the generalized land uses planned by the three respective municipalities. Given the scope and focus of this planning effort, exact district boundaries are not provided. Rather, the permitted uses are shown for the general areas of interest.

73 SR A 3014 Cn R C A SUMMIT TOWNSHIP R R A Meadville Junction A R R C Conneaut Lake Park

P A 0 M 18 M R S - Lake Area Residential Cn R - Single Family Residential Lynces Junction Conneaut Lake C - Commercial I - Industrial A VERNON TOWNSHIP M - Mixed Commercial/Residential S S Cn - Conservation mp012 A - Agricultural M Cn 8 S

1

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P mp016 mp013 M R 6 M PA 285 mp014 mp015 R Conneaut Lake C CONNEAUT LAKE BOROUGH C C I P A

West Vernon 2 Cn 8 A 5 2 32 S M A U A Cn

Conneaut Lake Region
Generalized Zoning/Future Land Use 0 0.5 1 2 Miles Rt 6 Corridor HCP ‰ Future Zoning: Perhaps the most noteworthy trend is the mixed commercial/residential land use designation along Routes 18 and 618 in Sadsbury. This type of use would be complementary to the “loop tour” concepts discussed later. There is only so much seasonal residential land available and Sadsbury includes some undeveloped areas on the western shore. The conservation of the area in and around the Conneaut Lake Outlet and marshy land to the south is facilitated in the inclusion in the Conservation District designation. Land near the critical Rts. 6/18 intersection on the western gateway is zoned for commercial uses, a reasonable concept given location and the interest in the Rt. 6/322 Developmental Corridor between Conneaut Lake and Meadville. In Summit Township the classification of all of the marshy land south of the Rts. 618/18 intersection as Single-Family Residential may be worth revisiting as would be the provision for commercial zoning in a segment of the present Conservation District just southwest of this same intersection west of Route 618. Overall, relatively large tracts of land in both townships away from the lake remain in districts amenable to agriculture.

‰ Comparisons with Existing Uses: Much of the land on the western shore in Sadsbury identified for mixed commercial/residential is presently vacant as is the western gateway to the Borough in and around the intersection of Rts. 6/285. The capacity of the ‘triangle” in Summit Township, just south of the Rts. 618/18 intersection, to sustain residential development is worthy of local land use planning attention, given the location, view, natural features and limited seasonal/lakeside residential land available in general. Otherwise, future zoning appears to reflect existing land use patterns and expectations. Overall, there appears to be very limited space for the expansion of seasonal residential homes given existing development and apparent natural limitations.

It is understood that Sadsbury Township and Conneaut Lake Borough may enact land use regulations that reflect the findings and recommendations of the Central Crawford Region Multi-Municipal Plan. This is a laudable effort towards meeting regional and local land use and developmental goals. Future land use and land development planning in all three of the communities, especially the sections abutting Conneaut Lake, should consider and reinforce the unique characteristics and draw afforded by the Lake.

75 SYNTHESIS OF INFORMATION

Information from various sources was gathered and reviewed, summaries of which appear in the inventories. The interpretation, application and use of this information is critical in this localized heritage tourism planning effort. This phase starts with a review at public comments at various Community Workshops and a planning charrette, then proceeds to the determination of issues and opportunities.

First Workshop – The “Wish List”

Representatives from the community actively participated in a workshop designed to solicit ideas on how to improve the communities as tourist destinations. The Workshop was held in March 2009 and focused on (1) activities available for residents and visitors presently and (2) to identify the types of attractions, improvements and events that would enhance the area as a tourist destination. The existing attractions and things valued about the Study Area were reviewed earlier in this report while the following represents a summary of popular destination needs that represent actual votes by attendees that address the question “What is needed to make the Conneaut Lake a more attractive destination?”

What is Needed: While there was a range of responses there was consensus on just a few, reflecting voting. The following page summarizes all “wish list” items while the following ones were the consensus favorites:

‰ The then-anticipated reopening of Conneaut Lake Park

‰ The planned and anticipated streetscape enhancements (Note: several individual categories combined; and

‰ New specialty retail stores (especially ice cream, bakery, arts, etc.)

76 Conneaut Lake Community Workshop Summary – Wish List to Enhance Area as Destination

Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4 Proposed Improvement Votes Proposed Improvement Votes Proposed Improvement Votes Proposed Improvement Votes “Market House” type of development 6 Reopening of CLP 10 Reopening of CLP 12 Planned streetscape enhancements 6

Reopening of CLP 5 New specialty retail (i.e. ice cream, 4 Planned streetscape enhancements 6 Reopening of CLP 5 apparel, artisans, etc.) Additional public parking 4 Adopt slogan “Nostalgic Progress” 4 Sidewalks and Tree/Flower plantings 5 New specialty retail (i.e. ice cream, 3 apparel, antique, bakery, etc.) Telling the “mammoth story” 4 Open-air flea market/produce 2 X-country/hiking/biking trails 1 B&B’s 2

New specialty retail (i.e. ice cream, 3 More regional cooperation 2 Others mentioned but garnered no votes Casino/gaming 2 bakery, jewelry, artisans, etc.) Storefront/façade improvements 3 Putt-Putt golf 1 Wayfinding signage/kiosks/flags Ferry service (downtown-Lake dock- 1 other) More lodging 1 Youth Center Internet hot spots 1 Additional public parking 1Additional public parking Others mentioned but garnered no votes Others mentioned but garnered no Sidewalk maintenance ordinance Additional public parking votes Tennis Courts Canal era development Visitors Center Horse/Buggy ride around lake Fishing tournament Bus Tour/Linkage Antique mall Snow sculpting tournament Town Dock Craft/Art Show Ernst Trail Extension “Ghost Lake” (remembering famous Improvements to Fireman’s Beach & ghosts i.e. Elizabeth) Playground Wooden Boat Show

77 Second Workshop – The Planning Charrette

A second set of Community Workshops was held in conjunction with a three-day planning charrette during July 28th – 30th 2009 for the purpose of reviewing the planning process and findings to date, interactive field work, key person/focus group meetings and receive local input on preliminary recommendations. A total of 58 people participated in the Charrette

Public Session #1 7/28/09

Presentation: Rt. 6 and HCP Overview; Tourism Primer, “Uniqueness” description and localization, Connection of nodes, physical & non-physical elements under consideration and potential markets

Public Input: Conditions: • Ice House Park has enhanced visual gateway; seen as a beginning and can be furthered via streetscape • Vacant commercial storefronts and properties in 4-block area; costs sought by landowners noted as contributing factor • Rt. 6/322 carries substantial truck traffic negatively affecting downtown; not a factor on Rt. 18 contributing to business development there • Proposed scenic byways in process and would help tourism • Conneaut Lake has an entertainment/recreation role; it is a “happening place” • Accommodations are inadequate, noted as aging, dated fixtures, etc.; does not address families, convention business, in-door facilities • Competition between fire companies and private bars • Fireman’s Beach purchased by Borough relayed to fire company for public use

Needs: • Dining variety, especially finer dining and outdoor dining • Improved wireless availability • Signage needed to direct tourists to attractions, activities and other nearby towns/sites • Brochure is needed on Conneaut Lake listing/mapping resources, attractions, businesses, etc. • Historic District reviewed for town and CLP with restrictions/tax credits – question on tax credit applicability and leased property (much in CLP) • Enhanced accommodations required but complicated by proximity to Meadville; B&B’s seen as a potential • Enhanced winter activities/marketing – snowmobiling, hunters, ice fishing tourney • Parking – minimal on-street with no signage (causes confusion by tourists) and undefined & unpaved off-street lots with no signage

78

Historic Group Meeting and Museum Tour (7/29/09) Planning Team toured facility and discussed various structural (video needs) and non-structural (curatorial assistance issues) needs

Government Focus Group 7/29/09

Conditions: o Extend 90-day season - frozen lake from January - April o Build on the “Ice Road Truckers” popularity with Ice Races on frozen lake o Ice skating o Wind surfing on ice o Public Observation Building for watching ice fishing • Fireman’s Beach - Recent controversy over DEP/DCNR Best Management Practices approach that would have changed site uses (i.e. more passive use near lake, revenue loss by borough, etc.)

Needs: • More clear posting of parking – on and off-street – hours and marked spaces on streets and better directional signage for off-street • Compatible signage requirements across municipal lines (i.e. three municipalities surround lake) • Noise and traffic issues in borough • FAM Tour – “know your neighbors”

Youth/Family Focus Group 7/29/09

Conditions: • Perceived conflict between families/bikers and families/”party” image in general • Renewed use of CLP may have raised alcohol as an issue • The 6 seasonal home associations have different rules/regulations for beach/facilities use • Iroquois Country Club, CLP and Hotel have employed many younger people • Youth Activities – Under 21 dances at Beach Club, bowling, mini-golf, fishing and other lake activities

Needs: • More beautification/flowers at strategic locations • No movies • Nearest recreation complex is in Meadville

79 Stakeholders Group Meeting 7/29/09

Conditions: • CLP attracted 28,000 people over Memorial Day weekend • CLP issues o Boardwalk “boards” being sold as fundraiser o Leased rides as per agreement o Back tax repayment plan in process o Lien/Debt payment/purchase can affect ownership/future • Electric line relocation project in process in Borough (rear of buildings) • Seasonal Rental market in 2009 o Weekly rental market is fairly good o Weekend rentals are a need o 5-6 cottages in CLP are rentable (many are not)

Needs: • “Time” is needed for repayments • B&B in house(s) in CLP • Re-adoption of PA Byways may be necessary due to technicality • Covered ampitheatre is needed – Fireman’s Beach or floating • Agricultural Heritage o Amish Tour – farms and allied business o Farm Tourism (near Meadville) • Youth activities – indoor gym and video arcade • Local debate over CLABA marketing efforts (i.e. contract expiration in April 2009, impacts on Crawford County VB advertising/promotions)

Public Session #2 7/30/09

PennDOT issues • HOP involvement on streetscape enhancements • 25 MPH request in town Ice Age connection with signage Lake public access issue • Need for town dock (permit is in process) • Kaleigh Belle could act as water taxi with a town dock • Easement will be necessary to complete public access connection between Fireman’s Beach and 1st Street Streetscape enhancements seen as an important catalyst Concepts: • Directional/wayfinding signage (i.e. library, shopping, school, etc.) • Public events bulletin board • Snow Ball Festival could be expanded into a Winterfest • Haunted Hotel

