The Sewer District recommended that Horseshoe Lake be converted to a floodplain, resulting in the lake being permanently drained and destroyed. Currently, the Sewer District plan for Horseshoe Lake is to convert part of the area into a park. However, they have admitted that they are NOT paying for this park and the required improvements, ongoing maintenance, or landscaping to the park after dredging the lake, which leaves the cities of Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights on the hook for these costs. It is unclear how much the cities would be left to pay, but it is likely to be millions of dollars up front and millions more over the years.
Friends of Horseshoe Lake formed to advocate for residents of Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights, visitors from Northeast Ohio, and Horseshoe Lake. We have worked with a team of engineers and legal experts to develop a financially viable, safe, alternate plan that replaces the dam and restores a smaller Horseshoe Lake. Managing flood control and stormwater can be done while preserving history and our lake for generations to come.
FOHSL is now exploring additional options in an effort to save this treasured and irreplaceable asset.
FOHSL has worked with TRC, an engineering firm with extensive experience in dam projects, to find a plan for Horseshoe Lake that rebuilds the dam and restores a smaller version of Horseshoe Lake. This would manage stormwater and flood control, is safe for surrounding areas, and would preserve the history and natural resource of Horseshoe Lake. It is a win-win for the communities.
There are city council members in both cities that are vocal supporters of FOHSL, but currently both Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights mayors are supporting the Sewer District’s plan. We believe this is due to a lack of public input and transparency in the decision-making process for Horseshoe Lake.
Currently, the Sewer District plans to enter into the design phase of their proposed project in 2023-2024, begin construction in 2025 and complete the project in 2026.
Please reach out to Friends of Horseshoe Lake by emailing info@savehorseshoelake.com.
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