Published: 04/03/2019
Bayview Park Historical Signage
Our West Bayfront and the City of Erie have been working together since 2017 on a plan to enhance Bayview Park at West 2nd/Cherry Streets, a beautiful and historic City park with stunning views of Presque Isle Bay and connections via the promenade to Downtown Erie and the waterfront. The goal of improving Bayview Park was identified in the OWB Community Planning process, and the park is located within an area of focus identified in Erie Refocused.
The Bayview Park plan was developed with public input throughout its development. In the summer of 2017, OWB surveyed residents and park users on desired amenities and improvements. With design expertise provided by Dahlkemper Landscaping Design and Construction, design variations were developed and refined over the following months for additional public feedback.
The proposed improvements support efforts within the West Bayfront neighborhood, the City, and in Erie County to encourage healthy recreation and to strengthen neighborhoods. The Bayview Park project is being undertaken in conjunction with a variety of other improvements in the vicinity, including housing repair grants, sidewalk repairs, blight removal, and vacant property improvements. The project complements simultaneous efforts by Gannon University to enhance recreational programming at Bayview Park and nearby facilities.
Description of Improvements
The first phase of improvement will include the installation of a “splash pad,” creation of walking paths within and around the park, transformation of the tennis court into a multipurpose court, addition of public art that conveys the history of Pontiac Baseball Field and the New Jerusalem neighborhood, installation of benches and trash cans, pedestrian improvements along the perimeter of the park, enhancements to the entranceways and pedestrian access points, and updates to the basketball courts including fencing and lighting. Construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2019.
Funding
Funding for Phase 1 has been provided by a variety of sources, including:
- $150,000 Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- $50,000 Community Assets Grant from the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority
- $25,000 from the Erie Community Foundation
- Nearly $3,000 in donations raised through Erie Gives Day
- In-kind support by the City of Erie