Great Parks launches $17M revamp of Sharon Woods Harbor

Great Parks is launching a $17 million transformation of Sharon Woods Harbor, beginning site preparation on a project that will continue to reshape one of the region’s most visited park destinations.

The Sharon Woods Harbor Revitalization – separate from the nearly completed Sharon Lake Improvement Project – will remake the lakeside area with new amenities, expanded access and updated recreation spaces designed to draw visitors closer to the water. When complete, the harbor will feature an educational amphitheater, nature-integrated play areas, a new permanent boathouse, a refreshed snack bar, expanded parking and updated restrooms.

To cover the cost of the project, Great Parks secured private funding support from the James J. and Joan A. Gardner Family Foundation, with the remainder funded through voter-supported capital project levy dollars dedicated to master plan priorities. 

Great Parks didn’t release dollar amounts.

“At Sharon Woods Harbor, we’ve created a design that highlights the lake’s beauty and opens dramatic new recreation opportunities on and near the water,” said Todd Palmeter, Great Parks CEO. 

“The harbor will become the type of outstanding park experience people want from their Great Parks,” he continued. “When added to the new destination playground we opened in 2024, and improvements to the lake, our guests will be getting a new park at Sharon Woods.”

Enhancing all elements of Sharon Woods

Community and stakeholder input gathered through Great Parks’ Park and Facility Master Plans identified the aging harbor area as a priority for revitalization. The redesign aims to improve access and expand recreation around the lake while limiting environmental impacts, according to Great Parks, which serves all of Hamilton County.

To improve access from Kemper Road and increase parking capacity, crews have selectively removed a small number of trees. After crews finish construction, Great Parks will plant new trees and native landscaping around the harbor.

Construction on the redesigned harbor will begin in the fall, with completion and reopening planned for spring 2028. In the meantime, Great Parks will open a temporary boathouse in late May at the Sharon Woods Lakeside Lodge on the east side of the lake to maintain water access during construction.  The existing harbor boathouse will remain closed during construction of the permanent structure.

This project looks to build on the in-progress Sharon Lake Improvement Project, which is adding new boardwalks, an accessible kayak launch, restored wetlands and the Sharon Lake Trail. Great Parks had planned to reopen the lake in late February, but freezing conditions in late January and February delayed the installation of floating amenities and other final improvements. It now expects it to open by the fourth week of March.

Due to the projects, Great Parks officials noted that visitors can expect some, hopefully limited trail and traffic impacts. After the Sharon Lake Trail reopens, the full 2.6-mile loop will remain open through October. Because the trail runs through the harbor area, an approximately 0.18-mile section will close beginning in November until construction is complete. The Kemper Road entrance will also temporarily close in the fall, though the Lebanon Road entrance will remain open. 

Updates on temporary closures and the both projects will be available at GreatParks.org.