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Port Clinton Lighthouse Conservancy reports strong membership, fundraising and suggests renaming Waterworks Park
Summary
Richard Norgard, president of the Port Clinton Lighthouse Conservancy, presented a written update reporting over $50,000 in liquid funds, membership numbers, tour counts, festival partnerships, and asked the council to consider renaming Waterworks Park to Lighthouse Park; council president said a legal review and ballot would be required.
Richard Norgard, president of the Port Clinton Lighthouse Conservancy (PCLC), delivered the Conservancy's annual report to City Council on Jan. 28 and asked the council to consider renaming Waterworks Park to Lighthouse Park.
In his written and delivered report, Norgard said the Conservancy's liquid accounts totaled over $50,000, with a rainy-day fund reserved by agreement with the city that has also exceeded $50,000. The Conservancy's revenue comes from memberships, general donations, lighthouse tours, merchandise sales and grants; merchandise and partner sales contributed nearly $11,000 last year, and the Conservancy's top-selling item was the Lighthouse Passport book. Norgard said the Conservancy conducted 250 paid tours and an equal number of free tours in 2024 and reported a membership base of 126 "Keepers" plus 112 Charter and Lifetime members.
The PCLC reported successful community events, including its seventh annual Lighthouse and Maritime Festival and the organization's first partnership with the United Way of Ottawa County for the "Incredible Rubber Duck Race." Norgard thanked Mayor Snider for his support of that event. He described a community book-lending "free library" installed near the lighthouse as part of a community service project and noted the Port Clinton Recreation Amenities Plan includes paving the Washington Street parking lot near the lighthouse; the Conservancy looks forward to input on that design.
Norgard asked the council to consider renaming Waterworks Park to Lighthouse Park, saying the name would be clearer to newer residents who might not recognize the historical term "waterworks." Council President Lisa Sarty responded that a name change would require the Lighthouse Conservancy to consult an attorney and that the question would need to be placed on a ballot for community members to vote on.
The presentation provided financial and operational details about the Conservancy's activities and offered one concrete request for council consideration; no formal council action on the park name occurred at the Jan. 28 meeting.
