New, safe method for rentals at Chapin Forest

Customers can now rent skis or snowshoes and stay healthy and safe amid the pandemic with new protocols.

In continued efforts to keep visitors safe, Lake Metroparks has a reservation system in place now for customers who want to rent skis or snowshoes at Chapin Forest Reservation in Kirtland.

Advanced booking of a date — up to four days in advance — and block of time (one-hour increments), along with prepayment, will reserve equipment and help staff plan for arrivals to Pine Lodge Ski Center.

One-way traffic and distancing measures are also set up and enforced to quickly process transactions, officials confirm. Use of rented equipment will be for the reserved block of time. All equipment will be thoroughly disinfected before it is rented again.

Visitors are asked to use the entrance at the north side of the building, near the bathrooms, after arriving and reserving equipment.

Check-in requires a driver’s license as collateral while skiing or snowshoeing. Personal items must be secured in vehicles while enjoying the trails.

Only visitors renting equipment will enter Pine Lodge Ski Center; storage areas and concessions are not available. Outdoor seating will be available near the ski center and the gas fireplace.

Cross-country skis are available for rent for ages 13 and older for $5 per hour

and ages 12 and younger for $3 per hour.

Snowshoes are available for rent for ages 13 and older for $3 per hour and ages 12 and younger for $1.50 per hour.

To make a reservation, visit https://goto.lakemetroparks.com/ski-andsnowshoe-rentals.

Those who have not reserved equipment before, participated in a program or reserved a shelter with Lake Metroparks must set up an online account prior to renting equipment, officials noted.

For up-to-date ski conditions, call the Winter Sports Hotline at 440-256-2118, ext. 4178 or follow Lake Metroparks on Twitter (@lakemetroparks) and Facebook.

Lake Metroparks may need to cancel equipment

reservations if trail conditions at Chapin Forest Reservation deteriorate. The park system will send emails and promptly issue refunds to affected rental customers if a cancelation is necessary.

For additional questions about rental reservation, call 440-256-3810 or email registration@lakemetroparks.com.

According to officials, Lake Metroparks will continue to groom trails for skiing this winter season at both Chapin Forest Reservation and Girdled Road Reservation (south entrance) as in the past. One mile of trail at Chapin Forest will be illuminated every night from dusk until the park closes.

A mile of trail lights will be turned on the Arbor

Lane Loop Trail (Hobart Road entrance) each evening from dusk until the park closes.

Due to the state-mandated curfew, Chapin Forest Reservation closes at 10 p.m. daily until further notice.

SUBMITTED Lake Metroparks has updated its system for renting snowshoes and cross-country skis at Chapin Forest Reservation in Kirtland.