Hours: 8 a.m.-Sunset (?), Daily
This 541-acre park was developed in 2005 through a collaboration between the Lorain County Metro Parks and the Village of Wellington and provides opportunities for hiking, biking, strolling, fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. A beautiful Visitor’s Center sits on the bank of the gorgeous, 21-plus-acre lake formed by the Wellington South Reservoir.
HIGHLIGHTS
The Day-Use Area
Perched on the edge of the Wellington South Reservoir, the Wellington Visitor Center provides views of the lake from two levels. The second level is ideal for viewing art shows as well as the landscape and can be accessed by stair or a wheelchair lift. The lower entry level features a large meeting room with windows that overlook the water, an attractive stone fireplace, kitchenette and high ceiling – a perfect location for your group or family function. Call (440) 647-2509 or visit the meeting rooms page of the site to reserve the room.
The Loop Trails
Over 4 miles of paved and crushed stone trails meander through the Wellington Reservation’s grassland fields and wetland habitats. The loop trail system can be used for non-motorized activity and is wheel chair and stroller accessible. Each loop highlights a different section of the park providing visitors with a variety of vistas across the lake, from atop an elevated observation mound, and throughout the intermittent wetlands in the grassland prairies. There are also equestrian trails open for use as well.
Wellington South Resevoir
After a hike on the trail, take a paddle on the water! The 21-plus acre lake formed by the Wellington South Reservoir is ideal for boating and fishing. Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend you can explore the open water and the inlets of the lake on a four-person pontoon paddle boat or kayak available for rental. A valid driver’s license is required and lifejackets are provided. Visitors may bring their own non-gas motorized fishing boat and drop a line or two. 107 million gallons to hold a few Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, and a whole lot of Bluegill. Park closes at sunset – night fishing is not permitted.
HISTORY
The development of Wellington Reservation has been made possible by a cooperative partnership between the Lorain County Metro Parks, the Village of Wellington and governmental funding of wetland mitigation projects. This partnership has enabled the Park District to increase the access of the reservation to the neighboring community, to install a trail system for multiple activity use, maintain recreational opportunities attributed to the reservoir lake, and construct a visitor center for the use and enjoyment of all visitors to the park.
PADDLEBOATS AND KAYAKS
Paddleboats
Explore the Southern Wellington Reservoir with paddleboats offered at Lorain County Metro Parks' Wellington Reservation, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, Thursday through Monday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
Each paddle boat can hold four people and is $5/hour to rent. The paddleboats are available on a first come first serve basis and have a time limit of 1 hour. All passengers on the boats must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket, which is provided.
Kayaks
The kayak livery at the Wellington Reservoir is open Mondays, Thursday, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the summer months (Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in one-hour time blocks. Kayak rentals are first come, first serve and are $15/hour for a single kayak and $25/hour for a tandem kayak. Persons 18 years of age and younger must have an adult participating with them.
The kayak livery is located in the gravel lot south of the visitor’s center (when in season). There is a kayak launch (available to renters and non-renters) located just behind the livery, on the western edge of the gravel parking lot.
Hours
8 a.m.-Sunset, Daily
Contact
*For shelter and room rentals, please contact the administrative offices at (440) 458-5121*