2022 Summer Park Tour Full Review

If you’re like me, your summers growing up were spent riding your bike to the park playing with friends.  Even when you weren’t at a park, you were somewhere playing.  It could be your house, backyard, the street, a corner lot, it didn’t matter, summertime meant being outside having fun!

Too many times kids are wrapped up on these tablets, and staring at screens.  For my children, they even had 35 plus hours each of homework assigned for the summer.  Kids need to be kids, and my wife Emily and I both thought it would be fun to visit no less than 20 parks this summer with our daughters Maggie (8) and Madelyn (5).

We recently met our quota of 20, and here are the fun results complete with a park-by-park breakdown.

Park 1

Reese Park

586 Clague Rd, Bay Village, OH 44140

Date of Visit 6-11-22

Summary – This is a nice little park that is very easy to get to as it is located right on Clague Road. It is past Detroit Road but before Lake.   It has two large play areas, complete with a swing set and huge sandbox.  There is also a very nice pavilion for parents to sit under and read or eat if they so desire.  Unless you’re like me when it comes to parks and are constantly swinging or sliding someone. It is also small enough where one parent can watch both kids as I had to do that night.

It is also right next to a baseball diamond, so I would suggest going during the day and never during the game as the fence is short and you can, and will get nailed by a baseball if a game is going on.

Would we visit again?  Yes, with this park only 8 minutes from my house, it is on the summer routine already and we enjoy it. As I said, just don’t go during a baseball game because then it becomes a war zone.

 

Park 2

James Day Park

11828 W Pleasant Valley Rd, Parma, OH 44130

Date of Visit 6-12

Summary – This playground was excellent!  You get three huge areas with plenty of space.  There is also a gigantic picnic pavilion area to cool off from the sun if you need too.  This park features a massive playset in the first area, complete with traditional swings, caged in swings and saucer swings.

Area two is more of a sports challenge area, which encourages kids to climb and explore.  The third is a workout style set, where you can honestly get a great workout in if so inclined.  My daughter Maggie loved this park as she raced several kids on the mini 100-yard track they have set up.

The ONLY drawback was that the day we went, a sunny Sunday afternoon, the place was packed.  There had to be at least 50-75 people there, so it was a bit chaotic.  All in all, a great time!

Would we visit again? Yes!  Perhaps during the week.  It is right down the road from several eateries on Pearl and Bagley, so a fun place to bring some food and make it a dinner night.

 

Park 3

Clague Playhouse Parks

1371 Clague Rd, Westlake, OH 44145

Date of visit 6-13

Summary – What started off as a joke, turned into a reality.  This park is extremely tiny and is literally one small playset just past the outfield of the baseball fields.  I had been teasing the girls that we needed to go during a baseball game so I could get a snack from the snack stand.  Every time we went, it was just the three of us without Emily, and there was never a game.

So, this time I made sure we brought Emily with us and a game would be going on.  That way she could sit and watch the girls while I finally got to scope out that glorious snack stand.

Would we visit again? Yes, and not just because of the snack stand.  It is a cute little park and very safe.  The only draw back is the extremely limited parking available during a game.

 

Park 4

Linden Park

3600 Linden Rd, Rocky River, OH 44116.

Date of visit 6-14

Summary – WOW did I love this park!  Emily had Catholic book club that night, and my car was in the shop so this was a limited experience as we had very little time to be there before we had to leave and pick her up.  However, even with that being said, the 45 minutes we were there, were excellent!

This park has everything you can think of.  A massive play area for the kids, complete with a sizable swing island.  Also, they have basketball courts, tennis courts and for the Moms who want to go shopping after, Westgate Shopping plaza is right across the street.  Again, I really liked this park!

Would we visit again – Yes, but this time on a night when all four of us could be there and spend a good chunk of time.  Also, I forgot to mention, they too have a large pavilion area for parents to cool off or bring a dinner / lunch.

 

Park 5

Tri City Park

1468 Westwood, Fairview

Date of visit 6-16-22

Summary – This was the Thursday night before we left for our family trip to Columbus.  We dropped Emily off at Target to pick up supplies for the trip while the girls and I hit up a couple local parks.  The first was Tri City which I thought was absolutely beautiful.  I really liked this park and it helped that it was a beautiful night.  To my shock however, the girls didn’t like it as they found the one and only playset to be small, and boring.

