The new Chippewa Lake Birding & Bridle Trail, which opened Thursday, offers bird watchers and horseback riders the chance to explore a grassland habitat and traverse a shallow stream.
Located at 7782 Ballash Road in Westfield Township, the 2.3-mile mowed trail is situated on a 123-acre parcel acquired by the Medina County Park District in 2001. It is just west of Chippewa Lake and south of the park district’s Krabill Lodge.
“For several years, people have been asking us for longer bridle trails,” Medina County Parks Director Nathan D. Eppink said in a prepared statement. “We’ve also wanted to open up the Chippewa Lake area for birding opportunities. More than 200 bird species have been observed around Ohio’s largest inland glacial lake.”
The trailhead features a gravel parking lot with a 40-foot-wide entrance, accommodating horse trailers and providing 10 paved and striped spaces for smaller vehicles. Biking is not permitted on the trail. Dogs are permitted if controlled at all times on leashes.
Future plans, likely in 2025, include adding a picnic shelter, restroom and an additional section of mowed trail on the east side of Ballash Road.
Each year, the new area will be open to the public from May 1 through Oct. 31 to limit impacts to the trail during wetter conditions.
For more information, visit medinacountyparks.com or call 330-722-9364.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Chippewa Lake Birding & Bridle Trail in Medina County opens to public
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