2022 Interpreter’s Road Show in Cleveland!
Our two days spent exploring interpretive sites in the Greater Cleveland area had us stopping first at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes just a few minutes out of downtown. We toured the trails with staff and learned more about the visitors center and overall running of this non-profit facility nestled in a suburban neighborhood. Our next stop was along the Lake Erie shoreline on Cleveland's east side at Lake County Metroparks site called Penitentiary Glen. They have an expansive natural play area, a life-sized and seasonal candyland exhibit, a unique nature center in a repurposed building and an outdoor event/music venue that we visited. Before heading to dinner, we stopped by an east side of Cleveland landmark, Squire's Castle at Cleveland Metroparks North Chagrin Reservation.
On the second day, we started at the Cuyahoga Valley National Park where we saw two different interpretive facilities. The Canal Exploration Center is a hands-on, interactive center that tells the story of the Ohio-Erie Canal. This historical building has been renovated to provide great activities for organized groups while maintaining the integrity of the historical structure. We then moved to the Boston Mills Visitors Center which is a repurposed train station that now serves as a springboard for people wanting to explore the park. Before heading to lunch, we stopped at Brandywine Falls inside of the park for a quick photo op. The last stop of the NCDA Roadshow was at Cleveland Metroparks Rocky River Reservation. We explored the nature center building, talked to staff about their operations and took a guided hike culminating at some earthworks high upon a ridge overlooking the Rocky River.
Despite the less than sunny weather in northeast Ohio, the group's spirits were high and everyone enjoyed seeing these interpretive sites over two very full days.
On the second day, we started at the Cuyahoga Valley National Park where we saw two different interpretive facilities. The Canal Exploration Center is a hands-on, interactive center that tells the story of the Ohio-Erie Canal. This historical building has been renovated to provide great activities for organized groups while maintaining the integrity of the historical structure. We then moved to the Boston Mills Visitors Center which is a repurposed train station that now serves as a springboard for people wanting to explore the park. Before heading to lunch, we stopped at Brandywine Falls inside of the park for a quick photo op. The last stop of the NCDA Roadshow was at Cleveland Metroparks Rocky River Reservation. We explored the nature center building, talked to staff about their operations and took a guided hike culminating at some earthworks high upon a ridge overlooking the Rocky River.
Despite the less than sunny weather in northeast Ohio, the group's spirits were high and everyone enjoyed seeing these interpretive sites over two very full days.