I was none to thrilled as we ended up leaving after only about 30 minutes or so.  The girls, as they typically do when it is just the thee of us, talked me into doing whatever they wanted, so we left and headed for Bohlken Park instead.

Will we go back? I guess not and I don’t know why, because it was a very nice park.

 

Park 6

Bohlken Park

3885 W 210th St, Fairview Park, OH 44126

Date of visit  6-16-22

Summary – This became our first double header of the summer.  The girls really seem to enjoy this park when we visit.  It is actually quite small in the playground area, with a playset and a swing set.  They enjoy the slides and didn’t seem to mind the smaller play area.  It has the classic wood chips / mulch near the important area’s to avoid injury.  I found this a lot this summer along with that soft rubberized track places use. It capped off the Daddy Daughter Double Header nicely.

Will we go back? Yes, the girls like it there and it is also right by the Westgate Plaza if you want to grab dinner before or after.

 

Parks 7 and 8

Wills Park and DeRivera Park

Put In Bay

Date of visit 6-20

Summary – Two massive playground’s set up back to back right next to the water.  The only drawback is that if you have multiple kids with you, you need to either have your spouse with you, or keep your head on a swivel because it is gigantic.

Will we go back? No, not because it wasn’t fun but who is going to drive 75 minutes, pay $32 for a fairy ride, just to go to a park.

 

Park 9

Westlake Rec Center Park

Rec Center Dr, Westlake, OH 44145

Date of visit 6-27-22

Summary – Refreshed after our trip to Put in Bay, Emily and I decided to take the girls on their first ever triple header.  Stop 1 was at the same rec center Maggie has track practice at.  It was nice to be able to let both girls play at the park, instead of having to rush home for homework and dinner after practice like every other time we were there.  The park is nice with two decent sized playset area’s.

There is also a nice walk way if one parent wants to go for a walk while the other sits with the kids.  There is the standard pavilion too, although that one is a bit small.

Would we go back? Yes

 

Park 10

Bradley Park

Bradley Park, Bay Village, OH 44140

Date of visit 6-27-22

Summary – This is easily the most colorful park on the tour.  They want you to know that you are in Bay Village!  Everything is red and blue.  EVERYTHING!  The girls enjoyed this one a lot.  My only advice would be to pack your nausea medicine as this one seemed to have a “spins” theme to it as several rides spun.  And yes, I do say “rides” as that was the bulk of what is there.  You ride, climb, and swing a lot at this park.  I liked it and so did the girls!

Would we visit again?  Yes

Park 11

Big Clague Park

Clague Rd Westlake, OH 44145

Date of visit 6-27-22

Summary – Our FAVORITE Park on the tour!  Wow is this one great!  They have two giant zip lines.  A massive play set island along with swing sets.  A climbing zone and just plenty to do.  Also, pack a lunch and stay a bit in the glorious pavilion they have set up.  This park blows away half of the parks on this list.  All I can say is go see for yourself, just tremendous!

Would we visit again – Yes!!!!!!

Park 12

Dora Lee Payne Park

45 Riveredge Drive, Berea

Date of Visit 6 – 29- 22

The park has a space themed playground with several slides, swings, and climbing structures. It has stairs, an infant swing, and spring ride on police car and ambulance.  The only problem is that it is small, and hard to find.  Look for the city of Berea/ Middleburgh Heights bus garage, and it is right behind it.  Or you can try to get to it from Grayton Road.

This was a very special night for Emily, the girls and I as we had our nephew Matt with us.  Matt was visiting from North Carolina and our daughters worship the ground he walks on, so it was like traveling with a superstar on this night!

Would we go back? Yes, but it is tough to find, I will say it again.  You have to drive around the side streets until you finally see a giant baseball field, a large apartment complex, a bus garage, and then right in the middle of it, a tiny park.

 

Park 13

Mucklo Playground

Coe Lake in Berea

Date of visit – 6-29-22

Summary – Did you know Coe Lake has a park?  Apparently, they do and this one is really cool.  It is a Pirate themed playground with a beautiful backdrop.   Coe Lake is where Emily and I had our wedding photo’s taken so it was really cool to show the girls and Matthew,

Would we visit again? YES, this one was a blast.  The only thing I’d say, is pack the hand sanitizer because if you want to wash your hands in their bathroom, you’re going to need a gas mask.

