The focus of the Parks, Recreation & Public Facilities Department is to enhance the quality of life for the residents of Mentor. One of the ways the department achieves this goal is through the development and maintenance of a diverse and comprehensive system of parks.
With more than 1,200 acres of park land, Mentor offers everything from pools and water sprayparks, to playgrounds and award-winning ball fields, to the 450-acre Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve.
Through a unique collaboration, the Public Works Department is charged with the responsibility of maintaining all park land including ball fields, trees, paved surfaces and refuse collection, while the Parks, Recreation & Public Facilities Department provides programming and services within the parks.
8600 Munson Road, Mentor, OH 44060 (Map)
Civic Center Park, adjacent to the Mentor Municipal Center and the Mentor High School campus, is one of Mentor’s largest parks.
Civic Center Waterpark
Our largest aquatics facility, which includes an olympic-size outdoor swimming pool, children’s water play area, sand volleyball, and more.
Mentor Civic Arena
The Mentor Ice Arena features two indoor regulation-size ice rinks, a studio ice rink, pro-shop & concessions. Upstairs, you’ll find the Mentor Community Center – this newly remodeled facility is barrier-free and air conditioned with three rooms which may be rented together or independently based on your needs.
Civic Center Skatepark
Designed to integrate the environment, shade canopy and the natural embankment of the terrain to create two distinct skating areas. The 5,400 sq. foot upper level is designed for beginners, while the 4,600 sq. foot lower level includes features more appropriate for intermediate skateboarders/inline skaters. The two levels are connected by a 700-sq. ft. ramp.
The 10,700-sq ft. park has 12 cement features including rails, blocks, curbs, edges and platforms – all designs which entertain and challenge skaters. The skatepark is open during daylight hours.
Other Amenities
Civic Center Park also includes picnic grounds and shelter, large playground area, an Amphitheater, baseball/softball fields, 15 lighted pickleball courts, basketball courts and paved bike path.
Events
Civic Center Park is home to many special events including July 4th Fireworks, Mentor Rocks, Mentor Cruise-In, Mentor CityFest, Madness in Mentor Skills Pickleball Tournament and more. Civic Center Park is also home to many of the Recreation Department’s day camps.
8537 Mentor Avenue, Mentor, OH 44060 (Map)
Beautifully landscaped serene garden features a Walkway of Memories with an engraved brick path.
If you would like to honor someone with a commemorative brick in the Walkway of Memories, download this application and complete.
Call the Recreation Department at (440) 974-5720 for more information.
7556 Chillicothe Road, Mentor, OH 44060 (Map)
This 30-acre park features four soccer fields, indoor and outdoor seating, barrier-free restrooms, small pavilion, and acres of open, green space.
7221 Bellflower Road, Mentor, OH 44060 (Map)
Edward R. Walsh Park (formerly known as Bellflower Park) is a true community park located within walking distance of schools, neighborhoods and other parks.
It includes a picnic pavilion, playground, baseball/softball field, restrooms, soccer, fishing pond with barrier-free dock, five tennis courts, two basketball courts, water spraypark, and 1-1/2 mile paved walkway.
The picnic pavilion is available for rental. It seats up to 120 people and includes charcoal grills, lights and electric. Reserve the pavilion by calling (440) 974-5720.
7967 Mentor Avenue, Mentor, OH 44060 (Map)
This 65-acre park is located right in the heart of Mentor. As one of our largest parks, Garfield Park includes a Community Recreation Center with barrier-free restrooms, an All People’s Playground, baseball/softball diamonds, basketball court, picnic pavilion, five-acre fishing pond, soccer fields, lighted tennis courts, and wildlife area. Learn more.
7779 Lake Shore Boulevard, Mentor-on-the-Lake, OH 44060 (Map)
Mentor Beach Park is a scenic, 13-acre park overlooking Lake Erie. While situated in Mentor-on-the-Lake, the City of Mentor owns and maintains the park that includes a two-story, lake front pavilion with barrier-free restrooms, a picnic grove, a playground and soccer field. Learn more.
6647 Hopkins Road, Mentor, OH 44060 (Map)
The Dog Park is a great place for dogs to come and play off leash. A small dog area and a large dog area allow unlimited play with dogs the same size.
Doggie water fountain, park benches, and a safe, fenced in entry/exit area make this park a pleasurable place to visit with other dog owners and provide your dog with exercise and socialization. A small dog area is included.
Park Rules
- Dog Park closes at dusk
- All dogs must have up-to-date vaccinations and must be licensed
- Aggressive dogs or dogs in heat are not permitted
- Keep pet leashed when not in exercise area.
