Carpets of color or solitary works of art...

Spring wildflowers are one of nature’s most anticipated events as winter fades away. These plants have a burst of growth and bloom after the snow melts, before the trees leaf out and block the nourishing sunlight. These colorful signs of spring last a short time, so explore Lake Metroparks and enjoy the show!

Blooms begin in early April and last into June, but typically the best times to view large numbers or a good variety of wildflowers are the last week of April and the first week of May. To see the greatest variety of flowers, visit the parks more than once during their short blooming season.

Spring wildflowers can be seen in almost every park, but the following have the best displays or easiest access:

Hogback Ridge Park (HR) – Follow the boardwalk on Hemlock Ridge Loop Trail or venture down 140 steps to the floodplain and the Bluebell Valley Path

Indian Point Park (IP) – Drive along Seeley Road by the bridge

Big Creek at Liberty Hollow (LH) – The short trail along the Big Creek floodplain hosts a wide variety of spring wildflowers

Penitentiary Glen Reservation (PG) – A short paved trail leads to the Wildflower Garden near the gorge overlook deck; others bloom along the Kirtland-Connector Trail

Wildflower descriptions are listed according to their blooming times, starting with the earliest:

Bloodroot blooms in early April and gets its name from its red sap. 

IP, LH, PG • April 1–20 

Spring beauty is one of the more hardy spring wildflowers and may be
found growing in untreated lawns as well as their traditional woodland home.
HR, IP, LH, PG • April 1–May 10 

Trout lily leaves are mottled, with a pattern similar to a trout. Another common 

name is Adder’s tongue, referring to the fruit that resembles a snake’s head. 

HR, IP, LH, PG • April 15-May 1

Squirrel corn, with lacy fernlike leaves, has nodules on the roots that 

look like corn kernels. This flower is a wild cousin of the 

garden variety bleeding heart. HR, IP, LH • April 15–May 5

Large-flowered trillium, Ohio’s state Wildflower, is a favorite food for deer
and is rarely found in areas with large deer populations.
HR, IP, LH, PG • April 15–May 15

Virginia bluebells are often seen as a blue sea of flowers, carpeting floodplains 

near streams. The flower buds are pink and become blue as they open. 

HR, IP, LH, PG • April 20–May 15

Wild geraniums prefer floodplain areas and are also known as
spotted cranesbill, because the stamen resembles the bill of a crane. 

The word “geranium” means crane in Greek.  

HR, IP, LH, PG • April 25–May 15

Wild blue phlox is a distant ancestor of the garden phlox. It was 

taken back to Europe by early settlers, cultivated there, 

and brought back as a garden plant. 

HR, IP, LH, PG • May 1–20 

Jack-in-the-pulpit can live in drier woods where other flowers 

don’t thrive. They are not a favorite food for deer, so they are 

often found in parks that have few other wildflowers. 

HR, IP, LH, PG • May 1-June 1

The distinct umbrella-like leaves of the Mayapple are often seen 

in April, but the blooms do not normally arrive until mid-May. 

Its fruit is a preferred wildlife food. 

HR, IP, LH, PG • May 5–June 1

Guide to Spring Wildflowers in Lake Metroparks (PDF)

Beat the Heat with Wet Feet

Lake Metroparks is fortunate to have a multitude of parks that provide access to our local rivers and Lake Erie.  During the heat of summer some of these locations offer great opportunities to cool off with a hike through the water.  Our local waters are important homes for many plants and animals, so while hiking around keep your eyes open for fish, frogs, crayfish or even a Bald Eagle. 

The following are some of our favorite places for a creek or river hike:

Indian Point Park – From the lower parking lot you can readily enter Paine Creek.  You can hike upstream to the Seeley Road bridge or take a shorter, easier hike downstream where the stream empties into the Grand River.

Helen Hazen Wyman Park – Kellogg Creek, Big Creek and the Grand River all come together at this park.  The best creek hiking though is in Big Creek where the clear shallow waters offer excellent opportunities to explore. 

Hidden Valley Park – The Grand River is the largest and deepest river in the county, but just beyond the shelter is a wide, shallow area perfect for wading.  So grab the family and some hot dogs for a picnic and an afternoon of splashing in the river.

Lake Erie has some great natural beaches to walk along while the waves splash at your feet.  Our favorite locations are:

Lake Erie Bluffs – The longest stretch of natural Lake Erie beach in the park district offers you a chance to walk the .71-miles from one park entrance to the other.  Keep cool by walking along the edge of the surf, while experiencing this amazing natural area.

Lakeshore Reservation – Two sets of stairs border a stretch of natural Lake Erie beach nearly a half mile long.  You can sit in the shade of some of the overhanging trees or wade into the lake to cool off. 

For more information and directions to the parks, visit lakemetroparks.com.

 

Don't make your vehicle a target!

