by When I decided to write articles and then a book honoring and ranking the best parks and playgrounds in Lakewood and Bay Village, I knew it would be a large undertaking, but one with plenty of fun involved. I quickly learned I was correct as Lakewood and Bay Village combined to have some of the nicest parks on the West Side. Little did I ever think it would actually get published into a book form, but here we are – Northeast Ohio’s Best Parks and Playgrounds: Vince McKee: 9798896831068: Amazon.com: Books
As a high school sportswriter, I am gone a lot between the months of late August and the very end of May; this makes me value summertime more than I can ever begin to explain. Having a vibrant wife along with two healthy and energetic children makes my summers a lot of fun, filled with wonderful memories.
A few years back my family made the resolution to try and go to as many local playgrounds as possible each summer. In Northeast Ohio, you must make the best of the nice weather because you never know how long you’re going to have it for, and my family does just that!
As we began going to all of these playgrounds, I began to notice some were much better than others and also realized that it was smart to make notes in case we came back. Most of these notes were simple things such as the bathroom situation and if there were any places parents could sit in the shade and still have a clean vision of where their kids were.
Some parks were clean; some, not so much. Some offered indoor plumbing, and others didn’t. I learned to greatly appreciate the nice soft rubber some have for their ground and begin to disdain that nasty mulch wood mix most use. Was the park easy to find, and once we arrived, was there enough to do? These were all things I looked out for.
All these items may seem small, but adding them up and sometimes assigning grades helps you plan your visit.
Some were pleasant surprises, such as Grannis in Fairview, and others may have been a bit of a letdown, such as Skip Park in Stow. Each summer we rank them from best to worst and instantly start planning for the next year. This led to the inspiration of this book, as I wanted to help out as many parents as I could. If you want to spend time outside with your kids, then I want to help you! I hope everyone not only enjoys the book but also finds it helpful.
YOU CAN PURCHASE THE BOOK HERE – Northeast Ohio’s Best Parks and Playgrounds: Vince McKee: 9798896831068: Amazon.com: Books
Here are the parks that stood out the most in Lakewood and Bay Village, two of our favorite cities to explore!
Bay Village
Cahoon Park in Bay Village
Location
27600 Lake Road, Bay Village OH, 44140
About the Park
With something for every member of the family, Cahoon park has become the gem of Bay Village. Per the City of Bau Village website, this wide, open-field, park space located between Cahoon Road and the Metroparks and between Wolf Road and Lake Erie is frequented for passive recreation and used seasonally for soccer programs and large scale events. Many know it as home to the annual Independence Day fireworks and Bay Days Carnival. The historic Community House and Rose Hill Museum, Gazebo, Memorial Rose Garden, and Skate and Bike Park are all located in this section of the beautiful Cahoon Memorial Park.
Cahoon Memorial Park was donated by Ida Marie Cahoon “for the citizens, people and Village of Bay” to be used forever as a park.
Access to the Park
It is right off Clague Rd near Lake, and you can get to it in under 10 minutes or less from North Olmsted, Rocky River, Lakewood and Fairview. Very easy to find and enjoy!
Things to do
Just some of the many things it offers is being ADA Accessible, plenty of parking, a paved walking trail, a huge wooden playground that is multi-tiered and even has a giant sandbox in it. It is by far one of the best overall spots you are going to find in this book.
Places to sit
No matter which attraction you choose, you won’t have any issues finding a spot in the shade to enjoy.
Ground
Soft mulch in the playground, cement and grass everywhere else on the premises.
Bathroom
Indoor plumbing
Best part of the park
Honestly, the playground! It is gigantic and above ground but still safe. Your children will be kept busy in the playground for hours.
Karens Way Play Space
Location
Huntington Beach
About the Park
While known for many years for it’s access to Lake Erie and it has kept beach goers occupied for a century, they recently decided to have a playground installed and it is incredible! It is called Karens Way and per the press release, here is the “skinny”.
The nearly one-acre play space incorporates an expansive nature-based design that will fit the character of Huntington Reservation. Karen’s Way Play Space connects to the recently updated Noshery concessions building and Sunset Picnic Plaza by a paved accessible path.
The project is being funded by a generous gift from Karen’s Way Inc. The project was designed in house by the Cleveland Metroparks Planning & Design team. It features a include a willow tunnel, slide, a playhouse and small stage, musical play components, two separate swing sets for ages 2-5 and ages 5-12, a water play feature and a 50-foot-long kid-friendly zipline. The swing set and zipline feature ADA inclusive seating.
Access to the park
Simply drive down Lake Road until you see it. If you hit Avon Lake coming from the East, you have gone way too far. You cannot miss it as it is about 5 minutes from Clague Rd on Lake Road. Once there, while there is about 500 parking spots, you may need to park across the street in the overflow. The playground is an acre long you won’t miss it
Things to do
Fully loaded snack and ice cream stand that takes credit!
