Lakeshore Reservation in Lake County, Ohio Is Ready for You

Lakeshore Reservation is a Lake County Gem

Updated on July 10, 2023.

Hiking became the predominant activity in our pandemic life and this habit has stuck.

Though we live in a community that accesses some of the most beautiful and spectacular park scenery anywhere, we still find it satisfying to explore other parks and recreation areas within an hour’s drive.

That’s how we found Lakeshore Reservation in Lake County, Ohio.

Getting To Lakeshore Reservation

The park is located, as its name implies, on the shores of Lake Erie.

From Cleveland, take Route 2 or I-90 East toward Painesville. The highway ends at Route 20. Continue east on Route 20 to Antioch Road (about 7 miles).  Turn left onto Antioch Road and continue to the end. 

You will find yourself at the entrance to Lakeshore Reservation.

If you are craving a treat after your stroll, stop in to visit Miss Candy whose shop is just a few miles east.

Easy Walking

One of the draws to this Metropark is its paved paths. Taking a hike is pleasant here, rain or shine. Though bicycles are permitted, you will find it’s popular for people in the mood to walk.

Monkey flower Mimulus guttatus

That’s probably due to the fact that the land is mostly flat and the entire loop trail plus “sculpture segway” is only about 1.5 miles.

a yellow monkey flower

It’s a perfect trail for pushing a stroller or guiding a tricycle, too. So, this park attracts a wide variety of people.

Do Your Stairs

If you want to make a workout, adding stairs and excursions on connecting trails and unpaved paths revs up your heart-rate and adds some distance. 

You’ll feel you’ve exercised your body and spirit when you leave this place.

A long set of stairs provides great exercise.
A small set of stairs leads down to the boathouse.
Stairs to the beach

Sculptures

Another reason we love our walks here is because we get a little bit of art appreciation along with a reasonable amount of exercise.

The pathway leads to the sculpture garden

This park has a sculpture garden located on a connector trail on the All Peoples Loop Trail. 

Here the predominant sculpture is a giant sundial dedicated to Luanna Strock, wife of the park system’s first naturalist Don Strock. The memorial was designed by nationally-known sculptor Carl Floyd of Madison, Ohio.

A large-scale sundial is featured in the sculpture garden.
A concave seat is carved in stone.
Sculptures look like puzzle pieces
a sculpted seat welcomes you to hear the sounds of the water.
More sculptures in the garden enhance the beauty of the park.
An abstract squirrel stone sculpture.

Lunch, Anyone?

This park has two picnic shelters and a few other picnic tables near the walking paths. The shelters can be reserved, and you can also reserve a scenic and convenient lakefront campsite.

One of the picnic shelters in the park.

Currently, beach accesses are closed due to erosion problems.  Otherwise, the beach would be another option for a lunchtime break.

a beachfront on the property before erosion forced its closure.

History

Lakeshore Reservation was once a neighborhood of several private residences encompassing 84 acres of lakefront property.  

As you walk, you may see some remnants of landscaping and hardscaping installed by former residents.

a stone bench is nestled in the woods.
A structure on the beach appears to be an old boat house or maybe a canal on the property.

Luckily, one of the largest properties was owned by a local arborist named Charles Irish.  His many plantings include non-native ornamental trees and shrubs growing among fields and woods filled with native plant species.

A vivid pink wildflower looks like a wild rose.
Bright yellow coreopsis flowers
Korean dogwood tree is loaded with blooms.
Pink honeysuckle blooms
wild morning glory is pink and white
phlox blossoms are a light shell pink

A Park for All Seasons

There’s a lot to catch your eye here, no matter the season. If you’re in the mood for something new, check out Lake County, Ohio’s Lakeshore Reservation.  

Icicles drape a broken branch next to the lake.
Stairs in the autumn
a winding path leads to the lakeside
Looking at Lake Erie over the treetops

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Author: A. JoAnn

Here is where I share the beauty I find in everyday life; and the humor, too!