Residents of Sylvania and Sylvania Township can drive into
this park without a fee. Depending on the season, others may need
to pay. However, driving in isn't necessary to cache and entrance
is always free to anyone walking in. Pedestrian gates exist on the
north and west sides. On the west side, park near the north end of
the sports complex and exhibition center, on the north side, park
on the neighborhood street where the stream crosses N 41 41.835 W
083 42.667.
In 1961, when the extension of U.S. Route 23 expressway was
being planned, the contractor purchased this piece of land as a
source for fill dirt as needed for construction. Milton M. Olander,
president of the Sylvania Township park board, appealed to the
contractor to sell the property to the park board after its
usefullness was complete. Over a period of several years, dirt was
hauled from the site and a 25-30 acre spring-fed lake was created.
The property was sold to the park board in 1963. Over the next
decade, picnic areas were added, a swimming area was opened,
various buildings were constructed, and a hard-surfaced road was
completed. The park was named for Olander, who died in 1961, before
seeing his dream fulfilled.
The lake is stocked with rainbow trout twice a year by the
Ohio Dept Of Natural Resources. The day after stocking, a childrens
fishing derby is held in the morning, then its open for everyone to
fish. The trout are fun to catch and delicious to eat. "The
Bearclaws" have some good times around here and I wont tell our
favorite spots or fishing techniques (unless asked).
In 1976 the Bicentennial Wagon Train used Olander as an overnight
encampment on its cross country journey to Pennsylvania.
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