I hope that many of you have been able to enjoy the holiday in Lakeside, as we've had a great lineup of programs and activities. Earlier this morning, several Lakesiders were able to gather for the Master Plan Community Forum in Hoover Auditorium.
Over the past year, the Lakeside community has provided a tremendous amount of feedback regarding the future of Lakeside. Your input has been invaluable and essential to creating what is now the near-final draft of the Master Plan.
What we have now is a high-level, visionary document that will guide our decision-making over the next 15-20 years. This Master Plan will be a living and flexible document that will determine how to best invest our community resources in order to keep our community thriving.
Strong, consistent themes emerged from your feedback. Overall, Lakesiders support change and growth with careful planning. They also want to plan for the future, not only by relying on forward-thinking strategies, but by diligently preserving the unique character of this historic community.
We have taken these themes and have used them to create a framework for the future. The Master Plan reflects our dedication to the four Chautauqua pillars, our mission and the character of Lakeside. It supports, and depends on, a healthy Lake Erie, and it's mindful of the larger Lakeside community, both within and beyond the gates.
Based on those priorities, MKSK has organized its recommendations for the community into five focus areas:
- South Lakeside & a Cultural Arts Campus
- Chautauqua Corridor
- Recreation & Wellness Campus
- Downtown
- Lakefront & Central Park
There were also ideas pertaining to the greater Danbury and Marblehead community and how we can work together in the long-term to provide a more comprehensive guest experience on the peninsula.
As we look towards the future, we remain deeply grateful for the engaging feedback that Lakesiders have provided along the way. Together, we're creating a plan that builds on the inherent strengths of our community, the Chautauqua Movement and the history that makes Lakeside unique.
I invite you to view the entire Master Plan Executive Summary and encourage you to provide feedback. Comments will be accepted until Wednesday, Aug. 1. Use the 'Contact Us' form at www.lakesidemasterplan.com to provide feedback.
