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Half a century ago, visionary citizens of Ohio's smallest county began campaigning to set aside land for future parks. To conserve and preserve the natural resources of Lake County, Lake Metroparks was formed in 1958 under the authority of Chapter 1545 of the Ohio Revised Code and is a separate political subdivision of the state of Ohio. The park district consists of 40 parks, facilities, and properties, encompassing a total of 7,625 acres (including 6,347 owned acres, 731 leased acres, and 547 acres of land easements). Its boundaries are coterminous with the boundaries of Lake County, Ohio, located immediately east of Cuyahoga County. The southern shoreline of Lake Erie forms the northern boundary of the park district.

The presiding Lake County Probate Court Judge, currently the
Honorable Ted Klammer, appoints a three-member board of citizens to
govern Lake Metroparks. Lake Metroparks Board of Park Commissioners
Ellen Foley Kessler, Mark P. Oesterle and Frank J. Polivka serve, without compensation, for three-year alternating terms. In March of each year, the Board of Park Commissioners appoints an Executive Director who serves as the Chief Executive Officer for the Park District. Lake Metroparks Executive Director is David A. Noble; click here for administrative directory.

Lake Metroparks board and staff maintain a genuine commitment to the community, which is reflected in the balanced offering of programs shaped to fulfill the agency's mission:

To conserve and preserve the natural resources of Lake County while providing a variety of safe, affordable and enjoyable educational and recreational programs and activities that enhance the quality of life in Lake County now and for the generations to follow.

Portions of two state designated wild and scenic rivers - and many tributaries - flow through and are protected by Lake Metroparks. In addition to protecting watersheds and open space, Lake Metroparks annually provides more than two million visitors with countless recreational and educational experiences at diverse facilities including an agriculturally themed park, a nature center, a state-of-the-art education and wildlife rehabilitation center, two golf courses, a 4.8-mile paved bike/hike trail, five parks on Lake Erie's shoreline and a cross-country ski center.