80 Recommendations

Focal Point – “100+ years of tourism heritage” • CLP and the Lake • Famous “Dark Rides” • Restored Hotel and Amusements – to the “Golden Ages” (early-1900’s, 1950’s) • Historic interpretation by play acting volunteers

Ice Age Heritage – “Conneaut Lake 10,000 Years in the Making” • Mammoth Interpretation • Archaeological Sites • Hosting Archaeological Conferences/Conventions at Hotel

Lake Loop Road – focus on Seasonal Recreational Heritage • CLP – Town Connection • Pull-Offs and Interpretive Signage – Mammoths, canal heritage, former hotel sites, directional, wayfinding • Intersection/turning lane enhancements • Common signage regulations by three municipalities

Scenic Byway Loop • Links Pymatuning and Conneaut Lakes • Rt. 6, Rt. 285 and SR 3011 • Together with Loop Road results in a Double Lake Loop

Covered Floating Stage • Can be used near CLP beach and near Ice House Park/Fireman’s Beach • Another figurative link between CLP and Town via Lake

Informational Kiosks • Ice House Park • Eastern loop road (tbd) • CLP

“Trail Town” • Identified in Greenway Plan • Ernst Trail Extension o Builds off of National Recreation Trail designation for existing section o Reinforces and interprets Ice Age Heritage in and around marsh o Remnant of Rail Heritage – railroad route around lake to Meadville Junction o Branch route to CLP • Pedestrian access required between Ice House Park and Fireman’s Beach; would require easement over private property

81 Conneaut Lake Area Historical Society Museum • Video records • Curatorial Assistance

Potential Historic Districts • Borough and Conneaut Lake Park • Design Standards • Financial incentives via Rehabilitation Tax Credits and future PHMC funding

Development of a Town Dock in vicinity of Ice House Park • Deals directly with connectivity and public lake access

Town Revitalization Concepts • Streetscape Enhancement Project (phased) • Pedestrian Scale Downtown Sign regulations (i.e. maximum size, hanging, etc.) • In-Town lodging – inns, B&B or other appropriate scale • 14 +/- façade enhancements • Directional signage for museum, beach, Ice House Park, library and other in- town resources • Building/Site Redevelopment/Reuse - three near intersection of Rt.6/322 (4th Street) and one at 1st Street • “Elm Street” (i.e. residential revitalization) enhancements along High Street

Parking • Off-street parking – arrangements with Fire Company Station #3 and a private owner; signage • On-Street – parking stalls and signage

82 Third Workshop Series – Draft Presentation and Comments

The third Community Workshop was held on February 16, 2010

Program Overview: HCP Workshop Presentation – Background and Context Tourism “Factoids” Issues & Opportunities Recommendation Overview Following the presentation, most discussion focused on “next steps” for implementation

Implementation will require a wide volunteer with wide representation via committees that should be broad enough to includes boro & townships, planning, CLABA, businesses • Presently there is no sense of jointure or coordination among businesses • The effort must avoid cliques • Committee concepts noted o Business Committee o Traffic Committee – especially given the pedestrian issues in town o Recreation Committee – with a 4-season focus (i.e. ice fishing event) o Historical Committee – focused on museum & heritage events o Kiosks/signage/Wayfinding Committee o Promotions Committee o Community Life Committee – housing, churches, restaurants • Term “Steering Committee” appears to be preferred, with role as overall clearinghouse o Membership from various existing groups, organizations, etc. membership from (i.e. Rt 6 Stakeholders, Com Development Committee, School District, etc.) o Major role in activities coordination (i.e. avoid conflicting dates, etc.) • Master listing of groups is being put together locally for follow-up meeting • Comments on timeframes for recommendations o Downtown Regulations may not be a short-term recommendation o Kiosks may not be a short-term recommendation o Desire for them to be “targets” rather than “carved in stone” for priorities o “Directions” & Signage are important early action item – Lake, CLP and Fireman’s Beach; funding for signage should be sought soon o Floating Stage implementation is more likely long-term; preliminary discussions in medium-term o Add Immediate request to PennDOT for reduction of speed in town to 25 MPH o Ernst Trail Extension “on hold” due to environmental issues (i.e. eagles nest) • Conneaut Lake Borough & Sadsbury Township are presently revising zoning ordinances o Regional plan follow-up (w/ Vernon Township & Meadville) o Intergovernmental Agreement has not yet been completed, affects regional land use concept (i.e. Adult Uses, etc.)

83 • Need for consolidated and updated websites o At a minimum linking existing websites o Along with local brochures • Discussion of “Trail Town” Concept o Relationship with Greenway Plan discussed o “Main Street” w/ bike racks & boat launches

Given local vacation/residential patterns, local determination of a follow-up implementation meeting scheduled for late-April. Plan to be completed with a recommendations matrix as an Appendix that can be adjusted then or later.

84 Issues and Opportunities Statement Overview

The matrix below summarizes discussion items encountered during the Heritage Communities planning process. Based on the inventories, the review of input, the discussions involving the Stakeholders, a succinct statement of issues (i.e. challenges) and opportunities (i.e. strengths to build on) is difficult to do and subject to being general. Nonetheless, the following summarizes these:

Issues Opportunities

Minimal tourism-oriented activities in March Numerous tourism-oriented outdoor & April activities May-October Maintaining the role for a revitalized CLP The Lake – year-round outdoors, unlimited and Hotel within the context of other local horsepower, glacier story part of the tourism resources “Gilded Age” & Big Bands, Ice Industry Limited public recreation and access points Boating & marine heritage; private lake on Lake access as seasonal residential incentive Small population loss in Borough (-5%) Moderate population gain in Township during 1990-2007 (+11%) during 1990-2007 Minimal tourist references to canal, Proximity of other “lake country” resources agriculture, French & Indian War, – PSP, Lake Erie resources, Conneaut Mammoths in the Lake, Native American Marsh, “Barbara J” and storied “resort sites and railroad heritage community” heritage Condition & sustainability of amusement Numerous classic and “dark” amusement Park rides in Park The need for better connections between Strategic location in relation to Cleveland, the Park and the Downtown Pittsburgh, Erie and Buffalo as well as Interstate highway system Visual/aesthetic/pedestrian conditions Relatively viable business district with some downtown – facades, crosswalks, utility unique/destination establishments lines and other streetscape conditions linked with business recruitment & development needs or niche businesses Many part-time residents with few Long history and name recognition as a permanent ties to community tourist destination and seasonal retreat Traffic congestion/public safety along Routes 6/322 between Conneaut Lake and Routes 6/322 and potential for Meadville as a “development corridor” development not compatible with tourism Little in the way of attraction & wayfinding Ice House Park preserves scenic public signage view of the Lake Lake, hotel, park & boardwalk difficult to Potential for scenic byway – Double Lake embrace downtown/on Rt. 6 Loop Balancing multiple uses on The Lake The Lake as a unifying factor among the embracing public recreation, navigation, seasonal/lakeside communities, business private access, fishing, etc. district & casual visitors

85 Themes

This discussion evolved into an identification of the Conneaut Lake Area in terms of Celebrating the Lake for 10,000 years

‰ Pre-History – Glaciers and Mammoths ‰ Lake – Heritage of water industries and activities ‰ The Park – Recreation for generations ‰ Nature - Agricultural, Equestrian and Environmental

The “Big Story” of course is the Lake. The Lake is the connection among prehistory, the ice harvesting industry, the Park, the community and the long and rich recreational heritage. Some communities must search for their “uniqueness”. Most area residents need only look outside their homes and businesses.

Stories Visitors

Tourism-oriented Cottage businesses communities The Lake

Residents Conneaut Lake Attractions Park

Synthesis

The elements of a local heritage effort are premised on an approach that provides understandable and interesting linkages with the community’s rich social, cultural and economic past and the present, embracing such disparate elements as the timber boom years and nature tourism opportunities. This requires:

‰ Physical streetscape and façade improvements pose an matter for discussion in that the general public and certain key local persons see them as very much needed while they the business community sees them

86 as needed but less important than things like attracting new types of businesses and adding additional events and activities.

‰ There is concern over continuing and improving coordination among the diverse business community in promotions, events and communication in general.

‰ The community has wide name recognition in tourism, an attribute that should be fully exploited and expanded as it strives to become even more visitor- ready. Without minimizing these resources, local input suggests Conneaut Lake wants to be “more than a Park or Lake” community.

‰ There appears to be a “disconnect” between the downtown business district and surrounding seasonal residential area residents and the many lakeside facilities and amenities.

‰ While the Lake has the potential to be a “unifying factor” in resolving this disconnect noted above, there are few public access points, a factor that complicates this role.

‰ Improved signage is seen as a way of also addressing the disconnect noted above, although existing signage on Route 6 directs westbound Conneaut Lake Park traffic away from the downtown business district.

‰ Limited/vague parking, traffic congestion and speed as well as truck volumes provide obstacles for a pedestrian-friendly downtown business district.

‰ The economic health and sustainability of Conneaut Lake Park is seen as extremely important in maintaining and enhancing the community as a tourism destination.

‰ Local input suggests that the range of accommodations in the community is rather limited, consisting mostly of older motels, the Hotel Conneaut and seasonal rentals, with little in the way of inn or Bed and Breakfast establishments.

‰ People have “fun” in Conneaut Lake, all types of people and all types of fun. Local input during workshops noted the delicate balancing of a “partying image” with a “family friendly” image with the area seen as being large and diverse enough to be both.

87 IMPLEMENTATION

The planning process has identified a number of localized implementation measures aimed to enhancing the Conneaut Lake Area as a better tourism destination and as a community. It is often easy to overlook the latter, but one major goal of heritage-tourism is to stabilize and enhance the community’s economy.

Heritage Route 6 Economic Impacts

Heritage PA sponsored a study of the economic impact of State Heritage Areas (SHA) in Pennsylvania. The study analyzed the economic impact of heritage areas and in Pennsylvania six heritage areas including PA Route 6 participated. Surveys were conducted at several sites in August through October 2008. Survey data was paired with visitation statistics for specific sites within each heritage area and fed into an economic impact model developed by the National Park Service called Money Generation Model (MGM2). The results released in 2010 revealed that visitors to participating heritage areas in Pennsylvania spent a total of $300.9 million in 2008, generating an estimated $255.8 million in direct sales, which supported over $95 million in salary and wages for Pennsylvania residents. Approximately 56% of the spending ($168 million) was generated by overnight visitors staying in hotels, motels, B&B’s, inns and other lodging, 29% ($88 million) by those either staying with friends/family or in campgrounds and 15% ($45 million) by out-of- town day visitors.

