Lebanon Hills Visitor Center Reopens

After three months of construction, the campus reopened on Thursday, better than ever. Improvements include new hard-surface, looped, lit walking trails that extend use into the evening and accommodate guests of all abilities; a redesigned parking lot that improves safety; rain gardens to filter storm water runoff; an amphitheater and sledding hill; and shaded areas on the Lake View Deck.

The public is invited to stop by to check out the new additions and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa through Dec. 16.

Katie Pata, Park Operations Coordinator, says the improvements should provide more options for people to enjoy Lebanon Hills Regional Park. While some of the fun may have to wait for warmer weather, families and young children can take advantage of a new sledding hill.

“It’s a bunny hill,” said Pata. “It should be great for a majority of families with small kids. It’s a great option for people who want a slower pace.”

The sliding hill will be open during regular park hours and will be lit on the first Friday of each month to provide an additional activity during the park’s popular family day.

During the summer months, the hill area will also serve as an outdoor amphitheater. Pata says the park plans to use the area for live music events and programs and offer it as a staging area for organized activities such as 5k trail runs.

“We’re in the planning process with that,” said Pata. “Because of all the seeding, it won’t see a lot of use next summer. We have to give the seed and turf time to grow. But we plan on using it heavily the next year.”

The campus cross-country ski, snowshoe and kicksled equipment rental will open weekends beginning Saturday, Dec. 3 (or after the first significant snowfall). Get updates online.