Mantua
Mentor is located along the Bedford Section of the Buckeye Trail in the Crooked River Chapter area. Mentor became the 11th Trail Town August 25, 2018.
Mentor is a city in Lake County in the northeastern part of the state, located on Lake Erie, about 30 minutes east of Cleveland.
In 1797, Charles Parker, a surveyor with the Connecticut Land Company, built a cabin on the marsh paving the way for other pioneers to establish this new land called the Western Reserve Territory.
Mentor was one of the first towns settled in the Connecticut Western Reserve. Mentor was named after the Greek Figure Mentor.
Growth was slow and steady as Mentor did not become a city until 1963. It was a series of farms, artisans, and nurseryman. The early twentieth century Cleveland business giants established great summer estates along the Mentor Avenue Corridor. After the civil war, the area became known for their nurseries and greenhouses and summer retreats for Cleveland wealthy families.
The Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve and Marina, managed by the City of Mentor, offers additional hiking trails, as well as kayak and canoe rentals. Lake Erie beach access is also provided for strolls by the shore.
Hikers pass by several other parks with a variety of facilities. At the beginning of Mentor Marsh’s Zimmerman Trail is Morton Community Park (Point 32) with restrooms and a picnic area. Veterans Park, managed by Lake Metroparks (Point 29), has a picnic shelter, restrooms, trails, and the largest inland pond in the county and a remnant of original Ohio swamp forest.
Between Points 28 and 29, hikers walk in Civic Center Park, the site of the city waterpark, skate park, ice arena, and much more. Seasonal events such as Mentor City Fest, Mentor Rocks, and the July 4th Fireworks are held here. If hiking with a dog, the Mentor Dog Park on Hopkins Road has park benches for humans to rest!
The Buckeye Trail crosses historic US20 (Mentor Avenue), the longest road in the United States. Turning off the trail onto US20 in either direction are retail areas featuring specialty shops like
Malley’s Ice Cream and Second Sole Running Store, food options like Longo’s Pizza and Heinen’s Grocery Store, and everything from independent businesses to big box stores. Mentor is home to over 325 retailers, 170 eateries, as well as 9 hotels! Additionally, Mentor is a Bicycle Friendly Community with both dedicated bike lanes and bike paths.
Plan Your Visit
The James A. Garfield National Historic Site
Mentor is the home of James A. Garfield, the 20th President of the United States. In 1880, James Garfield used his front porch as a platform to greet thousands of well-wishers during his presidential campaign.
Wildwood Cultural Center and Park
The estate and manor house were built by the John G. Oliver family in 1908 and purchased by the City of Mentor in 1980. The cultural center was placed on the National Register of homes in 1981. The 34-acre estate includes hiking trails, restrooms, picnic and wildlife area.
Veterans' Memorial Park
Veterans Park, managed by Lake Metroparks (Point 29), has a picnic shelter, restrooms, trails, and the largest inland pond in the county and a remnant of original Ohio swamp forest
Mentor Beach Park
This 13-acre park features a renovated, historic pavilion with two large banquet rooms
Black Brook Golf Course & Practice Center
Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve and Marina: The 230 acres preserve includes 1-1.5 miles of shoreline with rare dune plants, a riverine marsh and mature oak bluff. It serves as an important breeding and nursery area for fish and waterfowl and an extremely popular resting place for birds and butterflies as they migrate each year.
Mentor Marsh & Carol H. Sweet Nature Center
Mentor Marsh has been a National Park Service-designated National Natural Landmark since 1966 for being one of the most species-rich sites on the Great Lakes shoreline. It is also a National Audubon Society Important Birding Area.
Lodging
There are various AirBnB’s and VRBOs for rent in the Mentor area.
There are assorted chain hotels near Mentor Avenue and Interstate I-90.