Sharon Lake Reopens After 2-Year Makeover

Sharon Lake at Sharon Woods park is preparing for its grand reopening after a comprehensive two-year, $20 million improvement project concluded in April 2026. Visitors can anticipate enjoying newly added boardwalks over the water, accessible fishing piers, and a floating kayak launch. The project significantly expanded the park's wetlands, doubling their previous area.

The lake was closed in April 2024 to address long-term ecological health and meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards for all facilities. While most new amenities will be accessible by the fourth week of March 2026, kayaking will be permitted by summer. Anglers will need to wait several years for fishing to resume, as the park's team will repopulate the lake gradually, starting with feeder fish and later introducing species like bluegill, bass, and catfish.

Over 1.2 million visitors frequented Sharon Woods in 2025, making it the second most popular Great Parks location. The improvement project included rerouting the Sharon Lake Loop Trail to address steep inclines and narrow passages, ensuring ADA compliance while minimizing impact on trees. The lake was also drained to remove excess sediment, which was then repurposed to create new wetlands, acting as natural filters for the water.

A separate $17 million project, the Sharon Woods Harbor Revitalization, is slated to begin construction in fall 2026, with a planned opening in spring 2028. This phase will introduce an educational amphitheater, a new boathouse, a refreshed snack bar, and improved parking and restrooms. Sharon Lake's amenities will remain accessible during this subsequent construction, though a section of the lake trail will close by October 2026.