- Always watch your dog – react immediately – control your dog.
- Dog owners are responsible for any accident or injury inflicted by their pet.
- Do not allow your dog to harass other dogs or persons.
- No kits, balls, stick throwing, or frisbees
- For their safety, children must be accompanied by an adult. No running or screaming as it may alarm a dog.
- Protect your dog and others from disease. “Scoop the Poop” – Please clean up after your dog.
- Area is to used for dog exercise only. Please refrain from bringing rawhide chews and toys.
- If Dog Park is crowded, please limit your stay and visit again.
- Enjoy your dog’s freedom while off leash!
8365 Harbor Drive, Mentor, OH 44060 (Map)
This beautiful nature preserve is located in Mentor, right on the shores of Lake Erie. The 450-acre Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve & Marina includes one and one half miles of shoreline with rare dune plants, a riverine marsh, mature oak bluff and crescent-shaped open waterways. Over three miles of hiking and biking trails encircle the Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve providing four distinctly different vistas a view of the marina, Mentor Marsh, upland forest and Lake Erie shoreline. Learn more about the Nature Preserve or about Boating Opportunities.
9325 Rosemary Lane, Mentor, OH 44060 (Map)
This park is home to Morton Pool & Spraypark, and also includes, restrooms, picnic pavilion, playground and basketball courts.
Morton Park is adjacent to the Mentor Marsh Nature Preserve, providing walking trails, scenic lookouts and an abundance of wildlife.
Morton Pool and the picnic pavilion are both available for rental. Call (440) 974-5720 for more information.
7670 Buchanan Court, Mentor, OH 44060 (Map)
Presidents Park is in the heart of the Ohio Street development. This beautiful neighborhood park has a picnic pavilion, small playground, one basketball court, one tennis court and open green space.
On-street parking is available adjacent to the park.
6776 Heisley Road, Mentor, OH 44060 (Map)
The 53-acre Springbrook Gardens property was purchased by the city in 2015 for $2.5 million to preserve the space and create a predominantly passive-use park. Since then, an additional $9.1 million has been invested including extensive regrading and soil enrichment of the entire property, channel stream restoration, native plantings, pond expansion, construction of a boardwalk and 1.7 miles of paved multi-use trails, a playground, and the new Springbrook Gardenhouse.
The 4,400 SF Springbrook Gardenhouse features a main hall that is punctuated with dramatic timber trusses and a dominant fireplace faced with stone reclaimed from the former Sawyer House. Operable glass sectional panels on three sides of the hall allow access to the outdoor seating area. The building also features a warming kitchen as well as interior and exterior restrooms. The Springbrook Gardenhouse will be available for rentals beginning June 1, 2023.
Future improvements at the park include the addition of two open-air pavilions later this year.
Located near the corner of Corduroy Road and Jordan Drive, Tiefenbach offers a variety of ramps and ramps and rails for skaters and bikers.
8500 Civic Center Boulevard, Mentor, OH 44060 (Map)
The Veterans Memorial stands at the entrance to the Civic Center Campus at Civic Center Boulevard and Center Street. It was created as a tribute to the men and women, past and present, who have served to protect the freedoms we enjoy. The memorial was designed and built by city employees with the generous support of Mentor VFW Post 9295. It was dedicated on September 24, 2006.
The VFW donated the flag poles and flags that represent the five branches of the Armed Forces, along with a 30 foot tall flag pole for the American Flag and POW Flag. Five concrete benches face a curved brick wall that rises up from a circular concrete base representing the circle of life.
It is a site for reflection and remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice. To help remember your loved one, you can purchase an engraved brick that will be placed in the Memorial Walkway surrounding the monument. Download and complete the Brick Order Form and submit it with payment to the City of Mentor.
5730 Hopkins Road, Mentor, OH 44060 (Map)
Veterans Park protects the largest inland pond in the county and a remnant of original Ohio swamp forest.
The park offers four accessible fishing piers, a 1.78-mile loop trail though native wetlands with 830 feet of boardwalk, and a wetland/wildlife viewing area. The property was purchased from the Granger family by the City of Mentor in 1970 and was Mentor’s first neighborhood park. It is currently managed by Lake Metroparks. Learn more.
7645 Little Mountain Road. (Map)
Encompassing 34 acres, Wildwood Cultural Center and Park features not only a 25-room English Tudor Manor House, but also walking trails and passive recreation areas. Amenities include wooded hiking trails, barrier-free restrooms, picnic areas, benches and gardens. Visitors are welcome!
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