Would we visit again? Yes

Park 14

Morton Park

22065 Morton Ave, Fairview Park, OH 44126

Date of visit 7 – 11- 22

Summary –  This night turned into a Daddy Daughter double header.  This park was the first absolute waste of time and total dump of the tour.  The girls and I will never be back as this park is tailor made for babies and toddlers.  I would say the oldest kid to enjoy this park would be about 4 years old.  Just a baby park, that is super small and you are looking directly into peoples backyards the entire time.  Honestly, ZERO privacy for them or you.

My daughter Maggie who climbed a 50-foot rock wall at Put In Bay with ease, looked at me when got to this park like, “you have to be kidding me!”.  The swings even have baby latches on them. I honestly felt like I was insulting my 8- and 5-year-olds by bringing them there.  The ONLY saving grace was the basketball court next to it.

Would we visit again? NO CHANCE!

Park 15

Grannis Park

West 202 Street in Fairview

Date of visit 7-11-22

Part two of the Daddy Daughter Doubleheader was actually really nice.  This is a cute park with plenty to do.  It has the standard rings, climbing walls, swings, slides and all the gems of a great park.  The ONLY problem with this park is the lack of any parking lot.  You will need to either park in the apartment complex or on the side street next to it.  I’ve never in my life seen a park without a parking lot, so that was a first.

Would we go back? Yes, the three of us enjoyed this one a lot.

 

Park 16

Surrarrer in Strongsville

14625 Whitney Rd, Strongsville, OH 44136.

Date of visit 7-14-22

Summary – The children’s area features climbers, slides, kid force spinners, Rock-n-Rides, zip lines and swings. The swing area was the big hit on this night.  Also, you have a nicely sized play set with plenty to do for kids of all ages.  Not to mention the large pavilion area for parents to chill out for a bit.

This was the only park where we met up with a classmate’s family of Madelyn’s for a play date.  We had so much fun with them, that this park is a visit again for sure! The park is all green for Strongsville pride.  This was the furthest trip for us, at 25 minutes, but well worth it as we had some pretty amazing company that night.

Would we visit again? Yep!

 

Park 17

North Olmsted Park

28114 Lorain Rd, North Olmsted, OH 44070

Date of Visit 7-22-22

Summary – Fresh off some time on the DL battling illness, we shook off the rust and headed to the park in our own home town.  North Olmsted Park is beautiful with plenty to do and see.  The playground area features two huge playsets and one swing set island.  Each playset is unique and challenging in its own way.  This is a park big enough you can bring your dog too and walk around if you choose.  Pick the right night, and you can even catch a live band at the pavilion or a food truck.

Would we visit again?  Yes!

 

Park 18

East River Park in Olmsted Falls

7878 Lewis Rd, Olmsted Falls, OH 44138

Summary – Emily chose to spend her birthday with us at the park.  Yay! This is a unique playground because it is near the river so it provides incredible visuals.  There is also mother nature everywhere with a few small paths you can walk through.  Falls Ice Cream is also only a few minutes away by walk so you can knock both out in one night.

However, despite all of that, if you are coming here strictly for the playground, you are in a for a giant letdown.  It is old, way too small, and once again, built for toddlers.  I don’t think anyone over the age of 5 would enjoy the actual playground.  Far too small and built for toddlers.  Also, it’s old and falling apart.

Would we visit again?  No!

 

Park 19

West Park Playground

4427 Rocky River Dr, Cleveland, OH 44135

Date of visit – August 3^rd

Summary – We came for the car show and stayed for the playground.  This one is on the smaller side with no shade for the parents if they are seeking some.  That aside, it is a very colorful park with plenty to do, including the only tire stile climbing device on the tour.  It’s also missing a swing set, so it will be a quick stop, but a fun one!

Would we visit again? Yes

 

Park 20

St. Bernadette’s

 2256 Clague Rd, Westlake, OH 44145

Date of visit 8/4/22

Summary – The grand finale was supposed to be the park in Avon right off Detroit Rd.  Well, as she often does, my youngest daughter Madelyn “The Zook” McKee called an audible on us.  I had shown her this tiny playground the night before and she instantly became obsessed with it.  She talked about it nonstop all night afterwards, and then demanded we go the next day. My record of telling Madelyn no, is pretty poor, so St. Bernadette’s became the final stop.

It is a cute little playground surrounded by the school, a basketball court and a field big enough to play soccer.  There is a beautiful path if you want to take a walk around the pond as well and pray to the statues.  I enjoy it there; I just don’t think it should have been the “main event”.

Would we visit again? Yes

 

The Final rankings of the park, listed best to worst, can be found on page two.