According to the Route 6 SHA portion, released by the PA Route 6 Alliance, Route 6 attracts 3.5 million travelers a year, who spend approximately $91.1 million dollars, supporting over 2,000 jobs. The study also revealed the following: ‰ 55% of the visitors to Route 6 were first-time visitors to the SHA; ‰ Over 67% of the 407 respondents, or 274 persons, were staying overnight with the following major characteristics: o 118 (43.1%) in hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts or inns o 95 (34.7%) in campgrounds o 40 (14.6% with family/friends in area o 21 (7.7%) staying overnight outside the area. ‰ The average stay along Route 6 was 2.9 nights. ‰ The typical Route 6 travel party is one to four adults traveling without children, in fact 84% of the travel parties are without children under 18 years of age. ‰ Approximately 32% of the visitors reside in a different state, 17% reside in a county within the Route 6 SHA and 51% in a county outside of the SHA. ‰ The average number of facilities or attractions visited along Route 6 is 2.8.

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Tourism and Economics

A recognized source for economic/tourism thought and strategies is The 25 Immutable Rules of Successful Tourism (Roger A. Brooks and Maury Forman; Kendall/Hunt Publishing Co., 2003), which coincides very well with the Pennsylvania Route 6 Heritage Communities Program. This referenced work begins with a simple statement that earning money in a given town and spending it elsewhere is “leakage”. Tourism as a part of an economic development strategy that seeks to avoid leakage, since it should accomplish the following: ‰ Diversifies local economy helping avoid over dependence on a few businesses; ‰ Creates multipliers on all local businesses; ‰ Brings in “new money” to the community; ‰ Helps tax base that in turn pays for community services and facilities; ‰ Creates jobs and opportunities at the entry level; ‰ Promotes business development especially when a visitor becomes an investor or future business person; and ‰ Enhances community aesthetics.

Successful tourism is premised on getting visitors to stop and keep them in town longer, especially overnight. “Visitors” may include tourist and business travelers. A few “rules of thumb” help understand the tourist-visitor a little better:

‰ State estimates suggest that 44% of all visitors stay with relatives, thus a large part of tourism occurs literally at the “kitchen table”;

‰ The visitor experience is shaped by destinations or “lures” that in turn create a potential visitor market for attractions or “diversions” (i.e. those amenities that may depend on the lure);

‰ There are a number of shifts occurring in the tourism industry due in large part to the maturization of the “baby boomer” generation: o the prime season is expanding from the June-August period to a longer April – October period; o “boomers” generally do not prefer motor coach/packaged tours but prefer to be in greater control; and o High gasoline prices notwithstanding, the RV industry appears to be healthy (RV’s are premised on “control”)

‰ Visitors spend only a portion of their time at “typical” tourist lures: o nationally, people spend 20-40 minutes in a museum o the typical lure captures people for no more than 4-6 hours per day, leaving 8-10 hours for other attractions and diversions, and 80% of tourist spending occurs at these attractions and diversions o the “scenic vista” experience usually lasts no more than 15 minutes

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Brooks and Forman often cite the “4-Times Rule” in their discussion on tourism, in that travelers subconsciously must be kept busy at a destination for a period 4 times the travel time to get there. Simply stated, one would probably not travel to Europe or Hawaii for a weekend stay, due to the travel time involved. To localize this to Conneaut Lake, driving time suggests that a visitor from the Harrisburg Area would need to justify a trip to Conneaut Lake with 18 hours of activities, while the Pittsburgher would only need a little over 6 hours of activities. The Conneaut Lake area already hosts a substantial seasonal resident population, who may travel a great or a small distance over weekends or longer periods especially in the summer.

Obviously, experiences from an area larger than the Conneaut Lake area (i.e. Route 6, Erie, Lumber Region, etc.) can be “bundled” into the visitor experiences. Finally, this latter bundling issue is reflected in the fact that people generally travel for experiences and not geography. An edited summary of their following 25 rules help assure success and are critical in the Route 6 tourism effort: o A good plan that takes into account local resources and likely visitors who may be attracted by various features, such as natural resources (i.e. forests, recreation, etc.), cultural resources (i.e. history, ethnic heritage, etc.), human resources (i.e. performing arts, crafts, etc.) and capital resources (transportation, hotels, etc.). These are included in this Heritage Community Planning effort.

‰ Partnerships among visitor, development, business and other organizations, representing the private and public sectors, much like the Conneaut Lake Stakeholders Group;

‰ Billboards and signage that “tease” and tempt or give a reason for visitors to stop, avoiding over used words and phrases (i.e. gateway, something for everyone, etc.). Signage should use the right words, be brief, have a simple design and be maintained.

‰ Adequate, clean and conveniently located comfort facilities that may include a visitor information kiosk. On the commercial side, national chains have found that restrooms actually attract customers, with approximately one-half of those purchasing something there doing it out of convenience and the other half out of guilt. In short, since everybody “has to go” why not take advantage of it as business decision?

‰ Take community design into account especially at entranceways focused on places that will make the best first impressions, keeping signage uncluttered and professionally done.

‰ As a corollary, communities need adequate and user-friendly wayfinding signage;

‰ Consider perpendicular signage with appropriate sized letter fonts for ease of reading by drivers and pedestrians, advertising the type of store not just the name that may be unfamiliar and meaningless for visitors.

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‰ Address parking issues with special “forgiveness” for parkers/shoppers, providing facilities (with signage) for RV parking and other local incentives. While enforcement may not be a major issue in Conneaut Lake, conveniently located and signed parking areas is an issue. By the way, studies show that most visitors need up to 4 hours of parking at a given location.

‰ Make the “frontline” employees (i.e. retail clerks, waiters/waitresses, etc.) part of the sales and attraction effort. This requires hospitality training, “adoption” of resources (“while you’re in town you need to see ….), cross-promotions or other local efforts.

‰ Visitor information availability 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, with informational kiosks augmenting staffed visitor centers, all of which should be conveniently located and well maintained.

‰ Create a conveniently located cluster of visitor oriented retail shopping opportunities that in turn attract a critical mass of shoppers that benefit the clustered businesses.

‰ Creatively convert any negative characteristics into positives, such as linking the numerous resources and residences ringing the lake.

‰ Develop a unique idea or concept that sets your community apart and becomes intrinsic in its theme. This may be one of the most critical and difficult elements, since many communities can claim to be a friendly small town that is close to outdoor recreation.

‰ Gather third-party endorsements that reinforce the local pitch to visitors. This can be as simple as welcoming comments at visitor’s register at the Visitor’s Center.

‰ Pursue business attraction and retention that complements the local tourism resources and helps attract visitors and keep them longer. Simply stated, focus on businesses that fit in with community image, goals and context and avoid those that may disrupt the setting or context.

‰ The most successful museums and the ones most remembered tell stories and give a context and do not merely show artifacts. ‰ Keep people interested and occupied so that they are busy four times longer than it took them to get there as noted earlier, so that they can say that “… it was worth the drive”. This requires an understanding of the potential visitor market, the concept of bundling and the relationship between accommodations and other hospitality resources.

‰ Understand the importance of “product development” not just marketing in terms of the local economic impacts of tourism. This may require a community to address certain issues such as attractions, business development, visual quality and the development of other diversions. Visitors need “something to do”, especially after 5:00.

‰ Promote activities not just the place, perhaps in an “activities guide” where the experience is addressed. This can be on the State Tourism website, local websites, niche markets, etc.

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‰ Brand the community reflecting what is that sets it apart or is unique. Again, the uniqueness sells the community. When one hears of Salem, MA or Williamsburg, VA one has an image. While these communities may be the extreme, they do illustrate the need to have a recognizable brand.

‰ Photographs should show the activities not just the resources or attractions. Again, sell the experience and not the location.

‰ Promotional items should create a positive image and provide a simple way to respond or call for more information.

‰ Carry out a public relations effort in various types of media, since it is usually more effective than advertising alone.

‰ Use the Internet to attract visitors with a quality and user-friendly website; and

‰ Advertising should be frequent and consistent.

The above include obvious and not so obvious concepts, not all of which is directly related to Conneaut Lake. However, they help form the foundation of a local tourism effort. Taken together they reinforce two critical components of any local heritage community effort, simply stated what is unique about Conneaut Lake County and how does the community setting (i.e. visual quality, retailing, attractions, diversions, etc.) interface with the area as a destination.

Tourism Factoids

The following factors have been identified by Destination Development, Inc, and premise this Heritage Community planning effort: ‰ #1 tourism activity worldwide– shopping, dining and entertainment in pedestrian- friendly setting having a critical mass of food, specialty retail and stores open after 6:00 (when 70% of spending occurs) ‰ Tourists are active 14 hrs/day – 6 hours in the primary activity that brought them to a place and 8 hours in secondary/diversionary activities ‰ Secondary or diversionary activities account for 80% of visitor spending ‰ Curb appeal accounts for 70% of most recreation and accommodations and food services sales ‰ Overnight visitors spend three times more per day than day-trippers

Building on the above the keys for success include getting visitors and passersby to stop and create and maintain ways to keep them here longer. In other words, the community needs to enhance its role as an overnight destination. Thus, the WorkPlan should: ‰ Develop, revitalize and maintain – things to do and keeping people busy ‰ Inform and direct – personal contact not just signs, websites and brochures ‰ Become a destination - Sell the experience not just the place ‰ A good first impression – aesthetics and community design

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Implementation Matrix

The various recommendations are interrelated and all oriented towards addressing and reinforcing those two critical elements underlying this planning effort, namely focusing on unique qualities and enhancing the community setting. The matrix on pages 95-104 describes and relates the recommendations, and places them into a suggested implementation timeframe.

Central to the implementation is a local responsible and coordinating party assuming the role initiated by the Conneaut Lake Stakeholders Group, namely a local body involved in developing and promoting local heritage tourism. Pragmatics should rule here, in that as is the case with smaller communities, there are only so many people to go around. A local decision, and a critical one at that, is if this role is to be by a separate individual body or a part of another, such as the Chamber of Commerce, Borough, existing community agency, etc. In addition, the multi-municipal nature of this planning effort demands a regional approach to implementation and a regional coordinating body.

The implementation process is complex and interrelated, and depends on applying for and receiving a certain amount of public funding. The final plan will be placed before the State Oversight Committee in an effort to see that this occurs. Central themes are carried forward as an attempt to reinforce Conneaut Lake in relation to the Pennsylvania Great Lakes Region, which locally embraces the recreational use of the Lake, Conneaut Lake Park and the archeological heritage associated with the lake.

