Exploring the Great Outdoors in Northeast Ohio: Parks & Recreation in The Plus

Posted by ThePlus - 06.07.2010

Anchored by the renowned Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Northeast Ohio is home to an extensive network of parks and recreational areas, making The Plus region a great place to live, work and play. Offering more than 275 miles of biking trails, 150 parks and 300 golf courses, there is no shortage of ways to enjoy the great outdoors in Northeast Ohio.

Protecting nearly 33,000 acres, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the country. In fact, it receives more than 2.8 million visitors each year. The Cuyahoga River serves as the backbone of the park, running twenty-two miles through the Cuyahoga Valley. From hiking to enjoying a ride on the scenic railroad, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park has something to offer everyone.

Covering areas throughout The Plus region, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park has many diverse locations to visit. Beaver Marsh, Brandywine Falls, Everett Road Covered Bridge, Jaite Mill and Towpath Trail are just a few of the places to see. Brandywine Falls is one of the most popular attractions found in the park, which features a 60-foot waterfall. Towpath Trail is another destination for many as it is the major trail found in the Cuyahoga Valley.

While the Cuyahoga Valley National Park is the centerpiece of Northeast Ohio’s park system, The Plus region boasts an array of additional parks and recreational areas. Below are some of the local park systems located right here in The Plus region.

+Cleveland Metroparks:
• The Cleveland Metroparks include 14 reservations and over 20,000 acres of land. Visitors to the Cleveland Metroparks can enjoy swimming, fishing, golfing, boating, cross country skiing, horseback riding, sledding, and tobogganing in addition to miles of paved and dirt trails.

+Geauga Park District:
• The Geauga Park District is home to 12 parks and 6,000 acres. Geauga’s Park District is great a great place for fishing, horseback riding, sledding, boating, cross country skiing and camping.

+Lake Metroparks:
• Encompassing 26 parks and reservations, Lake Metroparks boasts a lakefront beach, a 4.4 mile bike trail, golf courses, educational programs, and multiple nature centers.

+Lorain County Metroparks:
• With 15 parks and 6,500 acres, the Lorain County Metroparks features the Schoepfle Garden, which contains 70 acres of botanical gardens.

+Metroparks Serving Summit County:
• Metroparks Serving Summit County maintains 12 parks and 8,666 acres. The park system features a 33-mile Bike & Hike trail and 13 miles of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail.

+Mill Creek Metroparks:
• Located in the Mahoning Valley, Mill Creek Park stretches over 2,600 acres. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking, biking, picnicking, boating, Par-3, or championship golf, tennis, sand volleyball and more.

+Medina County Park District:
• Medina County is home to 14 parks that conduct year-long programs such as Star Gazing Parties, speakers, and an Exploring Nature Series.

+Portage Park District:
• The Portage Park District operates four parks throughout Portage County. Towner’s Woods Park covers 175 acres and is located at the site of a 2,000 year-old Hopewell Indian Mound.

+Stark County Park District:
• Stark County maintains 10 facilities which feature two educational centers as well as outdoor, cultural and ecological programs.

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