4 minute read
GET OUTSIDE
from City Life 2022
Cleveland’s Neighborhoods Offer Opportunities for Recreation and Culture
No matter where you live in Cleveland, adventure awaits.
NO ONE APPRECIATES A BEAUTIFUL DAY LIKE CLEVELANDERS. A sparkling lake, blue skies, shady lush parks — and lots of people out riding bikes, strolling through neighborhoods, kayaking, playing ball and walking dogs. Whether it is a self-guided tour of city streets to see artwork or astounding architecture or a run along the waterfront, Cleveland’s outdoor opportunities add to the city’s livability.
ENJOY OUR PARKS
Recent, extraordinary projects involving Cleveland Metroparks have greatly added to Clevelanders’ access and enjoyment of the outdoors. Mary Rouse, director of outdoor experiences for the park district, points to the completion of the Towpath Trail in 2021 that gives cyclists, hikers, history buffs and nature lovers continuous a 104-mile path from Lake Erie south. Also, the 500-foot-long Wendy Park Bridge now links Ohio City with lakefront parks, including Whiskey Island and Edgewater Park. In addition, the new Lindsey Family Play Space in Edgewater Park is a nature play area for kids, with boulders, sand and water, as well as climbing features.
Cleveland Metroparks also has partnered with the City of Cleveland to provide outdoor experiences and skill building opportunities, including nature hikes, clean-ups, backpacking and paddlesports. Sonya PryorJones, the City’s chief of Youth and Family Success, says seniors are not forgotten when it comes to outdoor activities. Summer Senior Walks encourage older residents to walk their East Side or West Side neighborhoods. Individuals from public safety and the Department of Aging accompany the seniors.
2022 GARDENWALK CLEVELAND
GardenWalk Cleveland 2022 is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, July 9, and Sunday, July 10.
Saturday’s neighborhoods are Fairfax, Glenville, West Park, Old Brooklyn and Tremont. Sunday’s are Collinwood, Little Italy, Broadway/Slavic Village, Clifton-Baltic and Detroit Shoreway.
The event, featuring about 300 private home and community gardens and green spaces, is free and open to the public. “GardenWalk Cleveland” signs will be posted in participating gardens and neighborhood information will be located in each area. Go to gardenwalkcleveland.org for more information. Bring an umbrella in case of rain.
Marie Kittredge, GardenWalk Cleveland president, is ready show off her own garden with its amazing, colorful flowers. Here, she answers some questions:
won’t), you won’t have time to see everything. Pick a neighborhood that interests you. Some neighborhood gardens are clustered. But it’s worth it to visit some of the far-flung gardens. They may have something special to see like beekeeping or raising chickens.”
Q. WHAT’S THE PURPOSE OF GARDENWALK?
A. “We really try to focus on neighborhood pride and gardeners’ creativity. We are not trying to show the biggest dahlia or fanciest pergola. It’s about what people imagine and their hard work. The gardens are all different — some simple, some fancy. But they all feed the soul of the gardener.”
Q. WHAT’S THE INSPIRATION?
A. “Some gardeners do it because they love to be outside and are nurtured by nature. Others enjoy creating something beautiful out of nothing. Others like to be experimental and have interesting plants and unusual cultivators.”
Q. WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE?
A. “If you talk to every gardener (some people will be in their gardens, others
— JILL SELL
BIKE CLEVELAND
More than 1,000 riders participated in the Bike Cleveland Fundo last year, a fundraiser for the nonprofit advocacy group. This year Jason Kuhn, communications and events manager for Bike Cleveland, expects to see even more participants at the August 27 event that begins and ends at Edgewater Park. Riders have their choice of clearly marked courses of 10, 30 or 60 miles. Cyclists can pedal any kind of bike, including touring, mountain, three-wheelers, BMX and Class 1 electric bikes. Rest stops, support vehicles and a lakeside, post-ride meal add to the day’s comfort and enjoyment.
But Bike Cleveland is more than just a one-day event. The organization provides information to anyone who is interested in cycling for recreation or uses it as a means of transportation.
“The bike network in Cleveland adds about 10 to 15 miles each year, and that’s good,” says Kuhn. “But in our next phase we would like to see a protected network as well. Some people think bike lanes are just for recreation. But you would be surprised how many people ride bikes in Cleveland either because they are car-free by choice, because they can’t afford a car or they rely on other methods of transportation. We want to make sure there are safe opportunities for everyone.”
EXPLORE THE CITY ON FOOT
Rather walk than bike? No problem. Take A Hike Walking Tours in downtown Cleveland and historic neighborhoods is a marvelous way to learn more about Cleveland’s past, what’s happening now and maybe see into the future. Self-guided and in-person tours (the latter beginning in June) are available. Fourteen different tours highlight cultural sites, legacy architecture, local history and progress.
New this year are the Ohio City and the Superior Arts District Tours. Both tours will be available in August and September. Last year, Tremont, North Coast Harbor, Grand Department Stores and Historic Hotel Tours were added to the roster of free, 60-minute tours.
“Along the way, you’ll see companion videos and meet professional actors who portray individuals who contributed in some way to Cleveland,” says Eileen Cassidy, vice president and chief operating officer for Neighborhood Engagement at the Downtown Cleveland Alliance.
