Great Parks Begins Construction on Sharon Woods Harbor Revitalization

Great Parks has started construction on the revitalization of Sharon Woods Harbor that will dramatically improve the harbor experience and provide better opportunities for nature exploration, programming and group activities by the water.

“We have listened to the community’s ideas on what they would like to see in a new harbor, and we are thrilled about the opportunity to bring those ideas to reality and create a transformational experience,” said Todd Palmeter, Great Parks CEO. “With a revitalized harbor, the renewed Sharon Lake and the new destination playground that previously opened near Sharon Center, it’s almost as if our guests are getting an entirely new park at Sharon Woods.”

The new Sharon Woods Harbor will include a boathouse, snack bar area, lake overlook and restrooms. At the waterfront, steps will dramatically descend into the lake, and sitting and gathering areas will closely integrate with their natural surroundings. A small hillside seating and educational gathering space will host entertainment and special events. Great Parks will add new play areas, including a new wet play area, plus more parking to accommodate increased guest visits. The boathouse building will feature solar panels to generate renewable energy.

The harbor is planned to reopen in spring 2028 after construction is complete. In preparation of this project, Great Parks opened a temporary boathouse for boat rentals and other services at Lakeside Lodge on the east side of Sharon Lake last spring. The temporary boathouse is now closed for the season and will reopen next spring.

To install new waterfront features at the harbor, Great Parks will need to lower the water level of Sharon Lake in October 2026. The water level will remain at a reduced level over the winter. While the water level is reduced, boating will be prohibited on the lake. Great Parks will return the lake to an operational level in time for the seasonal opening of the temporary boathouse in spring 2027. Great Parks will utilize special weirs, or low-head dams, that were installed during the Sharon Lake Improvement Project, to aid in adjustments to the water level, eliminate the potential need for a total draining of the lake, add protection for fish and other wildlife, and avoid greater impacts to Sharon Woods from this project.

Some temporary closures are necessary during renovation, and Great Parks will offer the most up-to-date information about them at GreatParks.org/projects. The entire existing harbor area and parking lot will be closed throughout the project. Construction work will require Great Parks to close the Sharon Woods entrance from East Kemper Road from October 2026 to May 2027. The Sharon Woods entrance from U.S. 42/Lebanon Road will remain open, and guests can use this entrance to connect to Buckeye Falls Drive, which leads all the way to Sharon Woods Golf Course. Also, because of construction, the section of the Sharon Lake Trail that passes through the harbor will remain closed from October 2026 until spring 2028. 

Separately, Great Parks will take the opportunity to make grade improvements on two short sections of the Sharon Lake Trail north of Kemper Road and the harbor. Each section will be closed individually during the work, which will finish by late October 2026. 

The current total cost of design and construction for this project is estimated at more than $17 million. Great Parks thanks The James J. and Joan A. Gardner Family Foundation and The State of Ohio Capital Improvement Fund for their support of the project. Great Parks will provide the remaining funds through its current capital project budget, additional grants and other funding sources.