Park District opens Tumble Bug Trailhead at Chippewa Lake Park

This is the first phase for former amusement park redevelopment

Wooden pavilion with red roof in a park next to a paved path under a blue sky.

The Medina County Park District opened the new Tumble Bug Trailhead at the former Chippewa Lake Amusement Park on May 15 as the first phase of the historic site’s redevelopment.

MCPD

Published May 15, 2026 - 5:51 a.m.

A portion of the former Chippewa Lake Amusement Park, acquired by the Medina County Park District in 2020, reopened to visitors May 15 following a ribbon-cutting ceremony with local officials.

A curved paved path runs through a park with trees, grass, and a partly cloudy blue sky. — The new Tumble Bug Trailhead features a half-mile accessible gravel loop trail, picnic shelter, parking area and restrooms at the former Chippewa Lake Amusement Park site.

The reopening marks the debut of the Tumble Bug Trailhead, located at 5796 Longacre Lane in Chippewa Lake.

The project is the first phase of development at the former amusement park and offers new opportunities for the public to explore and enjoy the historic property. Amenities included in this phase are a parking area, restrooms, a 20-by-28-foot shared-use picnic shelter and a half-mile accessible gravel loop trail.

In the coming years, the trail will be extended to connect with the site of the former Tumble Bug ride to further enhance the visitor experience.

As part of the initial phase, the park district partnered with the Chippewa Lake Historical Society. The organization leases a park-owned house at the corner of Longacre Lane and Lake Road and plans to operate a museum at the site beginning this summer. The museum will help preserve and share the history of the former amusement park and surrounding community.

Red house with white trim on a grassy property beneath a partly cloudy blue sky. — The Chippewa Lake Historical Society will operate a museum at the site to help preserve and share the history of the former amusement park and community.

The opening of the Tumble Bug Trailhead represents a step in bringing new life to the landmark property while blending outdoor recreation with historical preservation.

“This is the first step in making Chippewa Lake Park a destination once again, albeit a different kind of park this time,” Medina County Park District Director Nathan Eppink said. “Since 2020, we’ve created a master plan with public input, cleaned up crumbling debris and asphalt in the old park, and brought on the Chippewa Yacht Club and Chippewa Lake Historical Society as official partners. It’s an exciting time for the park district, our neighbors and all of Medina County.”