Stan Stepak Avon Lake Ohio Real Estate (Avon Lake, Bay Village, Westlake, OH)

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An artist's rendering of the new pool design at the Bleser Park Aquatic Center. Special to the Morning Journal

AVON LAKE - The new design for the Bleser Park Aquatic Center is supposed to be safer, more family oriented and include an attraction for senior citizens - all for an additional $280,000. Residents approved a $4.5 million bond for the project last November.

Council unveiled the updated design at last night's collective committee meeting. Councilman Martin O'Donnell said, "The money is better spent," with the new plans.

"We've been to Beachwood, Shaker Heights, Willoughby and Willowick," O'Donnell said. "We went over to places that have newer pools to see what's worked for them and what they didn't like."

The biggest addition to the project is the lazy river, which council saw on a visit to a Beachwood pool. O'Donnell says the lazy river is a favorite in Beachwood and should draw more people to Bleser Park.

"There was a lot of activity and usage for (the lazy river)," O'Donnell said. "The whole family can use it.

"We average about 250 to 300 people at the pool now," O'Donnell adds. "We could easily see 600 to 700 people a day with the lazy river.

Bleser Park will be the first community pool in Lorain County to have a lazy river. O'Donnell expects the whole park to attract people to the park, including senior citizens. He says the lazy river can be therapeutic for seniors.

"One of the things I've heard from my people is "this is for families, this is for families," Councilman Dave Kos said. "What about seniors? I think that addition of the lazy river is a good thing."

The updated design of the grounds replaces the one access road that stretches across the park from Lake Road to Electric Boulevard with two separate entrances - one of Lake Road and one off of Electric Boulevard.

"We changed the driveway entrance for the safety of the children," O'Donnell said. "The main drive was cutting through the middle of the park where kids would be running across from the baseball field to the concession area. We took that road away."

The new design also moves the water slides more to the east of the park away from the Brookfield neighborhood.

With a great town comes some great opportunites for all and here is an example. Children and adults with disabilities will enjoy "Hay Day," a family event coming to Avon Lake in September.

The Avon Lake Saddle Club, which began in the late 1960s, will be holding its third annual Hay Day 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 19 at Weiss Field in Avon Lake. Hay Day will include horse rides, the petting and grooming of horses, riding exhibitions, games and concessions.

The purpose of Hay Day is to provide an introduction to horse therapy, where equestrian activities are used to enhance the lives of people with disabilities, including autism, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome, said Kathleen Sullivan, president of the Avon Lake Saddle Club.

Other benefits of horse therapy include improved hand-eye coordination, increased self-esteem and confidence, enhanced communication and social skills, and the creation of trust and responsibility with the horse.

"The horses come from local barns, from people associated with the saddle club. They include paint horses, quarter horses, Arabians and miniature ponies," she said.

This year, draft horse owners might bring out their horses and wagons as an exhibition of that they do with bells and whistles.

The event, which drew more than 180 people last year, would not be possible without its many volunteers and donations.

"It's a nice day for families and children to come out and enjoy themselves," Sullivan said. "It's free for the families thanks to fundraising and donations. It is a day to spend together as families and not worry about expenses."

This year's fundraising has already begun, including a partnership with the Horsemen Motorcycle Association, which has done work with the Special Olympics.

The volunteers run the concessions, facilitate the games and take photos - in addition to working with the horses. "At the end of the day, it was the numerous volunteers that generously donated their time that has made this event a success," Sullivan said.

All the time, energy and money is worth the effort, according to Sullivan and she further states,"The parents are so gracious. This is just a wonderful event."

Anyone interested in volunteering or participating in the event should contact Kathleen Sullivan at katsullivan@wowway.com or (440) 536-0145.

Though I am waiting for the most current data for the summer...

What I have seen through the MLS has been very promising for these two communities. Sales as of June was up 11% from 15 months ago and climbing. And why not, both have wonderful school systems, great community activities and recreation. They are full of seasonal fairs, events and all around fun for the residents. Easy access to I90 and downtown Cleveland. What more can you say.