Huron City Council reviews draft waterfront parks plan; OHM presents priorities and next steps

Huron City Council on Feb. 25 reviewed a draft waterfront parks plan prepared by consulting firm OHM, hearing details on proposed improvements to three lakefront properties, proposed trail connections and how the plan will be used to close out an existing grant and pursue future funding, OHM representatives said.

The plan covers three primary sites — the Showboat property near Main Street, Lakefront Park and a public-access beach on the western edge of the lake — and recommends short-, medium- and long-term actions including a network of multiuse paths, tiered waterfront steps, upgraded restrooms and a pavilion/event space. "The city received a grant, a coastal management assistance grant. This is a 50/50 grant... This is the final step in this process," said Stu Hamilton, an OHM representative, noting adoption of the plan would allow the city to close out the grant and strengthen future grant applications.

OHM said the team conducted a public survey in the fall that drew just over 300 respondents, of whom about 80%…