The city of Oregon wants to make Lake Erie more accessible to people in the city “on the bay.”

While the city has a place to launch boats into Lake Erie, off Bay Shore Road just west of Wynn Road, it isn’t very convenient.

“It’s a boat launch by name only,” City Administrator Michael Beazley said. “Basically you can get kayaks out of it, that’s it.”

Mr. Beazley said Oregon’s mayor and city council want to create better access to the lake. He also said a new boat launch would improve public safety by making it easier for fire and rescue crews to get boats onto the lake.

Last week the city council agreed to pay $23,000 for Hull and Associates Inc. to prepare engineering designs for a public boat launch on the Lake Erie waterfront.

The council approved another $21,500 for the company to design other waterfront resources and look for funding partners to create a more inviting lakefront area.

This could include creating a fishing pier, gazebo, or picnic area, Mr. Beazley said.

Oregon’s current boat launch is difficult to use because the water gets very low at times along that part of the shore. Fire Chief Paul Mullen said sometimes firefighters have to get in the water when launching a boat, which is difficult. He said firefighters sometimes use a private launch off Bay Shore Drive, which is easier.

“It would be beneficial to us and the community,” Mr. Mullen said.

The fire department performed four water rescues this year. Fall is the hardest time of year to use the current boat launch, Mr. Mullen said.

Mr. Beazley said Hull and Associates will consider several possible new boat launch locations, including a spot west of the current site.

Contact Matt Thompson at: mthompson@theblade.com, 419-356-8786, or on Twitter at @mthompson25.

First Published September 21, 2015, 4:00 a.m.