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Punderson Box 338, 11755 Kinsman Road Punderson Resort Lodge Punderson State Park with its natural lake, resort manor house, family cabins, golf course and scenic campground, provides myriad recreational opportunities for visitors. Punderson is also Ohio's premier winter sports park. Sledding, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing are all at their best. Nature of the Area Punderson State Park is located in the glaciated plateau region of Ohio. During the Ice Age, this area was buried under glacial ice. The last glacier to enter Ohio's boundaries, the Wisconsinan, receded about 12,000 years ago. Punderson Lake, one of Ohio's few natural lakes, 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 melt water. Punderson is the largest and deepest kettle lake in Ohio. The aquatic environment of the lake combined with the surrounding woodlands give Punderson a diverse array of natural wonders. 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. In the park, 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. History of the Area Both the park and the lake take their names from Lemuel Punderson, a young enterprising land agent who became Newbury Township's first permanent settler in 1808. Punderson constructed a small dam on the south side of the "big pond," as he called it, and used the out flowing water as the power source for a grist mill. The Punderson family developed a small estate on the edge of the sparkling blue lake, and their home became a popular gathering place for family and friends. The area surrounding Punderson Lake developed into a quiet resort providing a get-away from the bustling Cleveland setting. Summer cottages and even a small hotel were built on the hills surrounding the lake. In 1929, construction began on the English-tudor manor house, but the facility was not completed until 1948. That year, the ODNR Division of Wildlife purchased the land and lake for hunting and fishing. In 1951, the area was transferred to the Division of Parks and Recreation for development as a state park. The manor house was completely remodeled and opened to the public on November 15, 1956. A structural renovation was completed in 1982. Camping Situated on the site of a former Indian village, the 201-site campground offers shower houses, flush toilets, electricity and pet camping. Four Rent-A-Camp units consisting of a tent, covered picnic table, cooler, cook stove and other equipment can be rented during the summer months by reservation.
Cabins Twenty-six cabins sleep six persons each. They have two bedrooms, bath with a shower, living room with a sofa bed, complete kitchen, dining area and screened porch. Lodge Overnight accommodations are available in the manor house. Thirty-one guest rooms provide a warm, intimate atmosphere. The manor house features a dining room, meeting rooms and an outdoor swimming pool. Golf Course A championship-rated, 18-hole public golf course challenges even the expert golfer. Reservations are always advisable and required for weekend play. The pro shop stocks all necessary merchandise and has a snack bar. Boating Beautiful Punderson Lake invites boaters to explore the many scenic coves. Electric motors only are permitted. Boat rentals are available at the concession. Trails Fourteen miles of trails take the hiker to some of the more interesting and scenic areas of the park. Fishing Anglers enjoy catches of bluegill, largemouth bass, rainbow and golden trout and catfish. Punderson Lake as well as two smaller lakes are open to fishing. A valid Ohio fishing license is required. Picnicking Picnic facilities with tables, grills and drinking water are located in scenic areas of the park. Winter Recreation Situated in the heart of Ohio's "snow belt," Punderson provides cold weather thrills for its visitors including a lighted toboggan run and sled hill. In close proximity is the winter sports chalet -- a unique heated facility offering cross-country ski rental and a snack bar. Snowmobile trails offer access to the park for those with snowmobiles. Weather permitting, two annual events are held in January: Ohio Championship Cross-Country Ski Race and the Buckeye Classic Sled Dog Race. Area Attractions The rural charm of Geauga County is highlighted at the Geauga County Historical Museum in Burton. Near the museum is Century Village, a reconstruction of an 1800s village typical of those scattered throughout the Western Reserve region of northeastern Ohio. Nelson-Kennedy Ledges and Tinker's Creek state parks are nearby. Both offer fine day-use facilities, including picnic areas and hiking trails for the visitor. Several nature preserves operated by the ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves are in the area. Tinker's Creek, Charles A. Tummonds, Eagle Creek and Frame Lake Fen are open during daylight hours. Gott Fen, Kent Bog and Triangle Lake Bog are accessible by permit only. For further information contact the Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, 1889 Fountain Square, Columbus, Ohio 43224. A different sort of adventure awaits those who visit Geauga Lake and Sea World amusement parks. Both parks are located southwest of Punderson State Park in the village of Aurora on State Route 43. Information on many of these attractions is available by calling 1-800-BUCKEYE. |
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