Spring turns Cleveland Metroparks more than 23,000 acres green. The warmer months bring a surge of walkers, bikers and hikers out to explore the reservations, trails, golf courses, lakefront parks, dining and retail venues and nationally acclaimed Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.
The trails of the Emerald Necklace
With more than 300 miles of trails including over 100 miles of paved all-purpose trails, Cleveland Metroparks continues to improve connections and build on park founder William Stinchcomb’s vision of an inter-connected Emerald Necklace.
In addition to paved trails, Cleveland Metroparks has also added several new natural surface trails including the West Channel Pond Trail in Rocky River Reservation that features elevated accessible boardwalks. The new half-mile Lookout Ridge Trail in West Creek Reservation offers a unique view of the skyline of Cleveland from its overlook.
Education and recreation in nature
Cleveland Metroparks is a place to learn and get active, offering thousands of programs and events each year across the 48 communities it serves. Educators at the zoo, parks, and golf courses offer remarkably diverse, hands-on education opportunities to create connections to nature and promote conservation and sustainability. Naturalists provide free or low-cost nature programming for all ages from preschool to seniors at locations throughout the Emerald Necklace. Educational opportunities for children include nature preschool, summer nature camps, and more.
For those looking to get active, Cleveland Metroparks Outdoor Experiences division offers diverse recreation and nature education programs year-round including hiking, mountain biking, stand up paddleboarding, kayaking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.
Dining and rentals
Cleveland Metroparks also offers unique dining opportunities such as Merwin’s Wharf, located along Cuyahoga River's Irishtown Bend and offering fresh, locally sourced menu items. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, Cleveland Metroparks offers several additional dining opportunities including E. 55th on the lake, Emerald Necklace Café and more.
Cleveland Metroparks also offers more than 75 rental facilities. From waterfalls and castles to lakefront sites and the state-of-the-art Stillwater Place at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, there are a number of interesting, unique places for special events.
Take time to explore clevelandmetroparks.com.
