Mentor has over 1,200 acres of parkland across 15 parks offering our residents an opportunity to experience everything from skating to flyfishing. There is always something to do in Mentor!
Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve and Marina
The 450-acre lakefront property is one of Mentor’s natural gems!
The 230-acre nature preserve includes 1-1/2 miles of shoreline with rare dune plants, a riverine marsh and mature oak bluff. Located on the western boundary of the 691-acre Mentor Marsh State Nature Preserve, the preserve contains the greatest diversity of wetland communities within the marsh basin, and serves as an important breeding and nursery area for fish and waterfowl and an extremely popular resting place for neo-tropical birds and butterflies as they migrate each year.
The preserve is a part of the Lake Erie Birding Trail. Mentor Natural Resources specialists host a number of programs all-year round including an important banding program which helps track migrating species.
A new ADA accessible boardwalk and observation deck was recently completed near the parking area and offer magnificent views of the marsh. An 80-foot tower is currently being designed with construction anticipated in 2024.
On the marina side, visitors can rent kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, and pedal boats. Construction of a new concession building will begin fall 2023.
Visit mentorlagoons.com for more information.
Springbrook Gardens
The 52-acre Springbrook Gardens park has undergone many changes since the city purchased the property in 2015. What was once a flat sandy plot has been transformed with moundings and native plantings, restored wetlands areas to attract native species, winding paved trails, a boardwalk, and a new playground.
The most recent addition is the completion of the Springbrook Gardenhouse. This 4,400 SF facility 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 facility is available for rental.
Two additional picnic pavilions will be added later this year.
- Springbrook Gardenhouse
- New Playground
- Wetland restoration / species attraction
- Picnic pavilions
Civic Center Park
Multiple improvements have been made to Civic Center Park over the past several years including the addition of an all-inclusive playground and outdoor exercise stations. Civic Center pool also features a climbing wall as well as a fun-and-challenging obstacle course.
To discover all of the different ways to play in Mentor, visit cityofmentor.com/parks.
Originally published in Mentor City Magazine – June 2023.