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What is CLP?
CLP - A Valuable Asset
That Indescribable Feeling
Location, Location, Location
WE the Owners? Who owns CLP?
3.6 Acres of CLP Lakefront Property
Fences, Gates, Admission Fees and Carousel Horses...Oh my!
A Future?
If they can do it, why can't we? If they can do it, so can we!
Historical Timeline
Some CLP Links
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FOR SALE: 3.6 Acres of Lakefront Property
For over a year, H. LeRoy Stearns, custodian of Conneaut Lake Park, has said that he intends to sell 3.3 (now 3.6) acres of lakefront property located in the northern most section of the land inside the park fence. This property consists of the site where the Flynn House (the Flynn Family sold the park in 1992) stood, the Lakeview Picnic Grove, a parking lot, three private cottages, all the boat docks, and the McClure farmhouse that dates back to the 1850s.
What came first - the Lake or the Park?
Building CLP on the edge of Pennsylvania's largest natural lake was no coincidence. The founders knew the importance of Conneaut Lake and its crystal clear waters. They knew people from the industrial centers of Pittsburgh needed a place to escape and get away from the smog-filled air that hovered over the city during the industrial revolution and continuing industrial era. The importance of the lake has not diminished.
A little history:
In its history, the acerage in question has been utilized for both commercial and residential purposes. On the northernmost part, stood the original bath house and its infamous toboggan slide where guests rode little wooden cars down into the lake. At other points in its history, this property was home to the Elephant Cottage - rooming house, miscellaneous private cottages that rented rooms, the Elmwood Hotel - demolished in 1967, and the oldest building on the property - the McClure farmhouse. At various times in history, the old farmhouse was utilized as an inn or hotel, and most recently, dormitories. It has also been known as the Mantor House and Lakeside.
Today:
Today, this property, which holds one of the region's only lakefront parking lots, is an extremely valuable asset. It encompasses approximately one third (1/3) of Conneaut Lake Park's lakefront. When it was announced that this property was going to be sold, the view points of the community seemed to split into three different sides: those in support of the sale, those against it, and those who couldn't care less either way.
To complicate matters:
Originally, it was stated by the custodian that the sale of this property would eliminate CLP's debt (nearly $2.7 million) and provide a cushion to open and resume operations in 2007. While many community members and CLP enthusiasts alike did not like the sale of the property (or assets in general) many were for the sale if it meant getting CLP open and reducing the debt. Many were afraid that if CLP did not open in 2007 it could be the "final nail in the coffin" for our park and would unarguably devastate the local economy. In his report titled "The Little Park that Could" after visiting CLP during his walk of Route 6 Joe Hurley described CLP as the "largest duck on the pond" that brought visitors to the area to support the other businesses.
To further complicate matters:
In December it was announced that although there were over 28 interested parties, no bids were placed on the property. On March 15, a sales agreement was reached between CLP and developer Gregory Sutterlin. While the debt was reportedly $2.7 million, the land was appraised at $1.083 million and the offer from Gregory Sutterlin was $1.7 million. On April 23, Judge Anthony Vardaro rejected the sale of the property.
Why was the sale rejected by Judge Anthony Vardaro?
To find out, CLICK HERE and learn why!
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