Portage Park District is preparing its newest park, Trail Lake, for grand opening
Trail Lake Park, situated in Streetsboro on the border of Franklin Township, is set to open the morning of Nov. 6. The 222-acre park is the latest addition to the Portage Park District, which began acquiring land for the park in 2017.
The park features nearly two miles of paved trails and just over a mile of natural surface trails. As the name suggests, there is a 30-acre lake where visitors can fish (if they have a fishing license) and boat in non-motorized vessels.
Its opening comes as coronavirus cases in the county continue to rise and Portage County officials continue to urge residents to keep social distance and wear masks.
“This is a gift we can give the community that’s relatively safe,” said Andrea Metzler, public engagement manager for the Portage Park District. “To be able to exercise and get fresh air is something that’s really needed right now.”
Trail Lake is part of a growing effort to increase the accessibility of public parks and lands to differently abled individuals. While motor vehicles are prohibited in the park, mobility assistance devices, such as scooters, are allowed. The park’s paved trail leads to an accessible fishing pier and kayak launch.
Trail Lake is one of the first parks in the area to have an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant kayak launch, Metzler said.
Approximately $3.8 million went into the park, the vast majority of which went toward land acquisition. Grants and donations, which included land sold at a reduced value, accounted for 60 percent of the total cost, with the other 40 percent covered by Park District levy funds.
The park borders the 140-acre Herrick Fen State Nature Preserve, which provides a protected habitat for over two dozen species of native conifer trees. Bordering this preserve means Trail Lake is home to many indigenous animal and plant species, many of which are common sights above and along the park trails. Bald eagles frequent the area, many of which nest in the surrounding parks and preserves.
“This park is going to become a fan favorite because it has so much diversity — so many things to do and see all in one location,” said Metzler. “It rounds out the Portage Parks family quite nicely.”
Following a small closed ribbon cutting ceremony on Nov. 6, there will be an open house featuring park staff, foundation members and volunteers. Park officials will provide information about the park, maps of the new trails and information on the Park District.
Anyone can register to attend the open house events and are encouraged to register for the event at portageparkdistrict.org and are required to wear masks and abide by social distancing guidelines.
Subsequent opening houses will be held throughout the weekend and are listed below.
Portage Park District Open Houses at Trail Lake Park:
Friday, Nov. 6, 9:30–10:30a.m.
Saturday, Nov. 7, 11:30 a.m. — 5 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 8, 1–5 p.m.
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