IMedina County Park District

In 2025, Medina County Park District proudly celebrates 60 years of enhancing the quality of all life through education, conservation, and the protection of natural resources. Established on April 19, 1965, the park district has become a beloved community resource, offering residents and visitors access to more than 23 park sites, over 50 trails, and a variety of educational programs that inspire people of all ages to connect with nature. Over the decades, the park district has emerged as a leader in conservation, successfully acquiring and managing 9,000 acres of protected land.

“We are incredibly proud to reach this milestone and are deeply grateful to the residents of Medina County who have supported our mission over the years,” said Medina County Park District Director Nathan Eppink.

“This anniversary is not just a celebration of the past 60 years but a commitment to preserving our natural spaces for generations to come.”

CHIPPEWA LAKE PARK:

As the largest inland natural lake in the State of Ohio, Chippewa Lake is the sparkling blue jewel of Medina County. This 330-acre body of water was formed by natural processes as glaciers receded from the landscape some 14,000 years ago.

It’s easy to see why visitors have been drawn to its shores since the first settlers arrived in the area. The pull of its glassy waters remains strong for anglers, for boaters, and especially for those who need a retreat from the daily grind to be refreshed by the lake breeze and picture-postcard views.

Many who have never heard of Medina County have heard of Chippewa Lake. From 1878 to 1978, it was the site of an amusement park – with rides, a hotel, and a ballroom. Some of the great entertainers of the twentieth century performed there, including bandleaders Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, and Lawrence Welk. Industrial powerhouses like Firestone, Ohio Edison, Timken, and Rubbermaid held company picnics at Chippewa Lake. Famous visitors included Henry Ford and Thomas Edison.

Medina County Park District plans to transform Chippewa Lake and the 93-acre former amusement park property into a regional destination that will, once again, bring people together and create memories.

“We are thrilled that this special place, which is such an important part of the cultural history of Northeast Ohio and treasured in the memories of so many people, will be open for the public to enjoy once again,” Nathan D. Eppink said. “The park district will preserve the remnants of the Ferris wheel and other historical relics that remain on the property, which provide an opportunity for interpretive panels and programs that celebrate the site’s iconic past.”

The master plan includes several phases of improvements that will take place over the next ten years. Amenities include hiking trails, an amphitheater, observation platforms, ADA kayak launch, picnic pavilion, reservable facility for events, and much more.

In addition to its cultural significance, Chippewa Lake and its wetlands are key components of a vast watershed that impacts the quality of life for many adjacent communities. The park district has conducted several H2Ohio-funded stream and wetland restoration projects that help reduce flooding, sedimentation, and pollution from storm water runoff – protecting residential property and enhancing the health of the lake for recreation and wildlife.

Visit medinacountyparks.com and chippewalakeohio.com for additional information.