The Mentor Lagoons Marina and Nature Preserve is the crown jewel of Mentor’s 1,200 acre parks system. With over 200,000 visitors each year, it’s among the most popular of our parks serving boaters, hikers, bikers, and nature enthusiasts from across the region.
The property has had an interesting past and has nearly been developed several times. Fortunately, fate has shown favor and resulted in its current public use. It has been nearly 30-years since Mentor voters approved action to purchase the property through eminent domain – a first in the state of Ohio. Since then, numerous improvements have been made to protect and preserve the city’s investment.
The Marina is home to over 500 seasonal boaters. The docks were originally built in the 1920s when the property was to become the “Venice of the North”. Six years ago, the city initiated a program which will replace approximately 600-feet of the century-old structure annually. With over 21,000 feet of bulkhead, the project is expected to take approximately 30 more years to complete.
Over the past decade, historically high water levels have taken their toll on our shoreline as well. Last year alone, over 40 feet were lost along some portions of the shore including much of the beach as well as several sets of stairs.
Over the past decade, over 1,200 linear feet of revetment have been installed to protect the marina harbor. Today, the city is engaged with a nationally renown consulting firm to develop a shoreline master plan for the entirety of the property. Efforts are also being made to secure federal funding to help pay for the project.
Thanks to the work of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and other partners, biodiversity has bounced back in a big way at the Mentor Marsh. The result has been ever-increasing numbers of birding enthusiasts who flock to the marsh edge during the spring and fall migrations.
In 2023, an ADA accessible boardwalk and viewing platform was installed at the marsh edge to enhance the experience for all. Plans are underway for the construction of a 95-foot tall observation tower as well.
And, that’s not all; a brand-new building is currently under construction and should be ready by spring for concessions, outdoor seating at the water’s edge, as well as kayak, canoe, paddle board, and pedal boat rental.
The investment made by the city three decades ago has certainly paid off. Now, we aim to continue to protect and improve the property so that generations of residents and their guests can continue to enjoy the natural splendor of our shoreline.