Urban Studies

Introduction

A seemingly simple idea of greenspace being intertwined in cities, in fact is very complex and strategically planned to bring the community together. “According to Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr., parks were places where nature and the built environment met in harmony, where all classes of society could interact peacefully, and where environmental services like drainage, water filtration and flood control occurred naturally” (Daniels, 2009, p.181). Olmsted was crucial in the implementation of these park systems, which can be seen in the very area we reside in. Ohio is quite a unique state from its diverse geological regions to its very own National Park System located in Cuyahoga County. Its diverse parks with their variety of uses bring much to the surrounding communities.

Figure 2: Fishing at Edgewater Park. Courtesy of Cleveland Public Library

Five Northeastern Ohio Parks

Bow Wow Beach

This special-use park located in Summit County encompasses 7.5 acres with a large lake where dogs are free to swim from dusk to dawn. It is not monitored by any workers during its operation hours, but it is maintained by the Stow City Parks and Recreation Department (City of Stow, 2017). Since opening in 2007, many visitors, including myself, have enjoyed Bow Wow Beach’s numerous features such as the dog washing station which has saved the interior of my car from permanent paw prints. As I have four dogs, I have gone to several dog parks, but none

Figure 3: Bow Wow Lake by Northeast Ohio Family Fun

Brecksville Reservation

The Brecksville Reservation is, “the largest of the 18 Cleveland Metroparks reservations” (Cleveland Metroparks, 2017). The large urban park is 3,026 acres with seven impeccable gorges created by the glaciers, 20 miles of horse trails, diverse hiking trails, picnic areas and much more.

Figure 4: Chippewa Creek by Cleveland Metroparks

Edgewater Park

Figure 5: Family sailboat by MaKenna Daus

South Chagrin Falls Reservation

Stretching along the Chagrin River is the South Chagrin Falls Reservation, a large urban park, where I grew up. Next to my township of Bainbridge is Bentleyville, where a section of the reservation is located. With living so close, I have frequently visited the section known as, Quarry Rock with beautiful waterfalls and many swimming areas where the community loves to bring inflatables and ride them down the shallow part of the river. I bring my best friend, Foster, a gorgeous Rottweiler mix to Quarry Rock where I let him off leash to release all his energy built up from being inside all day. This has become a little tradition for him and I during the warm season. As I pull up to the picnic area Foster begins to wag his tail in readiness to run to the water. I bring him down the narrow trail to the rocks below where there is a small section of deep water, so he can swim. When we reach the section of broken down, sand like rocks, I command him to, “sit.” Once, he has listened, I release his leash from his bright red collar and tell him, “okay.” He zooms off into the water and we spend a few hours throwing his frisbee and exploring the river. As he becomes tried, I dry him off, put him in my car and we go to the local ice cream shop, Dairy Island, where he is well known by the employees. After the long adventure, he enjoys a vanilla ice cream topped with a crunchy dog treat. Having the large urban park so close to my house makes living in a very small town much more exciting. Every time I go to walk the trails, visit the famous Henry Church sculpture or go horseback riding, I discover something new in the gem of my hometown.

Figure 16: Park Map. Courtesy of Cleveland Public Library

Sunny Lake

Nestled in the greenery of Aurora is a large urban park filled with endless activities appealing to all in the community. I found the Aurora gem with my lifelong friend, Chelsea,

Figure 7: Park sign by MaKenna Daus

Conclusion

As I have analyzed and researched these five local parks, I have noticed a major theme, community building. In each of these parks, there is something special to each of them whether it is their large size, special use or its unique location, they all have the same purpose, to bring the surrounding community together. No matter where I moved to in this state, which I have moved fourteen times, I was no more than a few miles from some type of park. Being able to grow up with that luxury has made not only myself and family, but our community more friendly and healthy overall. Having close access to miles of trails, baseball fields, playgrounds etc. has gotten us all off the couch and into the beauty of the community we reside in. There are many gems in our community strategically placed for us to find and enjoy with our family and others.

References

Bow Wow Beach Dog Park. (2017). Retrieved September 30, 2017, from http://stowohio.org/bow-wow-beach-dog-park/

Brecksville Reservation. (2017). Retrieved September 29, 2017, from https://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/parks/visit/parks/brecksville-reservation

Daniels, T. L. (2009). A Trail Across Time: American Environmental Planning From City Beautiful to Sustainability. Journal of the American Planning Association, 75(2), 178- 192. doi:10.1080/01944360902748206

Edgewater Park. (2017). Retrieved September 29, 2017, from https://clevelandmetroparks.com/parks/visit/parks/lakefront-reservation/edgewater-park