Exploring Culture & History

Cleveland Metroparks connects visitors with their natural and cultural history heritage.

Parks

Bedford Reservation

This reservation features a deep gorge -- declared a National Natural Landmark -- carved out by Tinker’s Creek, with picturesque vistas and waterfalls. Mature trees and abundant wildflowers are found...
Big Creek Reservation

A major component of Big Creek Reservation is Big Creek Parkway, a refreshing alternative to the standard suburban commuter routes to Cleveland. The reservation runs parallel to Pearl Road from Valley...
Brecksville Reservation

From the oak-hickory forests on the ridge tops to the cottonwoods, willows and sycamores of Chippewa Creek's flat floodplain, Brecksville Reservation is a study of contrasts. The reservation is deeply...
Brookside Reservation

Brookside Reservation was one of the City of Cleveland's oldest neighborhood parks before its acquisition by Cleveland Metroparks in 1993. The land was purchased in 1894 and has been a center for recr...
Lakefront Reservation

Experience Lake Erie in all its glory. Go fishing, witness the great seasonal bird migrations, have a picnic, try stand up paddle board, or take a bike ride along the lake shore.
North Chagrin Reservation

Since the 1920s, North Chagrin Reservation has been a special combination of outdoor recreation areas and wildlife sanctuaries. North Chagrin trails and picnic areas feature woodlands and wetlands as...
Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation

The Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation stretches through the villages of Cuyahoga Heights and Valley View and other surrounding communities. The reservation follows a portion of its namesake, the historic...
Rocky River Reservation

Rocky River Reservation is located in Berea, Brook Park, Cleveland, Fairview Park, Lakewood, North Olmsted, Olmsted Township, and Rocky River. The first land purchased for Cleveland Metroparks — a 3.8...
South Chagrin Reservation

Rugged trails lead you through hemlock forests, sandstone ledges, coldwater creeks and ravines. The Chagrin River, designated as a Scenic River, borders the eastern edge of the reservation. Sites rich...
Washington Reservation

Located in Newburgh Heights the 59-acre Washington Reservation is Cleveland Metroparks 15th reservation. Golf enthusiasts will enjoy an Audubon Certified nine-hole golf course, a First Tee of Clevelan...
West Creek Reservation

While neighborhoods surrounding most of the nine-mile West Creek are densely developed, this 469-acre reservation preserves a valley of rocky gorges, forest-draped hillsides, floodplains and babbling...

Attractions

A.B. Williams Memorial Woods

Wander through a dense maze of giant trees in this stunning example of an old growth beech-maple forest. A.B. Williams, Cleveland Metroparks first naturalist, embraced these woods as he conducted his...
Brecksville Nature Center

Want to discover deep forested ravines, walk through a restored Ohio prairie with grasses over eight feet tall, or explore glacial river valleys carved over 10,000 years ago? Brecksville Nature Center...
CanalWay Center

Visit the center to discover the connection between nature and history. Whether you are looking for a place to relax, find out about recreation opportunities or enjoy an educational program, you shoul...
Cherry Grove Picnic Area

Cherry Grove Picnic Area is located along the south side of John Nagy Blvd. in Brookside Reservation, off Ridge Road north of Memphis Avenue in the Old Brooklyn neighborhood of Cleveland.
Coast Guard Station

This historic location provides amazing views of Cleveland.
Closed for the season

Edgewater Beach House

The Edgewater Beach House brings an enhanced beach-vibe through made-to-order beachside fare and treats and a seasonal outdoor bar with the best view in town.
Forbes Woods

This reclaimed natural area has a short loop trail with views of a wooded ravine. In 2016, a connector trail was added from Forbes Woods to Hawthorn Parkway that cuts through the ravine and has severa...
Frostville Museum

Frostville Museum is a living history of 19th century Ohio. It is located at 24101 Cedar Point Road, North Olmsted, OH 44070 at the corner of Cedar Point and Lewis Roads in Cleveland Metroparks in Roc...
Heritage Park

Heritage Park is along the banks of the Cuyahoga river adjacent to Canal Basin Park. New day-use boat slips offer recreational boaters opportunities to explore Cleveland's riverfront trails, restauran...
Lake Abram Marsh

Lake Abram is the largest remaining glacial wetland in Cuyahoga County. With its surrounding marsh and upland areas, Lake Abram makes up 80 acres of unique and critical wildlife habitat that is home t...
Lake Isaac

Classified as a glacial pothole created thousands of years ago, Lake Isaac Waterfowl Sanctuary serves as an important refuge for migrating waterfowl. The surrounding woodlands provide habitat for red...
Lawrence Grist Mill

Built in 1832, the Lawrence Grist Mill provided flour and grist milling services to local residents. Evidence of the structure is still visible today. The Lawrence Grist Mill utilized the power from t...
Look About Lodge

Located in scenic South Chagrin Reservation, Look About Lodge is a beautiful log cabin built from more than 300 chestnut logs. The Lodge was built in 1938 as the meeting place for the Cleveland Natura...
North Chagrin Nature Center

Centered between Sunset Pond and Sanctuary Marsh, North Chagrin Nature Center is the educational hub of North Chagrin Reservation. The center features a variety of native live-animal exhibits, a child...
Rocky River Nature Center

Nestled in the Rocky River Valley, Rocky River Nature Center offers spectacular views of a 360 million year old shale cliff from the deck overhanging the river. Go backwards through time inside the Na...
Smoky Memorial

Smoky Memorial celebrates Smoky, a Yorkshire Terrier that aided troops during WWII and later became the world’s first therapy dog on record.
Squire Rich Museum

Squire Rich Museum is operated by the Brecksville Historical Society and is open Sunday afternoons from 1 - 5 p.m. June through October.
Squire's Castle Picnic Area

Squire's Castle Picnic Area is located off Chagrin River Road in North Chagrin Reservation, south of Chardon Road/Route 6 in Willoughby Hills.
Stinchcomb-Groth Memorial

Stinchcomb-Groth Memorial, a 30-foot tower made of cinder block and sandstone, was dedicated in 1958 to the first two directors of Cleveland Metroparks, William Stinchcomb and Harold Groth. Together,...
Tyler Barn

Born in 1835, Washington S. Tyler was one of Cleveland's most successful businessmen and founder of the Tyler Company, a pioneer in the introduction of wire specialties. Tyler Barn was part of the fam...
USS Maine & American Legion Memorial

Reflect on the history and contributions of armed forces personnel and view a USS Maine battleship relic. Located at the entrance to Washington Reservation, these memorials serve as a reminder of our...
Viaduct Park

Bedford's history began here as the power of the Great Falls of Tinker's Creek was harnessed between 1821-1913 for a saw mill, grist mill and electric power plant. Families such as the Benedict's, Wil...
Watershed Stewardship Center

Watershed Stewardship Center, located in the West Creek Reservation, is the first facility in Cleveland Metroparks dedicated to scientific research and promoting sustainable action. Science-based prog...