Lake Hope State Park

06/02/2026

Water Lily Report: We have blooms!

These pink fragrant water lilies are real show stoppers! Although they naturally are white, this cultivar has been blooming here for quite some time. If you are paddling around, note the classic, round leaves and lift one up to see the purple-red tint underneath. They just started last week and will continue to bloom over the next couple of month.

Please keep in mind that although they are beautiful, they are also serve as an important part of the ecosystem as food and shelter for many organisms, so leave them where they are happiest and healthiest: in Lake Hope.

05/31/2026

With the arrival of June comes a whole new set of free programs! Highlights include a month-long BioBlitz, our Annual Youth Fishing Tournament with Friends of Lake Hope State Park on June 20, and a hike led by Ohio Geological Survey coming up on June 27th.

05/28/2026

Please excuse our mess! We told you last fall about the new and extended pollinator plots that were being prepped. We have great news now: the seeds have now been planted! For a while, even a couple years, it might not look like much but this once mowed area will start to teem with life with all of the new native vegetation as it matures.

What plants are going to grow there? It's quite a list, but includes:
Little bluestem, several species of coneflowers, common and swamp milkweed, heath and New England asters, rattlesnake master, dense blazing star, Ohio spiderwort (pictured), lance-leaf coreopsis, black-eyed susan, and many, many more. Stop by the Nature Center for a full list if your curious or want resources to start your own pollinator plot!

05/25/2026

Today we would like to take a moment to reflect and honor all American military personnel who died while serving in the armed forces. Remembrance is something that we do quite often here to help us to preserve the good memories either in thought or with our actions. This memorial bench is a symbol of just that, donated by the Williams family recently and located at the entrance to Keeton Cemetery.

If you would like to purchase a bench, please reach out to our Park Manager Jason Garey at 740-274-4965 or [email protected].

05/24/2026

We are serving paw paw ice cream at 1:00pm today at the Nature Center until its gone! Come for the tree hugging at noon and stay for a sweet treat!

05/21/2026

We have bittersweet news: Lori, our Assistant Park Manager, has started a new position as the Park Manager at Burr Oak State Park. She said she didn't want to make a big deal out of it, but she doesn't work here anymore so we are asking you guys for your fond memories of Lori over 33 years working here in various roles.

She typically was the one behind the lens so if you want to share pictures of her kissing/cuddling animals (which she is always doing) even better!

Lori has been a staple at Lake Hope for so long and has developed so many friends amongst our many regulars. We wish her well in her promotion!

05/20/2026

Get ready for a race to 250 species in our park and Lake Alma State Park!

June = BioBlitz Month at Ohio State Parks!

As we celebrate America 250 all year long, June’s theme highlights Natural Resources—and we’re inviting YOU to join the fun!

Eight Ohio State Parks are hosting BioBlitz programs this month, led by ODNR Parks & Watercraft naturalists. It’s your chance to explore the outdoors, discover the incredible biodiversity in our parks, and be part of community science.

🔍 What’s a BioBlitz?

A BioBlitz is a collaborative challenge to find and document as many species as possible in a set time and place. It’s exciting, educational, and a great way to see nature up close while helping scientists better understand Ohio’s ecosystems.

🌱 Bring your curiosity.

📸 Bring your sense of adventure.

🌎 Be part of America’s 250th anniversary by celebrating the natural wonders that make Ohio special!

For details on each BioBlitz program—and all our America 250 events happening throughout 2026—visit: ohiodnr.gov/america250

Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Ohio, The Heart of it All
America 250-Ohio
Maumee Bay State Park
Lake Hope State Park
Indian Lake State Park
Mosquito Lake State Park
Alum Creek State Park
Jesse Owens State Park
Salt Fork State Park

05/14/2026

More and more people are venturing out into nature and with that comes an uptick of exposure to ticks. Be ready year-round with these tips, and know that best practice is being aware and checking frequently for these unwanted hitchhikers.

Diseases spread by ticks are an increasing concern in Ohio and are being reported to the Ohio Department of Health more frequently in the past decade, with Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) being the most common. Other tickborne diseases such as anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and ehrli...

05/12/2026

It's baby season!

Humans have best intentions, but more often it's best to leave wildlife wild. This podcast has tips to help decide what to do when you come across a baby or injured animal.

2 likes. "Keeping Wildlife Wild Through the Born Wild, Stay Wild Campaign with Stormy Gibson"

05/10/2026