Kopf Family Reservation

32649 Electric Boulevard, Avon Lake, OH 44012

Kopf Family Reservation opened in 2008 and boasts more than 3 miles of maintained trails that wind through streamside woodlands. A partnership between the Lorain County Metro Parks, the City of Avon Lake, Avon Lake School District and Avon Lake Public Library, this neighborhood gateway park offers visitors year-round opportunities for recreation.

HIGHLIGHTS

Woodlands, Wildlife & Water

The Kopf Family Reservation consists of approximately 170 acres of oak-hickory woodlands accompanied by maple, elm, ash, cherry, sassafras, and willow. Daily visits by white-tailed deer and fox squirrel make for great wildlife viewing year-round.

With close proximity to Lake Erie, the park’s streamside woodlands provide an important stopover for migrating species and a perfect nesting site for area raptors. Gable and Heider Creeks provide essential resources for wildlife.

Forest Trails

Over two miles of asphalt trails wind through the forest from the main trailhead at Avon Lake Public Library southward to Sunset and Belle Road Parks, including a southern loop for redirecting back to the north. An additional mile of crushed limestone trail extends the trail system eastward along Gable Creek.

Belle Road Park

Centrally located and adjacent to the restroom facilities at the southern terminus of Armour Trail, Belle Road Park’s amenities include a playground, water fountain, picnic tables, and grills.

HISTORY

Located between the northern most beach ridge (North Ridge) and the present Lake Erie shore line, the Kopf Family Reservation sits on a geographic region called the Lake Plain. Once covered by Lake Warren, the newly exposed land converted to a magnificent forest of oak and hickory, sustaining indigenous peoples for several thousand years prior to the 19th century. Though poorly drained, this land sustained a wealth of wildlife, including black bears, wolves, and elk.

As settlers moved into the area, the land was cleared for early agricultural use as vineyards for local wineries. By the mid-1900’s, the land divided into small cottage lots. Though development plans were made for the South Loop construction was limited to roads, bridges, and sidewalks as part of a depression-era program. Delayed for a while, developmental pressure eventually re-emerged. In 2003, a group of concerned citizens formed the ‘Save the Woods Committee’ to protect this natural gem from further development. The Lorain County Metro Parks and the City of Avon Lake entered a partnership opening the park in November 2008.