Space parks show to be playgrounds for winter enjoyable

by Emily Canning-Dean 

Summer could be the most well-liked season for visiting a few of northeast Ohio’s parks, however winter nonetheless affords a mess of alternatives for having enjoyable with household and having fun with nature. 

“We do have higher visitation in the summer, but people do like to visit the park year-round, and in the winter, it’s like the park has a bit of a different personality,” stated Pamela Barnes, public info officer for Cuyahoga Valley National Park. “All of our trails are open for cross country skiing in the winter and hiking in the park can be so quiet and peaceful in the winter.” 

While these excited by cross nation snowboarding must deliver their very own tools, Barnes stated snowshoes and mountain climbing polescould be borrowed totally free on the Boston Mill Visitor Center when snow is 4 inches or deeper. Before visiting, it’s a good suggestion to verify the customer’s middle working hours. 

The Ledges Trail is a well-liked space for scenic mountain climbing because of the dramatic icicles that may kind on the rocks. Park officers remind guests to make use of warning the place ice and packed snow could make footing hazardous. 

Hikers additionally ought to seek the advice of path maps earlier than venturing into unfamiliar areas and inform household or associates of supposed places and estimated instances of return. Visitors shouldn’t climb on the rocks on the ledges and will keep again from the bluff edges. 

Ice fishing on the park’s lakes and ponds can yield large-mouth bass, crappie and bluegill. Ice thickness is just not monitored, so company ought to be additional cautious when venturing on to the ice. Park officers encourage catch and launch fishing to take care of the fish populations within the space. 

Barnes stated sledding is offered at Kendall Hills on Quick Road in Peninsula, which is about one mile east of Akron Peninsula Road. Parking is offered at Pine Hollow, Crow Foot Gully and Little Meadow parking heaps. 

“The sledding hills can actually get really busy when it’s snowy,” Barnes stated. “We have some pretty good-sized hills there plus there are restrooms and a fireplace so it’s great for families.” 

More close by thrills and spills

For these excited by downhill snowboarding or snow tubing, Barnes stated each Brandywine Ski Resort in Sagamore Hills and Boston Mills Ski Resort in Peninsula provide these enjoyable winter actions. Polar Blast Snow Tubing Park can be positioned subsequent to Brandywine. For details about hours and tools rental, name 330-467-2242.

For those that get pleasure from journey and thrills, the toboggan season is open at The Chalet in Mill Stream Run Reservation in Strongsville. Two 700-foot refrigerated ice chutes function with or with out snow by means of late February climate allowing. 

“The chutes are great for people who enjoy that physical kind of thrill they get from roller coasters,” stated Chris Regotti of Cleveland Metroparks. “There is no minimum age to enjoy the toboggans, but their height needs to be at least 42 inches and everyone riding needs to wear gloves or mittens that cover their fingertips.” 

Regotti stated he extremely recommends guests make a reservation to make use of the chutes. 

“When you make a reservation, that is your check-in time and you’re free to ride the chutes as many times as you want,” he stated. “We have our own toboggans and up to four can ride on a sled.” 

Tickets are $15 for adults and $13 for teenagers 11 and youthful. Currently the chutes are open from 6-9 p.m. Friday evenings and from midday to five p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 

“We will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but we will have holiday hours Dec. 20 through Jan. 4 where we will be open from noon to 5 p.m. daily,” Regotti stated. 

Regotti stated the toboggan chutes have been a winter enjoyable custom within the park for almost 60 years and added the chutes have been renovated within the early 2000s. 

“We have a lot of families who come to enjoy the fun every year. We even have people coming from as far away as Cincinnati,” he stated. “Our concession stand is also open so people can take a break to enjoy things like hot chocolate, chicken tenders and popcorn. The Chalet building is also open so people can go upstairs and take some time to just enjoy the view.” Regotti stated anybody who desires to make a reservation can go to clevelandmetroparks.com. 

Photo caption: Young park guests benefit from the “pretty good-sized hills” out there for sledding at Kendall Hills in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, positioned on Quick Road in Peninsula. Photo submitted.