LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- The search for parking at the popular Lakewood Park will soon be less adventurous.

The Lakewood Park parking lot enhancement project, which is in the 2020 budget and is part of the city’s five-year capital plan, includes the addition of an estimated 45 parking spots.

Lakewood Public Works Director Roman Ducu said that because the city was already planning to make base repairs, as well as patching, sealcoating and re-striping two lots -- in front of the women’s club and by the pool house -- it was an opportune time to address the parking issue at the park.

“The additional spots are tied to just reconfiguring and removing some concrete barriers, as well as reconfiguring (existing) handicap spots so we’re obviously compliant,” Ducu said. “The resealing is going out to bid now, and will probably be well under budget.

“The engineer estimate to do both lots is in the neighborhood of $55,000. We need to have this done by May 15 to try to beat the pool opening.”

The one caveat regarding the actual project completion is that resealing needs a 50-degree ambient temperature to stick.

“We’re talking about doing it in two phases so you don’t close the park down completely,” Ducu said. “We’ll talk to the contractor. This bid is part of resealing the Winterhurst parking lot, where we’re also doing re-striping in-house.”

Mayor Meghan George is excited about the project.

“With the enhancements over the past few years, it was necessary to look at reconfiguring the parking plan to get as many spaces as possible without additional encroachment on the park itself,” said George, who touted the use of public works employees to reduce the project cost.

“Additionally, my administration has given the directive to reduce spending whenever possible, as we have allocated many of our reserve funds to other projects throughout the city, such as Cove Church.”

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