Special Projects

Vermilion Main Street Beach

A Lake Erie Landmark

Vermilion’s Main Street Beach is a beloved landmark on the shores of Lake Erie and a valuable asset to the City of Vermilion, its residents, and its visitors.

Together, Western Reserve Land Conservancy and the City of Vermilion have acquired and permanently conserved lakefront property to expand Main Street Beach, Vermilion’s most popular public park. Now spanning nearly 4 acres, Vermilion residents and visitors will soon find more opportunities to enjoy outdoor recreation activities, seek respite in nature, and take in views of the beautiful Lake Erie coast and iconic Vermilion Lighthouse. Ohio reports that only 20 percent of the Lake Erie shoreline is publicly accessible, making Vermilion’s Main Street Beach a unique gem along the northern Ohio coastline.

By expanding the beach, the City has gained much-needed land to create amenities. As you may have observed the past several years, Main Street Beach has undergone major construction to install a full-service comfort station, loop trail, scenic overlooks, and more. A kayak and canoe launch, bike racks, seating areas, and trees promote a fun and relaxing atmosphere for beachgoers, paddlers, cyclists, and downtown visitors. Finally, restoring the beach’s beautiful landscape with native dune habitat, rain gardens, and more enhances the stunning view of Lake Erie and benefits birds and other wildlife.

The Final Phase

The time has come to work on the final piece of the project – directly connecting Main Street Beach to downtown Vermilion and Wakefield Metro Park, creating seamless access to an iconic Lake Erie landmark. Funding is needed to:

  • Construct a drop-off plaza adjacent to Main Street and the comfort station, featuring permeable pavers for stormwater management
  • Install the east observation area and seating areas for views of Lake Erie sunrises
  • Connecting all park assets including Wakefield Metro Park, new comfort station, new Main Street Beach and downtown Vermilion with ADA-compliant sidewalks, ramps, and grading

Of the $300,000 in costs for the final phase, $150,000 has already been raised. We are halfway to our goal. Your support is crucial to raising the final funding needed. Please help us finalize this legacy project that will be a community showpiece for future generations.

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