By Laura Mazur
Community Post
Ah...a day out on the lake.
Many people enjoy spending time at local parks and lakes in the spring and summertime months. And there is a variety of things available for visitors to see and do at Grand Lake St. Marys.

There is fishing, boating, biking, hiking and walking to do and even a little bit of nature to watch.
“Ohio state parks are just asking people to come out for things like picnics, biking or just taking a walk. We're just asking people to come out and see what there is,” said Grand Lake St. Marys Assistant Park Manager Brian Miller. “We're always trying to do a good job and keep things maintained.”
Besides keeping up with maintenance, the park is keeping people and their pets active.
Last season, two new 10-foot wide asphalt trails were laid—one on each the east and the west banks—for walking, running, biking and any other non-motorized traffic. Those wanting to get in touch with nature or spend some quiet time by the lake can indulge in these new trails made to get people outdoors and active.
Currently in the works for the park along the West Bank is also a way for man's best friend to stay in shape, too. The park is collaborating with local volunteers, according to Miller, on the creation of a dog park. A three-acre parcel of land is being mowed, reseeded and cleaned up south of the spillway so dogs can get some exercise at the park. Laws state that dogs must be leashed at all times on park grounds, but with the fencing in of this grassy acreage, dogs will be able to be let loose on this part of the grounds with the watchful eye of a owner nearby. The dog park is still in its clean-up stages at the moment, but will soon be pup friendly once summer comes a bit closer.
A third idea to get people out to the park is the addition of a disc golf course. Although still looking for an exact spot for the course, Grand Lake St. Marys Park may soon be thrilling Frisbee fanatics. They may find out it's not all in the wrist, but in the lake...
And to provide better service to guests of the park, a new law enforcement boat dock has been installed on the west end of the lake for the Mercer County Sheriff's Office, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Watercraft and the Grand Lake St. Mary State Park Office to increase response time to those in need on the water.
Anyone wishing for information on all the amenities the lake offers, stop by the camp office for a welcome kit filled with brochures on what's in store. Another place to stop along the lake for information is in St. Marys at the Auglaize and Mercer Counties Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“People can come and have a relaxing or an exciting time and don't have to spend a lot of money. We give them a lot of value at the lake,” explained Donna Grube, executive director of the CVB.
Located only a couple hours from larger cities like Toledo, Columbus and Cincinnati, visitors can come in for a day trip or for a long weekend to see the free entertainment at many of the summer festivals, which include boat races and music with water lapping at the nearby docks. There's always an event to find good food, good drinks and a good time.
Grue says many people stop into the CVB office to find out where things are around the lake. The latest trend in the past two years has been people wanting to know where hiking, biking and walking trails are to use for themselves, with family members or with a furry friend. Another top question is about eateries. Any kind of food is possible near the lake, it depends on what kind of flavor you want, what kind of view you want and to what options you are open.
Camping, as well as cabin and cottage rentals are an option for those wanting to stay the night if the fish are biting nicely that day. Boat rental are available at the East Bank Marina, but for those not boat operating inclined, there is a new water taxi service, which upon the purchase of a ticket, takes you for a tour around the waterway and shows you all the sights there are to see along the Grand Lake.
Grube said, “People are drawn to the water—whether it's for family reunions, picnics or a stroll on a walking path, they like the open water. It takes you to a place beyond your own neighborhood.”