Owned by Gaylord Community Schools & Managed by the Otsego Conservation District
Come enjoy the only public access to the beautiful Five Lakes!
The Five Lakes Natural Area is always open to the public for non-motorized activities like: Picnics on the picnic tables   Walking your dog   Hiking, snowshoeing, or cross country skiing on the nature trails   Wildlife viewing

History

• The Five Lakes Natural Area has been managed by the Otsego Conservation District since 2002.
   

• In 2003 grants from the Otsego Wildlife Legacy Society and Great Lakes Energy allowed OCD to create management plans for the forest and to enhance the property with a wood chip- covered parking area, interpretive signs, nature trails and an aquatic study area with a boardwalk.

• In May of 2003 over 100 middle school students as well as volunteers from Northland Sportsman’s Club and the Friendship Church planted 700 trees at the Natural Area.
   

• Gaylord High School’s construction class has been involved by building picnic tables and benches for visitors to use.
   

• May 2008 middle and high school students along with OCD’s AmeriCorps member removed spotted knapweed and restored the site with native grass and wildflower mixes. They also planted a native plants green belt along the shoreline that can be viewed from the boardwalk.

• In 2011, the natural area received a face-lift thanks to the hard work of Eagle Scout Cameron Krupiarz and several dedicated volunteers. Updates included a new parking area, manicured trails, bright new signs, trail markers, and additional benches. 

Gaylord Community Schools are committed to maintaining a model school forest through wise forest management and creating on-site natural resource education programs for school groups.

 

Directions

From Downtown Gaylord: take M-32 west to Murner Road. Turn right on Murner Road and travel north until you reach Five Lakes Road (1 mile). Turn left on Five Lakes Road and follow it for approximately 0.5 miles until you see the Gaylord Community Schools Forest sign on your right.

From west of Gaylord: take M-32 east to N. Townline Road. Turn left on North Townline and travel north until you reach Five Lakes Road (I mile). Turn right on Five Lakes Road and follow it for approximately 0.5 miles until you see the Gaylord Community Schools Forest sign on your left.