New Pathway Segment Opens as Regional Coalition Launches Vision for 100+ Mile Sandusky Bay Pathway
Regional leaders gathered Thursday, July 9, 2026 to celebrate the opening of the newest section of the Sandusky Bay Pathway in the city of Sandusky, while also officially launching the Sandusky Bay Pathway Coalition, a partnership working to create a continuous, 100-plus-mile shared-use pathway network connecting communities along the Sandusky Bay and Lake Erie shoreline.
The newly completed pathway segment extends from Cedar Point Drive to Hemminger Ditch, just west of the future Landing park, which is scheduled to open in spring 2027. A centerpiece of the project is a new bridge spanning Pipe Creek, located behind Cedar Point’s Castaway Bay resort, creating a connection for pedestrians and cyclists while also serving as one of the pathway’s most iconic landmarks.
This work was funded through the 2022 U.S. Department of Transportation RAISE Grant awarded for the U.S. Route 6 Connectivity Corridor Project, with the support of Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, and former Senators Portman and Brown. In addition to the City of Sandusky’s work, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) will construct a new multi-use trail extending east from The Landing park to Rye Beach Road in Huron, also funded through the RAISE Grant. Together, these coordinated investments will allow for continuous trail access from downtown Sandusky to Huron, significantly advancing regional connectivity along the Lake Erie shoreline.
Officials cut the ribbon for the Sandusky Bay Pathway over Pipe Creek | July 9, 2026
The Sandusky Bay Pathway Coalition, a regional partnership of local governments, planning agencies, park districts, nonprofit organizations, tourism partners, and community stakeholders, recognizes the completion of the Pipe Creek Bridge and the opening of this pathway segment as an important milestone in the long-term vision for the Sandusky Bay Pathway.
The Sandusky Bay Pathway was first envisioned by the City of Sandusky in 2006 as a way to better connect downtown, neighborhoods, parks and the waterfront with a safe, accessible trail network. While portions of the route were completed over the following decade, the vision gained new momentum in 2017 when the City updated its plans and began pursuing funding to build the pathway piece by piece.
Since then, the City has completed pathway segments along Shoreline Drive, Venice Road, Meigs Street and East Water Street. The Hemminger Ditch to Cedar Point Drive segment is the latest addition, with another section between Mills Street and Lions Park already funded for construction in 2027.
“This project has been years in the making. Every section we’ve completed has brought us closer to the vision first outlined nearly two decades ago,” said City Manager John Orzech. “Today’s ribbon cutting is another major step toward creating a pathway that connects our neighborhoods, waterfront, parks and regional destinations while improving quality of life for residents and visitors alike.”
The project also required cooperation from multiple property owners, including Cedar Point, whose partnership made the connection possible.
“The progress being made through the City of Sandusky’s pathway project demonstrates how strategic infrastructure investments can deliver both local and regional benefits,” said Jeff Kerr, a representative of the Sandusky Bay Pathway Coalition and Director of Planning and Policy for Greater Sandusky Partnership. “This segment not only improves access to Sandusky’s waterfront today but also helps lay the foundation for a connected coastal trail system that will serve communities across the region.”
While portions of the Sandusky Bay Pathway are already built or under construction, additional segments remain in planning and design phases. The Coalition was convened by Greater Sandusky Partnership to help coordinate across jurisdictions, align funding and planning efforts, support consistent communication, and advocate for the completion of a cohesive regional trail system.
Learn more about the regional vision and follow future progress at SanduskyBayPathway.com.