Administrative - Framework/Institutional Issues

A central recommendation critical for follow-up and implementation of the Heritage Communities Program concept is the institutionalization of a “Steering Committee” that will be the central focal point for localized tourism activities recommended in this Plan. In essence, a committee is required for coordination, monitoring, follow-up, marketing and promotion associated with future Heritage Communities activities. The Steering Committee is recommended to meet the following: ‰ It should be representative and focused, embracing the community, area tourism resources and focused on furthering the recommendations of this Plan; ‰ It may include various existing groups and committees; ‰ It should also include County and regional planning and development agencies; and ‰ Officially sanctioned by municipal governing bodies.

The Committee is seen as a facilitator and coordinator focused on the implementation of WorkPlan recommendations and not a “new agency” per se. Numerous recommendations are suggested to be carried out by other existing agencies or officials. In these cases, the Committee essentially “keeps things moving” and/or monitors the community agenda and encourages actions. Certain recommendations may require the committee to assume a more active

93 role in implementation. In either case, the Committee also has annual reporting responsibilities to the Pennsylvania Route 6 Alliance, so that the Alliance is kept abreast of progress towards carrying out the WorkPlan.

Administrative – Regulatory Issues

Pages 73-75 of this WorkPlan review present and proposed zoning and land use regulations, as well as a critique of these regulations especially as they relate to Route 6 heritage resources such as the corridor and the :Lake. Conneaut Lake Borough and Sadsbury Township are revising zoning regulations reflecting the land use recommendations of a recently completed multi-municipal comprehensive plan. These ordinances are also anticipated to treat signage regulations as well. Summit Township is not in the process of revision local zoning regulations at the present time. When such a revision does occur, attention is encouraged to signage regulations as well as the designated Conservation and Single-family Residential Districts near the intersection of Routes 618 and 18. In the latter case, the area to the west of Rt. 618 is in the Conservation District but sustains several businesses while the area east of Rt. 618 and south of Rt. 18 is zoned for Single-family residential but sections may be more appropriate in the Conservation District. Of course, rezoning should follow the recommendations of a local land use/comprehensive plan, beyond the scope of the WorkPlan effort.

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Short-term (first 12 months after adoption)

Recommendation/Action Implementation Description Comments Category Establishment of a Administrative A formal group building on the activities of the May include a cross-section representing: Conneaut Lake Heritage Stakeholders Group, charged with the coordination & o Rt. 6 Heritage Community Stakeholders o Conneaut Lake Area Historical Society Community Steering monitoring of achievement of recommendations o Conneaut Lake Community Development Committee (CLCDC) Committee (CLHCSC) o Will also coordinate with the PA Route 6 Alliance o Conneaut Lake Institute o CLHCSC should not duplicate work of existing groups o Crawford County Convention & Visitors Bureau or agencies but be a clearinghouse and formal o Conneaut Lake Area Business Association o Local Governments – Borough of Conneaut Lake and Townships of organizational capacity to maintain the Rt. 6 tourism Sadsbury and Summit focus. o Crawford County Planning Commission o Conneaut Lake Area School District o Major attractions – CLP, Pymatuning State Park o Area businesses Locals should add/delete as is felt most locally appropriate. CLHCSC may be under an existing agency such as CLCDC Maintenance of Administrative CLHCSC breaks WorkPlan recommendations into Suggested implementation categories for committees as per implementation effort activities and tasks for subcommittees final Community Workshop: o Business Committee – tourism-focus business o Traffic Committee – especially given the pedestrian issues in downtown business district o Recreation Committee – with a 4-season focus o Historical Committee – focused on museum & heritage events o Kiosks/signage/Wayfinding Committee o Promotions Committee o Community Life Committee – housing, churches, restaurants Development of a local Marketing/Promotion Initiation - CLHCSC develops & maintains a local Website tab should include destinations and tourism- promotional effort with & Administrative tourism-oriented tab on an existing website (i.e. oriented/supportive businesses regional tie-in CLABA) or develop a new website o Possible website location is “Conneaut Lake Visitor o Maintain a relationship with the Crawford County Information” tab that should be expanded o Area of focus between Mile Markers 6 (Linesville) and 25 Convention & Visitors Bureau (Meadville) that include o Create multi-day itineraries reinforcing the area and ƒ 84 accommodations/food services relating to other Pennsylvania’s Great Lakes Region ƒ 62 arts, entertainment & recreation providers attractions ƒ 125 tourism-oriented retail establishments o Communication initiation and maintenance with other Website upgrading costs $1,000-$2,000 (depending on complexity Rt. 6 Heritage Communities & local capacities) with minimal maintenance costs over those for existing websites plus maintenance of a Facebook page (minimal or no costs) complementing existing pages (i.e. Conneaut Lake, Memories of Conneaut Lake, Conneaut Lake Park, etc.)

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Short-term (first 12 months after adoption) - Continued

Recommendation/Action Implementation Description Comments Category Participation in Keep Marketing/Promotion & Continuation of the annual “Litter Indexing” survey in The Litter Index requires an annual canvassing and rating Pennsylvania Beautiful Administrative and around Conneaut Lake as developed with the PA of the 8 areas locally identified (See Litter Indexing Map) Program Route 6 Alliance during the HCP planning process with follow-up work focusing on resolving identified problems and monitoring Physical Initiation of Downtown Revitalization involving This major set of developmental recommendations would Enhancements - structural & non-structural activities within the Central be aided by Main Street designation; requiring local funding under Heritage Resource Business District focused on Water Street, $1,000 (includes PDC membership). Funding cutbacks have made this program very competitive and DCED accepted no new Town Revitalization Development understanding that revitalization is a long-term planning/designation applications during fiscal year 2009-10. Program process. CLCDC suggested to serve as Main Street organization

Determine interest in the Main Street Program An alternative to the full-fledged Main Street program would be o Join the PA Downtown Center. applications under several categorical components of the o Completion of a Community Profile and Letter of Intent program for funding via DCED: o Façade Improvement Grants (self-explanatory) by CLCDC on behalf of Borough and submission via o Anchor Building Grants (renovations to a significant building DCED & Pennsylvania Downtown Center when in each town) applications are again welcomed o Downtown Reinvestment Grants (can fund a wide variety of activities – structural improvements, streetscape, Continue planning and funding resource identification construction, etc.); DCED funding in $250,000 range for planned streetscape enhancement project. o CLCDC to coordinate application(s) to DCED; Local match requirements vary among activities. Consideration of Pennsylvania Community Another potential source for revitalization funding is the Transportation Initiative (PCTI) by combining Community Conservation & Employment Program (DCED) that is streetscape & traffic calming concepts focused on community/economic development, business retention/creation and community/recreational facilities Initiate early-action activities: improvements (Application Deadline 3/21/2011). o Reduction of speed limit in business district on Water PCTI application deadline is 9/15/10 Street to 25 MPH o Improved pavement marking/signage for on-street CLCDC is trying to implement a version of the streetscape parking spaces project. The County & Locals contributed $10,000 towards the effort. Overhead utilities are being relocated. The Crawford County Planning Commission (CCPC) will be searching for grants.

Initiate/maintain dialogue with PennDOT District 1-0 on speed limit reduction

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Short-term (first 12 months after adoption) - Continued

Recommendation/Action Implementation Description Comments Category Lake-Oriented Enhancements Physical A Gazebo was originally planned for IHP but not The Lake is the unique quality of the area and can be a Enhancements - funded. Initiate planning of the Floating Stage unifying force. The Floating Stage concept reflects public Heritage Resource concept that would accomplish even more than the input during the charrette of building on the unique Development & originally planned Gazebo focusing on the following: characteristic and addressing lake access limitations. o o Permitting A small version of a floating/pontoon deck was initiated in Community Needs CLP in the summer 2009 o Docking locations (in season) in relation to existing o Varying depth of the Lake may complicate potential docking system and potential navigation issues anchorage locations o Storage locations (off-season) o Navigation issues include unlimited power boats and resulting Local consultation determined IHP partners not wake and the need to not impede navigation adverse to concept although attention required on o PA Fish & Boat Commission noted that a Special Activities aesthetics, difficulty in tying into dock system and Permit would most likely be needed from F&BC o PADEP regulates docks in the lake and would likely be storage elsewhere than IHP area. involved Wayfinding Signage Wayfinding & Initiate enhanced identification of local resources Local fundraising for identification signage, focusing on Marketing/Promotion Conneaut Lake Historical Society Museum, Ice House Park, Fireman’s Beach and Business District Historic District Heritage Resource CLHCSC takes the lead in identifying local interest in CLHCSC coordination with the Pennsylvania Historical & Development & potential eligibility of a National Register Historic Museum Commission (PHMC) & local property owners. District in Conneaut Lake Borough & Conneaut Lake o Identify potential Federal tax advantages associated with commercial development in NRHD’s should be identified & Park discussed o Discuss unique issues and measures related to the preponderance of leased properties within Conneaut Lake Park that should be explored with PHMC as they affect Federal tax advantages CLP Park/Hotel – “Golden Heritage Resource CLHCSC solicits volunteers for oral history/play acting Numerous former workers at the Hotel and/or CLP during Age” Enhancements Development & interpretation of the CLP/Hotel for strategic dates (i.e. the post-war era are residents or regular visitors to the Marketing/Promotion Memorial Day, July 4th, Pumpkin Fest, etc.) in period area. Several participated in the charrette and have noted clothes. Coordinate with Conneaut Lake Area interest in volunteering to play act their experiences as Historical Society for assistance in scripts. bellmen, ride operators, etc. Two “golden age” eras were noted as focal points - the turn of the 20th Century and post-

war 1950’s (minimal costs for costumes & scripts) Initiate restoration of signature amusements with fundraising for the Blue Streak roller coaster. Coaster restoration aimed towards private foundation funding and local fundraising