Misfortune can strike anyone anywhere. Thefts from a vehicle can happen while you are at work, at the park, at the store, and even at your own home. If the vehicle is forcibly entered, you will have to pay for repairs or insurance fees in addition to the loss of the stolen items. One of the best ways not to become a victim is to plan ahead carefully and follow some commonsense safety precautions in your daily routine:

• Lock your car doors, even when parked in your own driveway.
• If you know you are just going to the park to walk or exercise leave unnecessary items like electronics, important  identification, mail, unneeded cash, credit cards, etc. at home.
• Do not leave valuables (or things that look of value) such as  purses/tote bags, wallets, laptops, tools or cell phones in plain view. If you know you are going to be driving somewhere and  parking your car, put valuables in the trunk before you leave as not to draw attention to your car.
• Keep detailed lists (in a safe location at home) of the items  you frequently carry, such as account numbers, credit cards, gas cards, etc. and the proper contact numbers to call to cancel your account. Also list the make, model and serial numbers for electronics such as cell phones, digital cameras, laptops and portable music players.
• Park somewhere you feel comfortable, like a busy, highly visible area.
• Remember your pets are valuable too. Do not leave pets in parked cars even for short periods if the temperature is in the 60s or higher. Rolling down a window doesn’t guarantee protection either, pets could escape, be taken from the vehicle or passer-bys could be bitten.
• Have your keys in your hand as you approach your vehicle and lock the doors once you’re inside.
• Be aware of park closure times which vary at some locations.

Report suspicious people or activities as they occur to the local police. If visiting a park, contact the Ranger Department at 440-354-3434, or 9-1-1 if it’s an emergency

Need somewhere to dispose of your Christmas Tree?

Christmas tree recycling drop off locations

Help us turn your undecorated Christmas tree into the compost used to preserve our natural resources by leaving it one of 15 conveniently located tree bins spread across the county. 

Please remove all decorations before placing trees in designated bins. Trees are chipped and the chips then composted or used as mulch within Lake Metroparks. 

Tree bins are available at the parks listed below, and will be removed about January 15. Click on the park name for park information, including driving directions:

• Chagrin River Park (Reeves Road entrance)
• Chapin Forest Reservation (east entrance/Rt. 306)
• Concord Woods Nature Park
• Erie Shores Golf Course
• Girdled Road Reservation (south entrance/Radcliffe Rd.)
• Grand River Landing
• Gully Brook Park
• Helen Hazen Wyman Park
• Hidden Valley Park
• NEW! Lake Erie Bluffs (Lane Road entrance)
• Lakeshore Reservation
• Parsons Gardens
• Penitentiary Glen Reservation
• Pete's Pond Preserve
• Veterans Park

Photo of Chair Factory Falls in background by Jeff Burcher Photography

Have you ever seen a Queen snake?

Queen snake

The Queen snake is a small, harmless snake that lives along rocky ponds and rivers, including the Grand River in Lake County.  They have the most specialized diet of any snake in Ohio, eating only crayfish.  These have become uncommon in Ohio, and they are protected as a Species of Concern. 

River Jamboree

Hidden Valley Park

Sunday, July 14 • 1 to 4 pm

To learn more about Queen snakes and the other reptiles and amphibians that live in the Grand River, swim, hop or slither down to the river at Lake Metroparks' annual River Jamboree. This year we will get up-close and personal with some of the Grand River’s more intimidating creatures: snakes, turtles, frogs and salamanders.

Head down to the river to look for

• Northern Water Snake
• Snapping Turtle
• Green Frog
• Bullfrog
• Pickerel Frog

Other activities:

• Live reptile and amphibians on display
• Get your feet wet on a guided search to find wild snakes, frogs and more
• Reptile and amphibian related games and activities
• Receive a FREE reptile or amphibian guide
• FREE Public Access of Waterways (Rivers edition) 
• Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Admission

Admission is free. Pre-registration is required. 

Cick here to register online or call registration at 

440-358-7275 or 800-669-9226.

The Nature Among Us

On display in Forest Hall
Penitentiary Glen Reservation
March 9 through May 5, 2013 • 9 am to 5 pm

Website

Thomas Koch is a local artist from Euclid, Ohio. He specializes in graphic design and illustration yet experiments with all types of media in an effort to exemplify his love and appreciation of nature. Check out “The Nature Among Us” and see how Koch has transformed your favorite animals and local park scenery into wonderful works of art! Artwork available for purchase; proceeds benefit the Penitentiary Glen Nature Center.

“The Nature Among Us” will be displayed in Forest Hall in the Nature Center at Penitentiary Glen Reservation in Kirtland. The show opens March 9 and runs through May 5. Hours are 9 am to 5 pm daily. 

Click here to view more images and to learn more about Penitentiary Glen Reservation.

Visitors are invited to meet Thomas Koch at a free opening reception on Saturday, March 9 from noon to 4 pm.

Penitentiary Glen Reservation is located at 8668 Kirtland-Chardon Rd in Kirtland. Take I-90 to Rt. 306 south for about one mile. Turn left onto Rt. 615. Turn right (east) onto Kirtland-Chardon Road and continue for two miles. Penitentiary Glen Reservation is located on the right (south) side of the road.