Staff photo / Bob Coupland A new nature center is being worked on at Mosquito Lake State Park in Bazetta, which is scheduled to be completed in spring 2026. The project is being organized by the Friends of Mosquito Lake State Park. From left are Steve Craiger, officer at large for the friends, Matt Sloan and Matt Balut, committee members for the friends group, and Jason Lee, park naturalist.

BAZETTA — The Friends of Mosquito Lake State Park have been preparing a new nature center at the park.

Plans are for the new facility to open in the spring of 2026.

Jason Lee, a park naturalist, said last year he was in contact with Pymatuning Lake KOA campground, which was getting rid of some cabins.

“I approached the Mosquito Lake Friends group to see if they would be interested in purchasing two old cabins to renovate. That started the project,” Lee said.

Matt Sloan, a member of the Friends of Mosquito Lake State Park, said the cabins have been gutted and are in the process of being made into space for use.

Lee said the cabins will serve a dual purpose. The one cabin will be used as a classic nature center, where visitors can come inside to see displays and exhibits of the local wildlife.

Lee said there will be skulls and pelts of local wildlife, which have been donated by farmers and hunters.

The second cabin will be used as an educational classroom, where hunter safety and boating safety courses will take place. That cabin also will host wildlife lectures.

There will also be a deck area between the two cabins for activities.

“We have some wildlife shows of between 100 and 200 people and need to be outside, but there are smaller programs that can be held inside the cabins,” Lee said.

“The boater education classes have about 10 to 15 people. I have held those classes at different locations. This will provide a location for the classes which is closer to the lake.”

Lee said the park’s snakes and turtles will be housed at the center.

Steve Craiger, a member of the Friends of Mosßquito Lake State Park and officer-at-large, said there will also be a small pond area and waterway with natural vegetation and birdhouses with cameras on them near the center.

“We want people to come here and have a better understanding of what it takes to maintain the natural habitat. This will help educate people on what it takes for an animal or bird to exist here,” Craiger said.

Lee said a lot of the programs the park offers, such as birding weekends, will utilize the center for a meeting location.

Craiger said he went with Lee to Pymatuning to look at the cabins.

He said the arrangement allows the park to have a nature center despite budget cuts at the state level.

“These cabins will be perfect for us,” Craiger said.

Sloan said the cabins were set and the deck was put in last fall.

Lee said the project has received community help with donation of recycled wood for the deck from Warzella Construction.

Craiger said the Trumbull Soil and Water Conservation District has committed to placing displays at the center.

He said a future goal will be to raise funds or get donations to have a roof or covering over the deck area so it can be used for most of the year.

Craiger said $100,000 will be needed to complete the project with the roof at $50,000.

He said because there is not currently water or electricity at the location, there are plans to put in a transformer.

“Being open to the public, we can have our volunteers be here to help people who stop by. This center will provide an opportunity for people to get back to nature,” Lee said.

Craiger said volunteers will be able to staff the buildings.

Sloan said in addition to monetary donations the friends can also use help with labor with drywall and construction at the site.

Craiger said the center is located a short distance from the shooting and archery range, campgrounds and amphitheater.

“We are one of the largest day parks in Northeast Ohio. People can come and spend the day at the park,” Lee said.

For information on how to help or donate contact Craiger at 330-442-1025.