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Mid-term (1-5 years) Recommendation/Action Implementation Description Comments Category Double Lake Tours Tourism/Tours - Mapped tours in WorkPlan (See Double Lake Loop Map) Tour interconnects local and regional lake-based resources Marketing/Promotion and achieves the concept of slowing people down & Wayfinding One tour linking Conneaut Lake Borough, Linesville o Roadside signage designating route as Conneaut Lake Loop Tour; Two-faced signs at strategic locations at an estimated and Pymatuning State Park Area; cost of $15,000 - $20,000 o Unique flat topography and agricultural and water- o Interpretive Panels identifying critical resources including related recreational area mammoths, ice harvesting site CLP/Exposition Park Heritage, o US Route 6 is part of the Loop historic CLP rides & ride sites (including “dark rides”), Conneaut Lake Outlet at an estimated cost of $250/site Another loop tour around Lake Conneaut connecting o Posting of tour on a map on the local website location commercial, seasonal recreational and archeological “Conneaut Lake Visitor Information” tab with photographs from strategic areas (i.e. Pymatuning Causeway, Conneaut resources Lake Park, key commercial areas, Ice House Park, other Lake views, etc.) o Potential sources include upcoming transportation enhancements, future State Heritage Area funding if/when restored in State Budget Continuation - Town Heritage Resource Continuation of Downtown Revitalization involving Initiation of construction and continuation of major focus of Revitalization Program Development & structural & non-structural activities within the Central the developmental recommendations as the Main Street Marketing/Promotion Business District approach and/or Downtown Revitalization and/or o Begin Streetscape construction with placement of Community Conservation & Employment via DCED period-style lighting standards, benches & crosswalks o Façade Improvement Grants (matching grants for projects in o Façade enhancements/maintenance (14 +/-storefronts) the range of $2,500 - $7,500) o Downtown Reinvestment Grants (structural improvements, o Recruitment efforts – focused on presently vacant streetscape, etc.); DCED funding in $250,000 range storefronts on Water Street and site of former o CLCDC markets streetscape enhancements, vacant Navigation Company structure storefronts & potential lodging locations via local website. o Consensus on site & seek developer for in-town Note: recruitment is a part of the “Main Street” approach accommodations o CLCDC facilitates use of 3 off-street lots (see CBD o Formal designation of off-street parking areas Revitalization Map) o Directional & identification signage for off-street parking Lots Potential sources for streetscape may include upcoming transportation enhancements, future State Heritage Area funding (i.e. Route 6 State Heritage Area) if/when restored in State Budget. Trail Town Enhancements Heritage Resource Initiate discussions with local property owners over Interconnecting these resources interfaces the concept of Development & pedestrian access between Ice House Park and pedestrian-friendliness & Lake accessibility. It also is a first Marketing/Promotion Fireman’s Beach step toward realizing the “Trail Town” recommendation included in the County Greenway Plan. 98

Mid-term (1-5 years) - Continued

Recommendation/Action Implementation Description Comments Category Continuation - Lake-Oriented Physical Continuation of planning for the Floating Stage Based on discussions with the company that built the stage Enhancements Enhancements - focusing on funding and specification preparation used on the Susquehanna River in Lock Haven, PA, the Heritage Resource o Determination of private (for profit) enterprise or suggested stage would be “customized” and not a typical Development public/semi-public (non-profit) enterprise or a hybrid of “off-the–shelf” project. The company can fabricate small to public/semi-public stage ownership and leased for very large platforms, for example, they mentioned a recent private operation one in Branson, MO (noted as 24’ X 24’). Among the items o Review of potential funding sources if it will be a to be considered in specifications are the following: public/semi-public venture o Key factors they need to consider when designing a o Development of specifications facility are structural load and flotation load o The community should first desire an acceptable size Monitor the progress of the Town Dock Permit in (i.e. 40’ X 60’, 30’ X 30’, etc.) and other appurtenances process by the Borough during the HCP planning (i.e. railing, access ramps, etc.) process o Another matter to consider is water depth and anchoring; in shallow water a telescoping pipe was

noted as a common anchoring technique o Building Code issues may arise, with a wide variation of requirements nationwide depending on local code review processes and reviewers o Exposure issues need to be considered – how long the stage is in the water, storage, etc. o Costs in late-2009 for a high load facility may be in the range of $35 - $40 per square foot; meaning a 30’ X 30’ stage would be in the $31,500 - $36,000 range Localized Informational Marketing/Promotion CLHCSC determines the scope, interest in and May be a collaborative effort among CLHCSC, CLABA & Opportunities finalize locations for informational kiosks linking Crawford County Visitors & Convention Bureau, with resources & businesses to counter a disconnect options ranging from kiosks as displays for printed materials among tourism businesses, attractions & other and/or mapping of local businesses, attractions & other resources around the Lake. resources to interactive wayfinding & directory touch screens. The former approach has initial capital and periodic maintenance costs, while the more interactive approach has the up-front capital needs as well as software and activities similar to website management.

99

Mid-term (1-5 years) - continued

Recommendation/Action Implementation Description Comments Category Continuation – Historic Heritage Resource Pending the determination of interest & applicability, Requires coordination among PHMC, the Conneaut Lake District Development CLHCSC coordinates the nomination of NRHD’s in Area Historical Society and CCPC for the submission of the the Borough and/or Conneaut Lake Park and follow- required nomination document for each of the potential up information/marketing of incentives created by the districts. NRHD designation. Pending the accomplishment of the NRHD designation, CLHCSC works with PHMC to develop an outreach effort that informs and promotes the tax advantages of NRHD designation Museum Enhancements Heritage Resource The Historical Society has requested curatorial Managing collections is really managing assets, since these Development assistance in managing collections received and are collections of critical heritage resources. This can exhibited in the Museum include use of PastPerfect or similar software, an integrated data base (cost of 5.0 version is $870) with features such as capacity to hold millions of catalog records, customized fields, user specific catalog lists and report builder. Curatorial assistance may also include: o Donations documents addressing ownership/temporary loans of donated/loaned materials (minimal costs) o Interpretation assistance/planning for exhibits, relating artifacts into local themes (low cost - $1,000-$5,000) o Collections policy for accepting donations, reflecting interpretive plans and local priorities (minimal costs)

In the past PHMC had several grant programs that assisted in these types of activities, although the Museum assistance Grant Program line item was not funded in 2011, suggesting the need to identify & attract private funding, foundation assistance and those programs commonly associated with legislative initiatives

100

Long- term (6-10 years)

Recommendation/Action Implementation Description Comments Category Completion - Town Physical Last phases Downtown Revitalization completing Continuation of major focus of the developmental Revitalization Program Enhancements - structural activities and strengthening/ restructuring recommendations within the Central Business District as the Heritage Resource the orientation of the Central Business District Main Street approach and/or Downtown Revitalization Development o Completion of Streetscape construction with and/or Community Conservation & Employment via DCED o replacement of period-style lighting standards, benches Façade Improvement Grants (matching grants for projects in & crosswalks the range of $2,500 - $7,500) o Downtown Reinvestment Grants (structural improvements, o Finalize façade enhancements/maintenance (14 +/- streetscape, etc.); additional DCED funding in $250,000 - storefronts) $500,000 range o Recruitment efforts – focused on presently vacant o CLCDC markets streetscape enhancements, vacant storefronts on Water Street and site of former storefronts & potential lodging locations via local website Navigation Company structure, keyed to providing a o Development of new/rehabilitated accommodations (i.e. hotel, Lifestyle Market for Outdoor Enthusiasts & Their motel, inn, B&B) with incentives package that may include Families various sources - above State programs, Tax Increment o Assist developer for in-town accommodations Financing, HUD Section 108 Loan Guarantees & Federal Rehabilitation Investment Tax Credit program ( i.e. encourage private investment in rehabilitating income producing, historic Residential Revitalization Physical Multi-faceted physical enhancements along Line properties) nd th Program Enhancements – (between 2 and 4 ) and High Streets both Community Needs paralleling Route 6 Residential Revitalization Program activities may include o Strategic Streetscape enhancements at select locations exterior façade improvements to residential properties such (i.e. sidewalks, streetlights, etc.) as painting, siding, roof repairs, root removal & other o Façade enhancement assistance as needed in the exterior enhancements up to $5,000 per property. A 50/50 residential area match is required for façade revitalization to rental NOTE: Line Street streetscape included in original residential, non-residential & residential units owned by streetscape master plan; High Street added during HCP persons above 115% of median income. Otherwise, a 10% process cash/in-kind match is required per residential unit.

Encourage the development of private housing for Potential sources for streetscape in both areas may include maturing adults in the region. upcoming transportation enhancements, future State Heritage Area funding (i.e. Route 6 State Heritage Area) if/when restored in State Budget.

During the HCP planning process the potential for a retirement community was noted in the area, reinforcing varied housing choice, freeing older residents of maintenance & enhancing market for existing units. 101

Long- term (6-10 years)

Recommendation/Action Implementation Description Comments Category Trail Town Enhancements Tourism/Tours - Expanded and continued coordination with various The proposed segment from US Route 19 to Conneaut Heritage Resource regional agencies in the development and marketing Lake parallels Conneaut Marsh, an ancient river valley Development & of the Ernst Trail Extension as recommended in the infield with glacial debris and home to nesting bald eagles Marketing/Promotion County Greenway Plan. and migrating waterfowl. o o Reflecting the sensitive nature of this area, potential The proposed segment extends the Trail from US environmental obstacles & issues facing this Extension were Route 19 east of the Borough through Conneaut noted at public sessions Lake to Meadville Junction o This extension is essential for the community to become a o Locally, connecting CLP with a branch trail is “Trail Town” as recommended in the Greenway Plan; Trail noted (see Region Tourism and Heritage Map) Towns are expected to sustain accommodations, eating establishments & retail that serve trail users

Consideration is suggested for a Trail Feasibility PADCNR sponsors several trail programs, including Trail Study that would analyze potential users, benefits and Feasibility Study funding as well as trail development costs, including a physical inventory of alternate trail funding routings.

Completion - Lake-Oriented Physical Coordination of fabrication, delivery & placement of This was determined to be a significant project that builds Enhancements Enhancements - the Floating Stage, reflecting public and/or private on the community’s unique resource, working around the Heritage Resource venture ownership decision public accessibility issue while utilizing the Lake as a Development unifying tourism resource base. o Availability for concerts on special Spring-Early Autumn period o Event programming via the chosen public/private entity

Public/non-profit alternative suggests funding potentials via include Community Conservation & Employment via DCED and future State Heritage Area funding (i.e. Route 6 State Heritage Area) if/when restored in State Budget.

