The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
ENJOYING THE OUTDOORS
Outdoor recreational activities featured at Punderson State Park
“It has a great summer feel, but Punderson also shines in the winter.”
Editor’s note: This is one in a series of articles looking at “Hidden Gems” — interesting sites in The News-Herald’s coverage area that even longtime residents might not have discovered.
You don’t have to travel far for a premier outdoor destination.
Punderson State Park at 11755 Kinsman Road in Newbury Township offers numerous recreational activities and outdoor amenities including a 150-acre natural lake, resort manor house, family cabins, golf course and campgrounds.
Whether visiting for a day or staying overnight, there is plenty to see and do.
— Ohio Department of Natural Resources Communications Deputy Chief Matt Eiselstein
The 741-acre state park that is quietly tucked away in Geauga County is a popular destination for Camp Burton, a local Christian Camp for kindergartners to eighthgraders.
Carmaletta Hinson, who has been involved in Camp Burton for eight years, said they love to visit Punderson.
While Hinson used one of the outdoor grills to prepare lunch, about 30 campers enjoyed the 600foot public beach on June 28.
They delighted in swimming, canoeing, beach volleyball and building sand castles.
“It’s about a 15-minute drive and it’s just a lot of fun,” she said.
Hinson said she also enjoys visiting Punderson with her family to hike the trails and bike ride.
Ohio Department of Natural Resources Communications Deputy Chief Matt Eiselstein, said ODNR, which oversees the state’s 74 parks, invested about $126 million in improving Ohio State Parks; and Punderson significantly benefited from that investment.
“It has a new indoor and outdoor pool at the lodge,” he said. “There’s a beautiful boardwalk that goes out to the lake from the lodge, campgrounds have been updated, the exterior of the cabins have been updated and there is a new playground outside the campgrounds. The other thing that folks may not know is, disc golf is getting really popular and the Disc Golf Scene, the magazine, named it the number one disc golf course in Ohio.”
Eiselstein said the park recently added boat rentals.
“We also now rent canoes, kayaks and motor boats at the marina,” he said.
Punderson State Park is not just a popular summer destination but also one of the top parks for outdoor winter activities.
He said there is a mechanized lift for the sledding hill, ice skating rink and a chalet that serves Belgian waffles when the sledding slope is open.
“It has a great summer feel, but Punderson also shines in the winter,” Eiselstein said.
The park has been undergoing extensive renovations since 2015, beginning with the “Grand Dame of the Ohio State Park Lodges” project.
From January to March 2015, extensive behindthe-scenes updates took place at Punderson, including new electrical wiring, upgraded ventilation and plumbing systems and more.
Other applied improvements include updates to all 26 of the hillside and parkside cabin interiors (including new furniture, bedding, flooring and wall coverings); new indoor and outdoor pools; an expansion of the lakefront boardwalk to the cabin area; replacement of the Manor House’s exterior trim and Wi-Fi access installation for all cabins.
Visitors also may not be aware of Punderson’s rich history and extensive natural features.
According to its website, Punderson State Park is located in the glaciated plateau region of Ohio. During the Ice Age, this area was buried under glacial ice. Punderson Lake owes its origin to this massive ice sheet. It is a kettle lake which was formed when a large block of ice broke off the glacier creating a depression which filled with meltwater. Punderson is the largest and deepest kettle lake in Ohio.
The lake is home to a variety of shorebirds and waterfowl including great blue herons, Canada geese and wood ducks. Ohio’s largest rodent, the beaver, can also be spotted around the lake. Great horned owls, white-tailed deer, opossum and raccoons can be found within the park boundaries.
The vegetation is as diverse as the animal population. Wild geranium, buttercup, blue-eyed grass and pennywort are just a few of the wildflowers that inhabit the area.
Punderson State Park can be a serene oasis or refreshing adventure.
To learn more about Punderson State Park or to reserve a campsite, shelter, cottage or lodge room visit parks.ohiodnr. gov/punderson.