The Hinckley Lake Boathouse - Its Final Weekend

Today I was, at last, able to return to the Hinckley Lake Boathouse to read letters posted explaining closure of the charming little business that operated there. I’d not been able to find anything through searches of local news media to even tell me that the Boathouse was closing much less explain it. Posted on the building was a personal letter from owners Gary and Sharon Hack. They noted the closure wasn’t their idea and that their small business wasn’t the only licensed operation in the Cleveland Metroparks System to be shuttered. Apparently the owners were told “thanks, but we don’t need you anymore.” Here’s the text of their letter dated October 8:

Stapled to the outside wall of the Hinckley Lake Boathouse is a farewell letter.

To our MANY Friends and Guests, here at The Boathouse…

It has been 24 hours since the Metroparks notified us that concessionaires, like us, will no longer be needed, and the park will take over operation of this facility.

I use the word “facility”, as whatever it becomes, to all of us, it will not be the gathering place it has been, for many years.

There are not words to describe how much your friendship and very presence has meant to Sharon and me. Small, personal places like this has been, are becoming a thing of the past, being replaced by “bottom line” corporations, or in this case, government.

…But you know all of this, and lamenting the passing parade is not my point. I guess I am rambling, because I, (We) don’t want to say goodbye….

From all of us at The Boathouse, or {sic} most sincere Thanks, AND BEST WISHES.

Very Sincerely,
Gary and Sharon Hack

It seems Cleveland Metroparks will take over operation of any concessions that are to continue within the parks. That means that, instead of simply licensing outside businesses and collecting fees, the System will now need to increase their own staffing at all levels (management of retail operations, management of facilities, staffing of facilities) if they are to continue offering valuable retail services to the public. They will also need to develop or hire expertise in all of the areas involved if quality of service is to be maintained. It will be interesting to see how well Cleveland Metroparks does in their new venture including what facilities and services they will continue to offer and what they drop. In all of that, we’re sorry to see the small business people summarily ejected and we thank them for making our visits to the parks, over the years, just a little bit nicer.