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102

Long- term (6-10 years)

Recommendation/Action Implementation Description Comments Category CLP Park/Hotel – “Golden Heritage Resource CLHCSC coordinates dialogue with owners of existing Exploit the popularity of the “retro” potential of the CLP & Age” Enhancements Development & motels and Conneaut Lake Park to encourage nearby accommodations Marketing/Promotion renovations and enhancements that focus on the o The existing accommodation establishments near CLP reflect the “motor inn” appearance popular in the 1950’s & 1960’s. restoration to the 1950’s era appearance Instead of trying to “update” or “reinvent” these accommodations as something else, consideration should be given to restorations of the classic 1950’s architecture in exterior, signage, etc. o Similarly, the latest of the CLP’s “golden ages” was during the immediate post-war 1950/1960’s, prior to the advent of the “modern” large amusement park. A period-based renovation recreating the architecture, rides & feel of this era would build on a unique characteristic of the CLP. The accommodations are “private” operations and the role of the CLHCSC is that of a facilitator and motivator, however, it can build a case with typical State funding sources such as DCED for the relationship between “period restorations”, local unique resources (i.e. CLP, the Lake) & economic base considerations. Museum Enhancements Heritage Resource The Historical Society has noted the need to video Video format would make Museum resources more Development tape or digitally record in some fashion select accessible & user-friendly. In addition to facilitating on-site collections & exhibits received and exhibited in the presentations, video format makes the collections more Museum as well as oral histories. “portable” for sharing with local agencies and schools, at area events, Facebook & other social networks & on the Historical Society’s website.

In the past PHMC had several grant programs that assisted in these types of activities, although the Museum assistance Grant Program line item was not funded in 2011, suggesting the need to identify & attract private funding, foundation assistance and those programs commonly associated with legislative initiatives

103

Long- term (6-10 years)

Recommendation/Action Implementation Description Comments Category Continuation – Historic Heritage Resource Pending the determination of interest in the Historic “Design Standards” can regulate the appearance, District Development District concept (in a portion of the Borough & CLP), materials, spacing & related requirements for construction CLHCSC works with the Borough & Summit Township or rehabilitation in defined historic/zoning districts. DCED in incorporating design standards in local zoning provides assistance via the Land Use Planning & Technical regulations. Assistance Program (LUPTAP) o Costs vary depending on scope but likely costs for revision/standards in the $15,000-$25,000 range o DCED encourages multi-municipal approaches that may vary from a “model regulation” to be revised, localized & incorporated by each of the municipalities to the actual localized regulations for both of the affected ordinances including required public meetings & enactment Double Lake Tours - Traffic Physical Encourage the funding & preparation of a traffic safety Assuming an increase in vehicular traffic over the loop, Safety Enhancements – study on the portion of the tour comprised of the Loop coordination through the regional transportation planning & Community Needs & around Lake Conneaut (Rts. 6/18/618) programming process of the Northwest Commission for the Tourism/Tours - programming of a traffic study on the identified routes, Marketing/Promotion identifying: o Existing & projected traffic volumes, turning movements. Intersection levels of service, etc. o Congested areas/times, turning movement problems, access management issues for driveways/access points, etc. o Recommended solutions including signalization (additional signals, coordination of existing, etc.), intersection improvement alternatives, turning lanes, etc. o Cost will vary with scope, with funding via the Transportation Improvement Plan with coordination via the Northwest Commission’s Transportation Advisory Committee

104

Summary of Recommendations

The maps on pages 107-10 help depict the recommendations that are appropriately graphically illustrated, cutting across the categories included in the Implementation Matrix on the previous pages.

Region Tourism and Heritage Map

This map (p. 107) identifies the regional resources – in place and suggested – in and around Conneaut Lake Borough. Obviouslu the Lake and the immediate loop around it are keys to the uniqueness of the community. The 100+ years of tourism heritage is a great building block. Adding to it is an archaeological component that led some participants in the process to note that Conneaut Lake was 10,000 years in the making. The heritage and life of this lake and community that grew along side of it are retold at the Conneaut Lake Area Historical Society and visible in present days views of the lake. Surely the Park and hotel, the roar of power boats and the seasonal homes are parts of the lake heritage, but they are relative “newcomers” in relation to the glaciers and early inhabitants of what would become Conneaut Lake. Not only do generations come together at the lake but epochs of civilization as well. The suggested recommendations essentially build on and help celebrate the Lake.

The type of lifestyle most locals involved in the planning process feel attracts visitors is associated with the lake, in the broadest sense of the word. Surely the boat enthusiasts, bathers and seasonal residents are important parts of that market, but the lake is just a part of a larger outdoor enthusiasts market. The community is identified as a “trail town” in the county greenway plan for hikers and bikers, and is within a region associated with and marketed as Pennsylvania's Great Lakes Region, given proximity to Lake Erie, Pymatuning Lake and other lakes.

CBD Revitalization Concept Map

Revitalization (p. 108) is premised on becoming the pedestrian-friendly shopping area for these water and land outdoor enthusiats. Again the lake is a defining and unifying force, reflected in the very visible and very popular Ice House Park, something the floating stage recommendation builds on. Streetscape and façade recommendations deal with the aesthetic enhancements especially important to pedestriancommercial areas. The streetscape enhancements include improved crosswalks and parking, to emphasize that Water Street is not just somewhere to get through but to stop, shop and relax. Commercial reuse opportunities are iddentified that will add to the commerical choice. Signage enhancements direct the visitor to the Town Dock, the Museum, Fireman’s Beach and other local attractions.

105 Double Lake Tour Map

The WorkPlan makes a conscious effort to slow people down, getting them to stay overnight, dine, relax and venture on and off of Route 6, remembering an overnight visitor outspends a day vistor by three times. The double lake loops (p. 109) reemphasize and localize the Pennsylvania's Great Lakes Region concept. Signage opportunities include identifying markers and interpretive panels as well. One loop emphasizes Conneuat Lake, the Park and the immediate environment, while the other loop links Conneaut Lake with Linesville (another Route 6 community) and the many facilities and attractions within Pymatuning State Park.

Litter Indexing Map

The map (p. 110) represents local consensus on eight (8) subareas that will be annually reviewed by the Steering Committee to report unsightly conditions. These were viewed as being the most visible areas to regular and casual visitors alike.

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The final step of the Heritage Communities Planning effort is the development of Planning Statements that (1) embody the local heritage tourism effort and (2) relate this heritage to the identified six themes of the Pennsylvania Route 6 Corridor, which include The Warrior’s Road, Natural Opportunities, The Engineer’s Challenge, New Beginnings and Safe Havens, Visionaries, Achievers and Social Entrepreneurs and Outdoor Enthusiast’s Paradise. Popular engagement and discussions during the planning process included all of the Route 6 themes:

‰ Warrior’s Road: Locals identified numerous links with this theme including early Native American settlement and contact with explorers, the French and Indian War, a link with the American Revolution in a reported Hessian soldier buried in a local cemetery and the nearby Keystone Ordnance Works site.

‰ Natural Opportunities: The settlement and development of the Conneaut Lake area is deeply rooted in the Lake and opportunities afforded by it, ranging from the Paleo-Indian era after the last continental glacier, ice harvesting on the lake, canal travel and a rich agriculture heritage nature seen in existing fields, especially large onion fields in the region. As testimony to the agricultural heritage, locals point with pride to the Crawford County Fair, the largest in the State.

‰ The Engineers Challenge: The Canal and Railroad heritage are intertwined. The Beaver and Erie Canal, a/k/a the Erie Extension Canal (part of the Pennsylvania Canal system) and The Meadville & Linesville Railroad (later the Bessemer & Lake Erie) occupied the towpath of the abandoned canal were both critical in the context of the Conneaut Lake area. Rail was especially critical for lake-related industries including the ice harvesting so critical in pre-mechanical refrigerator America, and in connecting Conneaut Lake area hotels and Exposition Park with the rest of the larger region.

‰ New Beginnings and Safe Havens: Conneaut Lake has been a “haven” offering travelers amusement, swimming and boating opportunities since the 19th Century, as well as a seasonal/second-home haven for just about as long.

‰ Visionaries, Achievers and Social Entrepreneurs: Hotel Conneaut housed and hosted numerous celebrities such as Max Schmeling

‰ Outdoor Enthusiasts Paradise: Clearly seen as a key theme to the community, involving fishing and ice fishing, boating (including boat

111 shows, regattas, marinas) activities at Conneaut Lake Park and linkages with nearby lakes and State Parks.

In tourism, a brand is how a place is perceived. That perception may be reinforced by a logo or slogan. A brand is also a promise, one that is “delivered on” via certain attractions, activities and resources. This promise may create expectations and impressions among the public. A brand is also a reputation that is earned, good or bad, over a period of time and it is not invented overnight or even rolled out. Slogans, advertisements and logos merely get the word out about the brand. In tourism, brands should relate to activities and experiences, and just as they are in well- recognized products, tourism brands should be rather unique.

Brand recognition and other reactions are created by the accumulation of experiences with the specific product or service. Some marketers distinguish the psychological aspect of a brand from the experiential aspect. The experiential aspect consists of the sum of all points of contact with the brand and is known as the brand experience. The psychological aspect, sometimes referred to as the brand image, is a symbolic construct created within the minds of people and consists of all the information and expectations associated with a product or service. Thus, a brand really resides within the hearts and minds of customers, clients, and, in this case, tourists. It is the sum total of their experiences and perceptions, some of which you can influence, and some that you cannot.

The Conneaut Brand

Clearly the outdoor recreation especially in relation to Lake opportunities and the Park are parts of the brand of the community, but increasingly interest in hiking and biking are becoming popular as well. People have looked at Conneaut Lake as a place to “get away”, relax, have fun and even party a bit. The Lake has been responsible for most settlement and development, not just since the 19th Century but for over 10,000 years.

Capitalizing on Pre-History

The Conneaut Lake area is uniquely suited to tell the story of the Ice Age in Pennsylvania. The recovery of mammoth remains and the evidence of early hunters in and around the lake provide details of a compelling story of life in northern Pennsylvania at a time far removed from today. Because ice was also an important story in the development of the lake (i.e. ice companies), it can be used as a theme to build or complement events for every season. The Ice Age theme can also be developed into educational programming (school programs,

112 conferences, archaeological/paleontological studies, etc.) about climate change. The point was made at various junctures in the planning process that Conneaut Lake was 10,000 years in the making! In addition, the Mammoth and Paleo- Indian Cultural Period (14,000–8,000 BC) lends itself to tying in with Wyalusing’s pre-history and mammoth story (NOTE: Wyalusing is another Route 6 Heritage Community approximately 270 miles to the east). Furthermore, it may be tied in with an Archaeological Event such as PA Archaeology Month (October) and/or the Annual Meeting of the PA Archaeological Council (April) by co-sponsoring meetings or other events. Several potential allied partners include: ‰ Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology: It was organized in 1929 to promote the study of the prehistoric and historic archaeological resources of Pennsylvania and neighboring states. It encourages responsible scientific research and promotes the conservation of archaeological sites, artifacts, and information, among other roles. ‰ Pennsylvania Archaeological Council: The Pennsylvania Archaeological Council (PAC) is a statewide organization of professional archaeologists dedicated to promoting Pennsylvania archaeology. The specific goals of the organization are: o to actively promote legislation in the best interests of archaeology in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, o to assist and advise state and federal agencies within the Commonwealth in matters pertaining to historic and archaeological preservation and to encourage the highest standards of professionalism in such matters, o to promote informed and creative archaeological research and to provide a vehicle for its dissemination, o to promote the education of both the public and private sectors in all archaeological matters, o to establish ethical and research standards for the conduct of archaeology in the Commonwealth, and o to provide both scientific and moral leadership in all archaeological matters in the Commonwealth. PAC has great interest in the field in the cross-Atlantic migration of pre-historic persons, a topic that appears to have some local applicability and relevance in the Conneaut Lake area.

