I've spent the majority of my life a mile or so away from Edgewater Park. This former state park sits on Lake Erie just west of downtown Cleveland.
Edgewater State Park has had some bad press over the years. Crime and vandalism dominated most conversations about our beloved place. This did not stop many Clevelanders from utilizing the park. Myself included.
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| 2007-ish |
When the discussions started about changes to the park, I was living within walking distance. I often felt I was taking my life in my hands when I would walk over so I was excited about any improvements.
I was also wary how it would affect my drive to work among other things. It wasn't long after that we moved into neighboring suburb; promptly forgetting about the lakefront improvements.
In 2013, the Cleveland Metroparks took over Edgewater and several other state run parks along the lake. Small changes started happening. Good changes. Until it was announced that the express way that runs beside the park was going to change. It started with the speed limit. My once ten-minute drive to work doubled.
Shortly after the speed change happened, construction started. Or, demolition. For the last several years we west-siders have weaved in and out of construction barrels, sat in traffic jams that were uncommon for this span of road, and watched as our lakefront started to change.
And, all of it was worth it.
We have been rewarded with a brand new beach house and tunnels that connect the neighborhood to the park. The park has never been cleaner or prettier. Talks of crime and vandalism have been replaced with praise for the Cleveland Metroparks.
The proof is in the pictures.
This past Saturday, Cleveland Metroparks threw a fantastic party for the city. Despite the rain that threatened to stop it, there was music, food trucks, and the most spectacular display of fireworks.
Keep up to date with the Metroparks on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well as my weekly Northeast Ohio calendar of events.
