Portage Lakes Visitor Center opens to the public
NEW FRANKLIN — As representatives from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) unveiled the new 6,000-square-foot Portage Lakes Visitor Center in Portage Lakes State Park in front of hundreds of spectators Oct. 10, New Franklin Mayor Paul Adamson had a decidedly nostalgic take on the celebration.
“I grew up out here at the Lakes,” he said. “I saw this beach when it opened in the ’50s. [For years] when you pulled up here you saw a parking lot, a hill and a beach. Now we can say we have a state park. This is the ideal location.”
The mayor commended the local, state and federal partnership that led to the visitor center, particularly the work of U.S Rep. Emilia Sykes (D-District 13) in securing nearly $1 million to fund sewer and water projects in the city, including extending sewer and water to the visitor center and increasing the project budget from $4 million to $6 million.
“It took that level of cooperation,” Adamson said.
Nearly three years in the planning stages, ground was broken on the visitor center Sept. 10, 2024. ODNR officials said the center will serve as a welcoming gateway for the thousands of local and out-of-town annual visitors to Portage Lakes State Park, offering interactive and informative displays that showcase the rich history and recreational importance of the park’s eight canal lakes.
“This new visitor center is all about helping people experience Portage Lakes in more ways than ever before,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “Whether you come here to boat, fish, birdwatch, or simply relax by the water, the center gives visitors a place to start their adventure while connecting with the stories and resources that make this park special.”
Strategically located at the Turkeyfoot Lake beach area, the center offers easy access for all visitors, including a new Americans With Disabilities Act switchback sidewalk connecting the parking lot to the beach. The project includes a comfort station for beachgoers and boaters, along with modern infrastructure to support an engaging, educational experience for everyone to enjoy.
“Portage Lakes State Park has long been a cherished destination for visitors, and this center gives them a new way to connect with the park’s unique history and natural beauty,” said Chief Glen Cobb, who leads ODNR’s Division of Parks and Watercraft. “We are proud to offer a space that welcomes everyone while celebrating the traditions of boating, fishing and outdoor recreation that make this place so special.”Cobb also noted that Portage Lakes State Park is known for having eight different lakes, making it a top destination for boating and fishing. The park’s wetlands also provide ample opportunities to view waterfowl and wildlife, he said.
Ohio’s state park system was recently recognized as the top state park system in the United States with the 2025 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management.
Former New Franklin City Councilman and current state Rep. Jack Daniels (R-District 32) said the Portage Lakes area is unique in that it is both a state park and home for many residents of New Franklin, Green and Coventry Township.
“We have some wilderness, but we also have homes [on the Portage Lakes],” he said. “This is a very special community and we have deserved this for years. Things like this don’t happen by accident, they happen by advocacy.”
He said the center represents the state’s willingness to support the park and potentially opens the door for more state staff to the park, including increased security.
“Hopefully there will be continued support; that is a big piece for me,” Daniels said. “I have lived here for years, and I grew up [near] Lake Milton State Park. I know how important this is for the local community.”
By: Brian Lisik
Source: Akron.com