The Only Public Access on Beautiful Five Lakes |
Owned by the Gaylord Community Schools and managed by the Otsego Conservation District, the Five Lakes Natural Area is always open to the public for non-motorized activities such as:
- Picnics on the picnic tables.
- Walking your dog.
- Hiking, snowshoeing, or cross country skiing on the nature trails.
- Wildlife viewing.
About
The Five Lakes Natural Area, owned by Gaylord Community Schools and managed by the Otsego Conservation District since 2002, the Five Lakes natural area is the only recreation area open to the public within the beautiful Five Lakes. In 2003 grants from the Otsego Wildlife Legacy Society and Great Lakes Energy allowed the Conservation District to create management plans for the forest and to enhance the property with a wood chip covered parking area, interpretive signs, nature trails, and an aquatic study area with a boardwalk.
In May of 2003 over 100 middle school students as well as volunteers from Northland Sportsman's Club and the Friendship Church planted 700 trees at the Natural Area.
Gaylord High School's construction class has been involved by building picnic tables and benches for visitors to use and in May of 2008 middle and high school students along with the Conservation District's Huron Pines AmeriCorps member removed spotted knapweed and restored the site with native grass and wildflower mixes. They also planted a native plants green belt along the shoreline that can be viewed from the boardwalk.
The Five Lakes Natural Area received a face-lift in the summer of 2011 thanks to the hard work of Eagle Scout Cameron Krupiarz and several dedicated volunteers. A newly updated parking area, manicured trails, bright new signs, trail markers, a boardwalk, picnic tables and benches throughout make this an excellent location for picnics, walking your dog, wildlife viewing and hiking. The Five Lakes Natural Area is located on Five Lakes Road between Blasius Road and Wild Cherry Lane. The area provides excellent educational opportunities for the schools and the public.
The Five Lakes Natural Area, owned by Gaylord Community Schools and managed by the Otsego Conservation District since 2002, the Five Lakes natural area is the only recreation area open to the public within the beautiful Five Lakes. In 2003 grants from the Otsego Wildlife Legacy Society and Great Lakes Energy allowed the Conservation District to create management plans for the forest and to enhance the property with a wood chip covered parking area, interpretive signs, nature trails, and an aquatic study area with a boardwalk.
In May of 2003 over 100 middle school students as well as volunteers from Northland Sportsman's Club and the Friendship Church planted 700 trees at the Natural Area.
Gaylord High School's construction class has been involved by building picnic tables and benches for visitors to use and in May of 2008 middle and high school students along with the Conservation District's Huron Pines AmeriCorps member removed spotted knapweed and restored the site with native grass and wildflower mixes. They also planted a native plants green belt along the shoreline that can be viewed from the boardwalk.
The Five Lakes Natural Area received a face-lift in the summer of 2011 thanks to the hard work of Eagle Scout Cameron Krupiarz and several dedicated volunteers. A newly updated parking area, manicured trails, bright new signs, trail markers, a boardwalk, picnic tables and benches throughout make this an excellent location for picnics, walking your dog, wildlife viewing and hiking. The Five Lakes Natural Area is located on Five Lakes Road between Blasius Road and Wild Cherry Lane. The area provides excellent educational opportunities for the schools and the public.
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Directions
From Downtown Gaylord: Take M-32 west to Murner Road. Turn right on Murner Road and travel north until you reach Five Lakes Road (1 mile). Turn left onto Five Lakes Road and follow it for approximately 0.5 miles until you see the Gaylord Community Schools Forest sign on your right. From west of Gaylord: Take M-32 east to N. Townline Road. Turn left onto N. Townline and travel north until you reach Five Lakes Road (1 mile). Turn right onto Five Lakes Road and follow it for approximately 0.5 miles until you see the Gaylord Community Schools Forest sign on your left. |