The Grand River Conservation Area is a 16-acre natural floodplain for the Grand River in Painesville and is a living example of a healthy, flushing ecosystem which serves an important role in supporting a healthy watershed.

 

Historically, the area was a forested swamp along the low lying floodplain of the Grand River. In the late 1970s, the site was modified to a residential development known as Gristmill and Millstone condominiums. The Great Flood in July 2006 saw over 17 feet of water in the area, rendering the living community uninhabitable. All the former buildings, garages and parking lots were removed and water quality studies were conducted. 

 

The City of Painesville worked with grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) to convert the land back to a natural floodplain. The Conservation Area now offers visitors a mile of trails meandering among the wetlands of the Grand River and features native plants and vegetation. 

 

Location

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399 Mentor Avenue, Painesville, Ohio 44077

Google Maps

 

Hours

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Dawn to dusk, 7 days a week

 

Amenities

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16-Acre Natural Floodplain

1 Mile of Nature Trails

Parking Lot