After a cold and dreary Winter, one of the best places in northeast Ohio to celebrate the arrival of Spring is at the Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve.
Encompassing a total of 450 acres, the property, which includes the adjacent Mentor Lagoons Marina, was purchased 25 years ago by the City of Mentor in order to save it from a proposed private development.
The Nature Preserve includes one and a half miles of Lake Erie shoreline, and over three miles of hiking trails. These trails, which vary in terrain, encircle the preserve and provide an excellent view of the Spring blossoms that will begin to emerge with the warming temperatures.
Signs are posted throughout the Nature Preserve to guide visitors throughout the park and trail maps are also available at the Marina office, the trail head, and online at cityofmentor.com.
Springtime is a great time to explore all the different land and water habitats that the Nature Preserve has to offer. From the many trails, guests can view the shores of Lake Erie, rare and endangered dune plants, one of the last riverine marshes in the area and also the largest mature oak bluff in Northeast Ohio.
All of these diverse areas offer many opportunities for viewing all kinds of sprouting and flowering plants as well as encountering wildlife, especially waterfowl and other birds. In fact, the Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve has been named an Important Bird Area (IBA). Over 260 species of birds have been recorded, making the Preserve one of top birding locations in the region.
The warming weather of Spring also sets the stage for the return of migratory birds to the area, making bird-watching a popular activity throughout April and May.
One of the newest ways to experience the park will be with the soon-to-be completed Mentor Lagoons Boardwalk.
This ADA-accessible, 442-foot boardwalk will be connected to the main trail head and will lead to a 25-foot-wide observation deck. This new construction, funded in part from a grant received from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), provides enhanced access for residents and guests to be able to appreciate the unique natural environment that we have right here in Mentor.
The parking area has also been expanded and reconfigured to accommodate additional visitors.
Another great way to experience all the wonderful features that the Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve has to offer is from the water.
Canoes, kayaks, and paddle boards can be rented by the hour and rentals run from May to September.
The Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve is located at 8365 Harbor Drive and is open from dawn to dusk. Various guided nature walks are available each Spring from the City’s Natural Resource Department.