Royal Lake

Royal Lake Park is a 46-acre park adjacent to Glen Cove. The park has a J-shaped, 38-acre lake. There are street entries and parking lots at each end of the “J.” The park also is accessible from area hiking trails, two of which originate in Glen Cove.

Lakeside Park is near the top of the J at the Pommeroy Drive entrance to Royal Lake, where there are picnic tables, a playground, a basketball court, a multi-purpose athletic field, trashcans and parking. A one and three-quarter mile loop trail around the lake begins from the parking lot. You can stretch that to almost two miles by taking optional side trails, such as hiking along the top of the nearly quarter-mile dam instead of along its base. Bikes are prohibited on the natural-surface trail, which has steep grades in spots, steps, quite a few tree roots, and even a tree or two in the middle of the path. There are a few benches along the trail for a quick rest.

The developed area at Royal Lake Park off Eastlake Drive on the short, northwest wing of the lake’s J-shape includes a parking lot, a playground, a basketball court and tennis courts. The maintenance access road leading to the lake is not available for boat launching. Concerts are held next to the lake in the summer.

The park is home to many local and migrating animals and wildlife watchers may see turtles, beaver, squirrels, ducks, geese and other waterfowl.

The 38-acre was dredged in 2016 to increase its flood capacity. As a result of the project, the lake now has two artificial island currently under development. Wildlife populations has either recovered or been restocked since the dredging completion.

The Park Authority occasionally conducts nature programs at Royal Lake, including campfire programs. The park has a Friends support group – The Friends of Royal Lake.