Headwaters Trail Section Opens

The eighth phase of the Headwaters Trail, just shy of 1.4 miles, is located on the old Erie Lackawanna Railroad corridor between Chamberlain Road and Diagonal Road in Mantua Township. The project includes a small trailhead parking area and restrooms at Chamberlain Road. It has a chip-and-seal surface and connects directly with the Aurora Trail. The Headwaters Trail began as a local grassroots project in the 1990s.

Kame-Esker Bog Opens August 15

Mark your calendar and plan to join us for the public opening of your newest Portage Park on Saturday, August 15! The 215-acre Kame-Esker Bog features rolling hills, old fields, mature woods, over ½ mile of Plum Creek and a rare, high-quality sphagnum peat bog that is a dedicated part of Cooperrider-Kent Bog State Nature Preserve. The 2017 purchase from the Carter Jones Lumber Company was made possible thanks to a partnership with the nonprofit Ohio Valley Conservation Coalition (OVCC) and the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, with funding coming from the Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Fund and the Ohio EPA’s Water Resource Restoration Sponsor Program (WRRSP). We are putting the finishing touches on the park, so please respect the closure and visit beginning August 15.

Update on Towner's Woods and PORTAGE Hike & Bike Trail Project

Work continues on the Towner's Woods Park project. We appreciate your continued patience and respect for the construction closures. The park and parking lot remain CLOSED to finish construction, water and septic system projects for the new restrooms. Please do not enter the park. Good news! The portion of the PORTAGE Hike & Bike Trail that goes through the park is now open for foot and bike traffic. The most updated information about the closure can be found on our Alerts page. We have received some common questions about the project and have answered them on our Planning page. We are as excited as you to complete this entrance facelift!

2026 Wild Hikes Challenge

It is the Year of the Bog! Portage County has some of the highest quality bog ecosystems in the state. These special wetlands were created by receding glaciers, are acidic and nutrient-poor, and support rare and interesting plants like tamarack (seedling pictured), sphagnum moss, leatherleaf, pitcher plants, and so many more. Earn your tamarack medallion to celebrate the opening of our newest park: Kame-Esker Bog! Download your WHC Form and complete 8 of the listed hikes!

Happy Hour Hikes

The next Portage Park District Foundation Happy Hour Hike will be held Saturday, September 26 at 10:00am. We will be hiking the PORTAGE Hike and Bike Trail from the Lake Rockwell Road trailhead and visiting our park neighbors at Beckwith's Orchard!

The Portage Park District Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization established in 2010 to support the Portage Park District programs and initiatives.

Volunteer Wins State Poetry Contest

You have likely appreciated the photography of park volunteer Aaron Moats, but he is also a writer! One of Aaron's poems was selected as a winner in the 2026 ODNR Division of Wildlife's Writers for Wildlife Poetry Contest. His poem "My Four Year Old's Trophy" is currently displayed in the Natural Resources Park at the Ohio State Fair. Congratulations!

My little girl just turned four

Today her first fishing trip's in store

We bait a hook and throw a line

She chases bugs to pass the time

Then suddenly the bobber goes

Her level of excitement shows

Eyes are big her high pitched scream

She yanks and pulls it from the stream

A three inch bluegill, she has a fit

"look daddy look daddy, can we mount it"

• The 2026 Deer Archery Lottery is now open for entry until August 31.
• Towner's Woods Park turns 50 this year! Remember to share your Towner's Woods memories with us.
• Construction season continues! Follow our planning page for project updates and please avoid construction areas and respect closures for your safety and the safety of workers. The most current alerts can be found by clicking the orange View Alerts button at the top of the park website. Please check before you leave for your park adventure. Thank you for your patience!