Lake Medina

Lake Medina

Medina, Ohio 44256

Official Website
Lake Medina map

About this Location

The Medina County Park District secured a lease agreement with the city of Medina to turn the lake into a county park. Lake Medina is a hidden oasis nestled between OH-18 to the south and Granger Road to the north, just west of I-71.

In the early 1960s, the city of Medina was looking for a way to supplement its water supply. A decision to create an upland reservoir was made and the development of Lake Medina began. Through the creation of a long earthen levy, the valley adjoining the west branch of the Rocky River was flooded with water pumped from the river. Three large-capacity pumps located in the concrete pump house on the northern side of the lake were used daily as the city pumped water into the lake and took out water to be used for the city water supply. Due to increasing demands for water as the city grew, an alternate water supply from Lake Erie was developed and the lake was no longer used as a water supply after June of 2002.

The 1.63-mile Lake Medina Trail is an asphalt path that follows the willows and sycamores along the West Branch of the Rocky River and connects to the city of Medina’s paved trail along Reagan Parkway. The 10-foot-wide trail runs along the bottom of the reservoir’s dam, crosses the river channel twice with bridges and boardwalks, and provides a safe crossing of OH-3 and Reagan Parkway, utilizing crosswalks and a pedestrian signalization system.

Notable Trails

Lake Medina Trails
Park in the Lake Medina parking lot located on OH-18 west of I-71.

There are two parallel trails at Lake Medina, each 1.2 miles, 2.4 miles round trip. The Upper Trail is on the top of the dike that impounds the lake. From the parking lot follow the trail to the dike and walk up the stairs to the top. The Upper Trail provides views of waterfowl on the lake. Follow the dike and turn right at the end of the lake, continuing on the dike. And the end of the dike, take the inclined trail down to the Lower Trail. The Lower Trail is better for passerine birds, both in summer and winter. This trail passes between the lake and the West Branch of the Rocky River. In the winter, when the lake is frozen, it may be preferable to take the Lower Trail out and back.

The entrance to Lake Medina is located on OH-18. There is a parking lot off OH-18 and another lot on Granger Road.

Buckeye Trail passes Medina Lake using the trails described above.

The AllTrails website has a description and map of a hike at Lake Medina.

Features

  • Restrooms on site

  • Entrance fee

  • Roadside viewing

Content from Official Website