Power

The buzz of speedboats and the rumble of Harleys – Conneaut Lake seems to go hand-in- hand with “power”. This is not just a quiet, peaceful lakeside retreat but also a place where powered recreation is important. The lake can host annual boat races or regattas for classic speedboats as well as snowmobile races in winter on the frozen lake.

113 Marketing and Hospitality Planning Statement

The Conneaut Lake community should focus its respective uniqueness to attract the traveling public and strengthen itself as a destination. While outdoor adventure/recreation is abundant and the small town quaintness is a reality, the question still begs, “What can a traveler get in Conneaut Lake that they cannot find in their own backyard?” This WorkPlan identifies these unique qualities and Conneaut Lake’s attractions and resources should be on the tips of every townsperson’s tongue. Identified early on in the planning process was the need to provide information on local and regional attractions in a consistent location. Information should be easily available on how to get to a given attraction or activity, the best way to experience it, and the history or story related to the attraction.

‰ Wayfinding signage should be incorporated into the plan and be part of the informational system; it should be easy to read and congruent throughout community.

‰ The theme and its coordinated message should be center to a localized marketing and promotion effort that is at the same time coordinated with other regional efforts. In this case, it includes the Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau, as well as the PA Route 6 Alliance. Cross promotion of events and attractions should be both community-wide and regionally based.

Recognizing the relationship between Conneaut Lake and the larger “lake region” is important in marketing. Conneaut Lake is a part of water-related tourism resources of the larger region. In addition, the topography of the Pennsylvania Great Lakes Region is unlike that of any other area along the Pennsylvania Route 6 Corridor, reinforcing the fact that Route 6 may be a single entity but is not a single identity. The matrix includes a number of recommendations on getting these messages out.

Identified early on in the planning project was the need to provide information on local and regional attractions in consistent and convenient locations. The WorkPlan identifies locations for informational kiosks that are a direct effort towards uniting the many resources located in the region. The sheer size of the area and distribution of resources defies “walkability” among all resources. Thus, internet based marketing coupled with accessible informational kiosks are identified

114 Regional and Local Promotions

The WorkPlan suggests a combined effort that both ties in with those of the Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau and further develops local promotional efforts. Websites continue to grow in importance in tourism promotions, and the recommendations in the Implementation Matrix reflect this. ‰ Reach and maintain local consensus among businesses, the Park and local officials on the concept of Conneaut Lake’s Golden Age or Ages (i.e. turn of the 20th Century and 1950’s) as a focal point in conveying a consistent message and identity; ‰ Conneaut Lake should be active in the promotions of the Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau, with possible representation on the Board of Directors. This arrangement will afford the communities the opportunity to participate in other state, regional and local efforts. ‰ Create a multi-day itinerary using Double Lake Loop Tours as the unifying force for activities and visits to the area. The tour brings together the lake, CLP and agricultural experiences. In all cases, the experience not necessarily the locations/towns should be emphasized. ‰ The itinerary should be posted on local/regional websites and provided to all local and regional marketing affiliates. ‰ Create a small 4x9 brochure with the itineraries and suggestions for other visits, with brochure costs: design and printing of limited copies (i.e. $3,000-$5,000). ‰ Incorporate National Tourism Week (1st full week of May) into the school curriculum by inviting business owners, Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau staff and local tourism experts to speak about the importance of tourism to high school students. ‰ Coordinate with the Conneaut School District in the development of curriculum for a local history course. ‰ Highlight successful businesses through an awards and recognition program. ‰ Maintain participation in the Litter Index in the Keep America Beautiful Program.

Cross Promotions

Businesses should be encouraged to cross promote their products, services and offerings. ‰ Local motels and attractions are recommended to agree on joint packaging, even cooperatively advertising their product. Attractions should not be limited to physical places. Guide services, artisans and other specialists can offer their services or learning experiences to lodging guests. ‰ Promotions are recommended to reflect the “Golden Age” themes noted in the Implementation Matrix. ‰ Certain events and attractions draw sizable crowds, giving the opportunity to connect to those events and attractions and offer something downtown to attract the visitor. For example, special sales and activities coinciding with these signature events. ‰ Development and placement of kiosks at prominent locations near downtown, CLP and along Route 18.

115 Web Presence

In addition to web-based tourism promotions, a greater presence of 271+/- area tourism resources on searchable websites, since many are not on existing bases or are not searchable to small community level. These include no less than: ‰ 84 accommodations/food services ‰ 62 arts, entertainment and recreation providers ‰ 125 tourism-oriented retail establishments

Wayfinding Planning Statement

Planning by the Pennsylvania Tourism Office’s notes the importance of installing tourist-friendly signage as part of a tourism development and promotion effort. A relatively new approach has been developed that replaces the Tourism-Oriented Directional Signage on State highways. The State signage will let people know where they are (i.e. identify regions, local communities and attractions). Wayfinding signing at a local level is a way to provide a systematic network of directional signs to guide the traveling public from major highway gateways to key civic, cultural, regional and commercial destinations using the minimum number of signs. It is designed to coincide with regional tourism marketing. A common signing program for the multi-municipal region was a recommendation that grew out of the public participation process for this Heritage Communities Program. A few guiding principles for wayfinding are summarized below: ‰ Wayfinding needs are best resolved during initial planning stages through a collaborative effort by all design professionals, architects, designers and sign makers, to address a project's total environmental communication. ‰ Graphics, such as signs, color-coding, maps, banners, brochures and Websites, provide orientation, direction, identification and regulatory information. ‰ Provide standardized "you are here" maps of the project that include an overall map of the complex and more detailed maps of specific areas. ‰ Local tourism resources should be designated by directional signage that includes a common logo, directional arrow and distance.

The challenges to current resource signing in general include lack of uniformity, message overload, sign redundancy, poor image for tourists, lack of effectiveness/prioritization, lack of background context, and lack of maintenance.

Signage System

Color/symbol coded resource signage for the resources, keyed to the following groups: ‰ Natural/Environmental resources– public and private sites ‰ Sporting resources – fishing, cycling, ATV, hiking, swimming, boating, etc. ‰ Community Life resources – churches, library, etc. ‰ Industrial/Commercial resources – past/present businesses and sites ‰ Historic Sites – museums, architecturally significant buildings, etc. ‰ Tourism Services resources – visitors centers, accommodations and food services, tourism-oriented retail/services, etc.

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Locally eligible attractions typically included in wayfinding efforts are summarized as follows: ‰ commercial attractions such as the downtown, Route 18 business district, roadside markets and other signature specialty shopping; ‰ cultural/historical attractions such as the Margaret Shontz Memorial Library, Conneaut Lake Area Museums, Conneaut Lake area schools; ‰ historical/architectural attractions such as the historic Hotel Conneaut; ‰ recreational attractions such as campgrounds, golf courses, trails, horseback riding areas, Conneaut lake Park, Ice House Park, Fireman’s Beach and the Lake; ‰ tourist services such as the motels on Route 618; and ‰ transportation facilities such as marinas, the Town Dock, the Double Lake Loop Tours.

Typically, signed attractions shall be open to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, ancestry, sex, age or handicap; be clean and pleasing in appearance, maintained in good repair; and comply with all applicable code regulations and statutes for public accommodations; be open to the general public a minimum of 30 days per calendar year; and provide sufficient parking and an on-premise sign readily visible from the highway. Signage efforts should consider a signage partnership with attractions benefiting to meet installation, design and maintenance costs.

Heritage Resource Development/Community Needs Planning Statement

Physical improvements alone will not assure success in the Conneaut Lake area becoming better tourist destinations; however their role in establishing and reinforcing the community context should not be underestimated. This WorkPlan proposes a number of community and developmental initiatives that not only make these communities better places to visit but a better place in which to live. These strategic enhancements attempt to improve the visual quality and “lure concept” by concentrating activities that reinforce the unique qualities of the community. Based on the review of input, discussion and field conditions, the development and community recommendations focus on the following:

‰ Downtown revitalization efforts in the form of a “Main Street-types” of activities, particularly in the form of enhancements to the streetscape, select commercial facades, parking identification enhancements, traffic safety/calming and other Town revitalization Program components identified on the implementation matrix;

‰ A companion residential revitalization effort in the form of an “Elm Street-type” of program focused generally on portions of High and Line Streets in Galeton;

‰ Gateway signage at strategic intersections leading into the community;

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‰ Consideration of the identification and nomination of areas as National Register Historic Districts in the Borough and within Conneaut Lake Park;

‰ Streetscape and façade enhancements focused on the three-block area sustaining the downtown business area;

‰ Adopting the Trail Town concept as recommended in the Crawford County Greenway plan, involving mid- and long-term improvements as identified ion the implementation matrix;

‰ Curatorial and financial assistance for the Conneaut Lake Area Historical Society Museum, as identified on the implementation matrix;

‰ Enhancements to Conneaut Lake Park and immediate environs on emphasizing revitalization that emphasizes a ‘retro” feel, as identified on the implementation matrix;

st ‰ The reuse of three (3) vacant buildings at two critical locations (1 Street and 4th Street) as well as in-fill development of the former Conneaut Lake Navigation Company site; and

‰ The Lake is the unique factor of the area in terms of historic significance and recreational opportunities. The limited public access inhibits it from becoming more of a unifying force. One major recommendation growing out of the planning charrette is the development of a covered floating stage adaptable for concerts near Ice House Park, Conneaut Lake Park and other potential venues along the lakeshore.

The specific types of projects and activities recommended are summarized on the graphics displayed earlier in this section.

Select Funding Sources

Given their relevance and significance, a few descriptive remarks on a number of State programs are in order.

