Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park

Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park serves as a sanctuary for both wildlife and people. To see live conditions on Lake Erie at this park, click here to view the harborcam.

Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park is featured in Coastal Living’s ultimate summer list, “The Best Beaches in America” as the Best Beach in Ohio.

Beach off-season

• Lake Metroparks Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park is open 6 am to 11 pm daily.
• Free parking.
• Lifeguards are not on duty. Swimming is at your own risk.
• Concessions and rentals are closed.
• Please help us keep the park clean; kindly dispose of trash properly.

Beach rules

• Smoking is prohibited on the sand, the boardwalk and in the concession area.
• No alcohol is permitted.
• Please put your litter in containers provided.
• Please do not bring glass containers to the beach.
• Fires must be contained within a proper grill or other designated area approved by the Executive Director.
• Please keep amplified music at a reasonable level.
• Supervise your children, both in the water and on land.
• Swim only in the designated swim area.
• For your safety, flotation devices are not permitted in the swim area.
• Dogs must be on a leash and are allowed only on the paved parking lot or in the designated dog area at the east of the park. Due to recent shoreline erosion, access to the lake for dogs is closed for the safety of both pets and their owners.
• Clean up pet waste immediately and properly.

Harbor View Boardwalk

The T-shaped beach-level wooden platform extends from the parking lot toward Lake Erie. Wooden benches and picnic tables are placed along the deck for visitors to sit and enjoy the view of the harbor. “This deck allows seniors and others with mobility impairments to get from the parking lot onto and across the beach where they can see the sunset and lighthouse,” said Lake Metroparks Executive Director Paul Palagyi.

Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB)

Lake Metroparks monitors the parks for the presence of harmful algal blooms. A harmful algal bloom is a large growth of naturally-occurring bacteria that can produce toxins that may be harmful to people and pets. Swimmers, boaters and jet skiers are cautioned that water contact on skin or breathing/inhaling water droplets may cause health problems affecting the liver, nervous system and/or skin.

What should you do if you or your pets are exposed to waters where a HAB is found?

• Rinse off after coming out of the water
• In case of accidental water ingestion, contact a physician
• In case of pet exposure, contact your vet

If the HAB is no longer visible, is it safe to swim?

• Toxins can still be present in the water even if the HAB cannot be seen
• Look for the signs that warn about the presence of an HAB

Remember, you can still boat, fish and enjoy Ohio’s lakes, streams and rivers. Recreational water users are encouraged to maintain a level of awareness for the duration of the swimming season.

Click here for information about HAB.

E. coli Water Monitoring

The LCGHD monitors water quality at the beach located at Lake Metroparks Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Samples are collected daily (including weekends and holidays) and results are reported 24 hours later. Beach water is sampled for E. coli bacteria. When the bacterial count exceeds the single sample standard of 235 E.coli/100 ml sample, advisory signs are posted at the beach. In the absence of a warning sign, use common sense to evaluate the lake conditions prior to swimming. It is recommended to avoid entering the water for 24 to 48 hours after a heavy rain of one-half inch or more in a 24-hour period, or if the lake appears to be very rough and dirty.

Click here for more information about E. coli water monitoring.