Cleveland Metroparks Weekly Spotlight

- Asian Lantern Festival presented by Meijer has been extended through September 16! The extension adds an additional 3 weeks where you can experience the record-breaking after-hours festival.

- Save the date: Tonight’s summer concert at Emerald Necklace Marina is canceled due to weather. Mark your calendars for the final stop on this summer’s free musical tour at Edgewater Beach next Thursday, August 31!

- Touch-a-Truck presented by CrossCountry Mortgage and supported by Serpentini Chevrolet is returning to Brookside Reservation on October 1! Families can see and explore big machines and vehicles including bucket trucks, front end loaders, bulldozers, excavators, backhoes, dump trucks, police cars and more!

Debuting The West Creek Watershed Mini Documentary

Mark your calendars for the West Creek Watershed Mini Documentary and Hike on Saturday, Sept. 2! Head out on the nearby trails of West Creek to discover some of the reservation's unique features and future plans, then head back to the nature center for a special screening of a brand new, 20-minute mini documentary that covers the inspiring story and vision of West Creek Reservation. If you can’t make it, you can view it now on Cleveland Metroparks YouTube page.

Ride Your Bike Through The Zoo At Wild Ride!

Wild Ride, a family-friendly cycling experience for all ages, returns Sunday, September 17 from 6 to 9 p.m. Guests can ride through the zoo on their bikes at this one-night-only after-hours event. The ride offers guests one last chance to experience the illuminated lanterns from this year’s festival from their bike. Bikes are required and tickets are on sale now!

Return To Nature

Cleveland Metroparks recently held its 10th Anniversary Bioblitz at Acacia Reservation! The Bioblitz, or biological survey of species, by event guests, volunteers and staff resulted in over 1,000 observations of 460 different species in Acacia Reservation alone. Since Acacia was transformed from golf course to park, experts estimate that the variety of habitats sustain double the number of species from pre-restoration conditions.

Upcoming Nature Programs

Fri., Aug. 25: Join the excitement as Olu Manns engages the audience in a traditional West African Drum Circle at Euclid Beach. Free.
 
Sat., Aug. 26:
- Discover some of the wildlife that call Tinker's Creek Gorge their home at Drop-By: Fur, Feathers, Fish & Frogs in Bedford Reservation. Free.
- Explore the world of the late summer woodland at Late Summer Wildflower Walk in Rocky River Reservation. Free.
- Drop-by the Watershed Stewardship Center to meet some of the native snake species that can be found in West Creek Reservation. Free.
- Join us on Little Walk in the Prairie as we explore blooming flowers, insect activity and more in Brecksville Reservation. Free.

Sun., Aug. 27:
- Embrace the beauty of the forest along the Scenic Loop Trail in North Chagrin Reservation as part of the scenic hiking series One Trail Twelve Times. Free.
- Join us at Fort Hill Hike the Easy Way in Rocky River Reservation to experience scenic views without the challenging climb to the top. Free.
- Experience the beauty of Lake Erie during a morning stand up paddleboard tour at Lake Erie Water Trail Sup Tour-Huntington. $30, registration required.

Mon., Aug. 28:
- Join a naturalist as we hike through Acacia Reservation in search of the different species of raptors that call it home at Raptor Hike. Free.
- Take the Washington Park History Walk and explore the park’s long history. Free.

Tues., Aug. 29: Experience the beauty of downtown Cleveland views from a kayak on Lake Erie at Lake Erie Water Trail Kayak Tour – E. 55th. $20, registration required.
 
Wed., Aug. 30: Join a naturalist on a hike under the full moon light at Full Blue Moon Hike in West Creek Reservation. Free.