ASHTABULA, OH - A unique cooperative effort announced today by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and the Ashtabula County commissioners could soon lead to development of a full-service resort lodge and conference center at Geneva State Park, located on Lake Erie in western Ashtabula County.
ODNR Director Sam Speck and the Ashtabula County commissioners signed a memorandum of understanding to facilitate the commissioners' plan to develop a lodge on land to be leased from ODNR at the state park. It would be Ohio's ninth state park lodge and the first to be developed and owned by an entity other than ODNR. The commissioners will seek a private hospitality firm to operate the lodge under contract.
This partnership - the first of its kind in Ohio - brings together state, county and private interests in an innovative fashion designed to spur new economic development and increased tourism for Ashtabula County and all of northeast Ohio, Speck said.
Ashtabula County Commissioner Bob Boggs said, "We would not be at this point - so close to making the dream of a Geneva State Park Lodge a reality - without the help of ODNR, Director Speck and Ohio State Parks Chief Dan West. We cannot thank them enough for their support and enthusiasm."
Joining Boggs for the signing were commissioners Duane Feher and Deborah Newcomb.
The memorandum of understanding is the result of years of study and analysis by both ODNR and Ashtabula County regarding the feasibility of building and operating a lodge at the park. Under the agreement, the county will assume responsibility for constructing, maintaining and operating the new facility on parkland leased from the state. A formal land-lease agreement will precede any construction.
Ashtabula County has agreed to build the new lodge according to ODNR standards, with agency officials providing input at each phase of the planning and construction process.
ODNR will also help the county obtain private and public funding to underwrite project costs and will market the new facility as part of the Ohio State Parks system.
Commissioners said they will contract with a private hospitality management firm to handle day-to-day operations at the lodge once it is built, similar to management arrangements in place at Ohios eight existing state park lodges.
The new Geneva State Park Lodge will offer visitors the high-quality ambiance and amenities they have come to expect from Ohio's premier state park resorts, Speck said. We are confident that Ashtabula County will meet or exceed these standards of excellence in design and customer service.
Ohio's 74 state parks include eight resort lodges, more than 500 rental cottages and 57 campgrounds with more than 9,000 campsites. Full-service resort lodge/conference centers are features of Burr Oak State Park (Morgan County), Shawnee State Park (Scioto County), Punderson State Park (Geauga County), Deer Creek State Park (Pickaway County), Hueston Woods State Park (Preble County), Maumee State Park (Lucas County), Mohican State Park (Ashland County) and Salt Fork State Park (Guernsey County).