Willard offers several reasons to stay: Willard Reservoir, with activities on the water; park amenities; and a local history with a clear connection to the year 1917. At the reservoir, the focus is on exercise and water; a Storybook Walk and other park amenities offer different points of interest for planning.

Activities at Willard Reservoir

Willard Reservoir has a surface area of 199 acres and a shoreline of 2.3 miles. The two measurements describe different aspects of the body of water: its area and the length of its shore. Activities at the reservoir include walking, running, fishing, cycling, and kayaking. This range lets you plan your visit around a type of exercise or your interest in the water. A kayak launch was added in 2019. Before using it, check its condition, and learn about local rules before taking part in recreational activities.

Storybook Walk and Park Amenities

A Storybook Walk with 18 stations was set up along Pepperidge Path in Willard Park in 2025. The park trail, with its sequence of individual stations, offers a different focus from the recreational activities at the reservoir. Willard City Park also has a 9-hole disc golf course. Willard’s first dog park was also added in 2025. If you plan to use any of these amenities, check the condition of the Storybook Walk and dog park, as well as the availability of the disc golf course, before your visit.

Cycling and the City Bike-Share Program

Cycling features in Willard in two different contexts: it is one of the recreational activities at the reservoir, while the city bike-share program includes specific bicycles and a designated pickup location. For the program, the city acquired two Verve+ 2 Lowstep pedal-assist e-bikes and four Verve+ Electra Townie Original bicycles. The bikes were intended to be available for pickup at the Willard Memorial Library. If you would like to include bike share in your transportation plans, check in advance whether the bikes are currently available.

Local History and Hotel Search

In 1917, the name Willard was adopted in honor of Daniel Willard, president of the B&O Railroad. A September 2019 description by the Firelands Historical Society placed the Willard Historical Museum in the Depot in the Park, not far from Main Street. If you would like to include the museum in your plans, check in advance whether it is currently open to visitors. The name change and the dated location reference for the museum offer two different ways to explore the city’s history.

For a specific hotel, check its location and amenities, and take the notes about condition or availability into account if you plan to do any of the activities mentioned. This way, you can start your search with the reason for your trip and your own priorities.

For the broader travel overview: Huron County.