Main Street

According to the National Trust for Historic Preservation Main Street Center, the Main Street approach includes the following: ‰ Organization involves getting everyone working toward the same goal and assembling the appropriate human and financial resources to implement a Main Street revitalization program. A governing board and standing committees make up the fundamental organizational structure of the volunteer-driven program. ‰ Promotion sells a positive image of the commercial district and encourages consumers and investors to live, work, shop, play and invest in the Main Street

118 district. By marketing a district's unique characteristics to residents, investors, business owners, and visitors, an effective promotional strategy forges a positive image through advertising, retail promotional activity, special events, and marketing campaigns carried out by local volunteers. ‰ Design means getting Main Street into top physical shape. Capitalizing on its best assets — such as historic buildings and pedestrian-oriented streets — is just part of the story. An inviting atmosphere, created through attractive window displays, parking areas, building improvements, street furniture, signs, sidewalks, street lights, and landscaping, conveys a positive visual message about the commercial district and what it has to offer. ‰ Economic Restructuring strengthens a community's existing economic assets while expanding and diversifying its economic base. The Main Street program helps sharpen the competitiveness of existing business owners and converting unused or underused commercial space into economically productive property also helps boost the profitability of the district.

Many communities focus on the design phase that is understandable (and important) but there is more to the process. The Main Street Approach is predicated on the following: ‰ Emphasis on Multi-Functional Uses: Downtowns have always housed a wide variety of functions, such as shopping, services, professional offices, hotels, churches, housing, entertainment, the arts, libraries, dining, government offices, and more. Different functions bring different types of people downtown at different times of the day and week, thereby increasing the volume and distribution of downtown activity levels. ‰ Enhancement of Sense of Place: Most downtown development efforts now recognize the value of possessing a strong sense of place. A sense of place serves to create an inviting downtown that encourages people to linger and is distinctive from other settings that suffer from generic settings (i.e., shopping malls, big box retailers, strip malls). ‰ Use of Private/Public Partnerships: The partnering of private and public interests and resources has become a dominant feature of successful downtown development. An active and well-organized downtown association can help downtown businesses and property owners work together towards their mutual benefit, serve as a unified voice representing downtown interests, and engage in marketing, promotions, business recruitment, and event coordination. ‰ Attention to Promotional Activities: The promotion of downtown attractions, businesses, and events has become a major dimension of downtown development today. Promotions are usually spearheaded by the downtown organization.

The following list outlines the categories of activities that can be funded through the Main Street Program in Pennsylvania. ‰ Main Street Designation – Personnel and other administrative costs including administration of Façade Improvement grants; typically declining annual grants ranging from $50,000 - $30,000 over a five-year period; ‰ Planning Grants – Planning grants up to $25,000 with a 50% match required. ‰ Façade Improvement Grants - Main Street designation participants may apply for a maximum grant of $30,000 for design assistance in each of the second, third, fourth and fifth years of their designation. Non-designated communities may develop a local Façade Improvement program that at a minimum matches the DCED grant

119 dollar-for-dollar with locally-generated funds. Investments by individual property owners may. The total recommended maximum Façade Improvement grant per property owner should not exceed $5,000 per property. ‰ Anchor Building Grants – Renovations to a significant downtown building usually provided as a grant to the applicant and as a loan to the developer. Funding assistance is available up to $500,000 covering up to 30% of the total project cost.

‰ Downtown Reinvestment Grants – Acquisition or rehabilitation of commercial structures, improving public sites in a commercial target area, streetscape projects, and other construction costs determined to be a part of a larger project necessary for the revitalization of a downtown area. Funding assistance is available up to $500,000 with a 50% match required.

Conneaut Lake is encouraged to work within the Main Street Program approach of DCED, either formally or at least via an effort emulating the four-point approach noted above. Promotion is an important part of this approach. Concurrent with and related to promotion, efforts to (1) attract more businesses to the downtown district and (2) coordinating hours for shops, stores and attractions are suggested.

Elm Street Approach

Elm Street is similar DCED program, primarily involved in residential revitalization, with the following goals:

‰ Revitalization of residential corridors that approach the downtown commercial districts by improving exterior appearance of buildings and streetscape; ‰ Formalize the connection between the residential neighborhoods and downtown revitalization; ‰ Prevent neighborhood decline by developing a plan that includes a sustainable community organization that will implement the 5-year strategy; and ‰ Assist municipalities in preparing and implementing a revitalization strategy in proximity to a Main Street Program/commercial district.

The reasoning behind the program is that our restored downtown commercial areas will be far more attractive to visitors and customers if the neighborhoods adjacent to them are just as appealing. Elm Street follows a five-point approach (i.e. organization, promotion, design, clean/green/safe activities and neighborhood restructuring) similar to the Main Street four-point approach. In the case of Conneaut Lake Borough, the recommended streetscape, residential and façade enhancements along High and Line Streets pose opportunities for a concerted Elm Street or Residential Revitalization approach that offers financial incentives for minor exterior revitalization and associated streetscape enhancements. The Residential Reinvestment Grant portion of the program may

120 be used to carry out physical improvements within an established residential neighborhood that is characterized as follows: ‰ within ½ mile from a commercial district ‰ pedestrian-oriented and dominated by traditional older buildings, preferably within a local historic district or National Registered Historic District which has existed as a residential neighborhood since before 1961 ‰ in need of revitalization ‰ there is a connection between the planned activity and the downtown or the Main Street revitalization the community must have an acceptable Comprehensive Strategic Plan in place that includes the proposed project as a priority.

In the past, typical Elm Street grant sizes have been in the range from $50,000 to $250,000 but could be higher depending on the project and other factors. Leveraging with other funds makes the project more competitive. Overall, eligible activities are projects that help eliminate decline within the community's traditional residential district and may include ‰ Infrastructure and structural improvements including but not limited to streets, street lights, trees, exteriors of buildings and sidewalks or other pedestrian oriented features. ‰ Structural improvements of buildings for mixed use; ‰ Acquisition of properties that could have historical significance through a subsidized loan program in conjunction with local financial institutions to encourage increased home ownership; ‰ Facade improvement grants for exteriors, such as painting, siding, coverings, design assistance, and historically accurate improvements, limited to $5,000 per property. Façade improvements are possible for non-residential buildings and rental properties but must be matched. There are some matching requirements for homeowners whose income is 115% of the median income for the community. ‰ Other activities including acquisition, demolition, code violation, corrections and improvements, emergency housing repairs, ADA ramps, passive “pocket parks” and others.

Land Use Planning and Technical Assistance Program (LUPTAP)

This program provides funds for the preparation of community comprehensive plans and the land use/land development ordinances to implement them. Typical uses include preparing and updating of comprehensive community development plans, policies and implementing mechanisms such as zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, functional plans such as downtown revitalization, water resource plans and land development regulations. While there are no minimum or maximum amounts, a 50% match required. In addition, priority is given to any county government acting on behalf of its municipalities, any group of two or more municipalities, or a body authorized to act on behalf of two or more municipalities. Given recent budgetary cuts, competition for very limited LUPTAP funding is very keen.

121 PA DCNR Trails Programs

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) administers various programs of relevance to the types identified in this Plan. These potential resources include the following programs administered by the DCNR Bureau of Recreation and Conservation: ‰ C2P2 Community Recreation and Conservation: Community Recreation and Conservation grants are awarded to municipalities and authorized nonprofit organizations for recreation, park and conservation projects. These include the rehabilitation and new development of parks and recreation facilities (development projects); acquisition of land for active or passive park and conservation purposes (acquisition projects); and planning for feasibility studies, trails studies, conservation plans, site development planning, and comprehensive recreation, greenway and open space planning . Most projects require a 50% match except for some technical assistance grants and development projects eligible as small community projects whose total project cost is $60,000 or less. The small community development projects provide a municipal applicant with a population of 5,000 or less with an alternate method of funding with a focus on playground rehabilitation to meet current safety and accessibility standards. ‰ C2P2 Land Trust Projects: Land Trust grants are awarded to plan for and acquire open space, critical habitat and natural areas. Eligible applicants include pre- qualified land trusts and conservancies. Land trust projects require a 50% cash match and/or land donation value. Priority is given to protecting critical habitat. ‰ C2P2 Pennsylvania Recreational Trails: Eligible applicants include Federal and state agencies, local governments, appropriate/authorized organizations and for- profit enterprises. o Funding Distribution – 30% of the money received annually must be for uses related to motorized recreation, 30% for uses related to non-motorized recreation and 40% to facilitate diverse recreational trail use within a recreational trail corridor. o Matching - Funding assistance is an 80/20 matching ratio, except for acquisition projects, which will be a 50/50 matching ratio. o Eligible Costs – Funds may be used for Maintenance and Restoration of existing recreational trails; Development and Rehabilitation of trail-side and trail-head facilities and trail linkages for recreational trails; Purchase and Lease of recreational trail construction and maintenance equipment; Construction of new recreational trails; Acquisition of Easements/Fee Simple Title to Property for Trails; and Operation of Educational Programs to promote safety and environmental protection related to trails (limited to 5% of available funds). ‰ C2P2 Rails-to-Trails: Projects under this type involve the development of studies (feasibility, master site development and special purpose), land acquisition, and the development of abandoned railroad rights-of-way for trail purposes under rail banking. Development includes construction of trails and associated structures, as well as support facilities, such as trail heads, access roads, parking areas, interpretive facilities and comfort facilities. Related facilities, such as walks, lighting, landscaping and signage for trail use, are eligible. ‰ C2P2 Snowmobile/ATV: Snowmobile/All Terrain Vehicle grants are awarded to assist with the planning, acquisition, construction, renovation and maintenance of areas and facilities for snowmobile and all terrain vehicle (ATV) use, the purchase or

122 lease of equipment for construction and maintenance for such work and development of educational materials and programs. Special Requirements and Conditions o Eligible development projects on lands not owned by the Commonwealth – Funding assistance is available to municipalities, profit and nonprofit organizations for the construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of snowmobile and ATV trails. o Eligible development on lands owned by the Commonwealth – Funding assistance is available only to profit and non-profit organizations (not municipalities), for rehabilitation and maintenance (not construction) of existing snowmobile and/or ATV trails on property owned by the Commonwealth (e.g. State Parks, State Forests). o Funding assistance, for all but acquisition project, is an 80% Commonwealth and 20% grantee matching ratio while the ration for acquisition is 50/50.

123 Community WorkPlan Pennsylvania Route 6 Alliance 2010