A 50-foot-long Zip line
Wood based playsets
Net Wells with Rope
2 Swing Set islands
Stone Water Park
Circular Monkey Bars that spin
A musical area to play the drums or other instruments
A playhouse with a small stage
Willow tunnel slide
Places to sit
There are trees everywhere to camp out under if you want to have a picnic, or they also provide mini rounded tables, with tree stump sitting. It is not the most comfortable however, but it will get the job done if you need to sit for a minute or two.
Ground
Mulch on the playground
Grass near the playsets under the trees
Sand on the beach ( well, of course! )
Bathroom situation
Clean indoor plumbing
Best part of the park.
The entire atmosphere quite frankly! What a giant upgrade. The benches and grills have been there forever, but to add a fully loaded playground along with an amazing snack stand, including alcohol for those of you who partake, this is now a cannot miss destination!
Bradley Park
Location
350 Dover Center Rd, Bay Village OH, 44140
About the Park.
It features a musically themed playground and tremendous blue and red color scheme to represent city culture. It’s mainly metal, and is about 16 acres of parkland located on the western end of Bay Village off of Bradley Road south of Wolf Road.
To go with the playground, it also features basketball courts, tennis courts and baseball fields as well.
Access to the park
Easy to find with plenty of room to park. You won’t have very much trouble at all finding this park. My only suggestion would be to follow the speed limit closely and be on the lookout for the entrance as it sneaks up on you at any moment if you are coming in on the playground side.
Things to do while at the park
There is no shortage of things to try and do while vising the park. The playground features a musical theme, a double swing set with big swings and ones for toddlers as well. They have several slides, including a triple slide and a curvy one as well. It features plenty of monkey bars, jungle gyms and large playsets. It also had a legitimate teeter tatter as well. Oh yeah, it has plenty of “spinny” things too, so you may want to make sure your kid has an empty stomach when you visit.
For the big kids, there are basketball courts, baseball fields, lacrosse fields, tennis courts and plenty of open grass to run around on as well!
Places for parents to sit
At the playground, there are only 2 spots for parents to sit where they can have full view of their child, and neither are in the shade. It is truly the only drawback of this park, just not many places to sit without baking in the heat.
Ground
You’re dealing with wood chips at the playground, so plan on taking a few of those home with you. Other than that, minimal bird poop and bugs. A nice little park!
Bathroom Situation
Pretty darn clean with inside plumbing. The big two, they nailed them both!
Best part of the park
The color schemes. I know it may seem silly for a grown man to care so much about color, but in a world of so many cookie cutter things, it makes this park truly stand out and keeps it unique! Yes! This is great park / playground and I would highly recommend it.
Reese Park
Location
586 Clague Rd, Bay Village, OH 44140
About the Park
This particular park is one of several good ones in Bay Village that my family and I have enjoyed for years. It is located at 586 Clague Rd, Bay Village, OH 44140. Per the City of Bay Village Parks website, It is 6 acres of parkland located at the eastern end of Bay Village on Clague Road.
Reese Park was named in honor of Henry P. Reese, a City Councilman from 1968 to 1969 and Mayor of Bay Village from 1970 to 1977. The name was made official by City Council Resolution 93-81 in October, 1981. It was formerly known as Clague Road Park.
Access to the park
It is pretty easy to locate, right off Clague Road near Wolf. You simply have to be careful if you are coming from the Lake Road side, as there may be some cars flying over the hill and you just have to be careful. The parking lot is sizable and you will have no issues getting a space, even if a little league game is going on, you should be okay. Leaving, if you’re taking a left turn out of the park, you will be best off waiting for the light to give you an arrow or just a straight green as traffic can be heavy at times on Clague in that area. The park is located just a few minutes away from I90.
Things to do
This park features a giant sandbox, a large playset complete with full jungle gyms and slide. Also, a double swing set and plenty of space to walk around. It is confined however to just one area, so unless you’re bringing a lunch, it may be a short visit of only 45 minutes as their isn’t a ton to do. There is a mini library of books for parents if they decide to partake. You simply have to be careful if there is a baseball game going on because let’s face it folks, some of the players will want to play catch behind the bench, and it is easy for a ball to get loose and clunk your child in the head. I saw it happen more than once when we visiter. There is little to no room between the playground area and the baseball diamond.
Places for parents to sit
While the park being a bit small and confined to one area is a bit of a hindrance, it is nice in a way because parents can sit under the pavilion and still see where their child is at all times. Thus, the playground being small is actually a bonus if you’d rather sit then stand. There is also a small but uncovered park bench as well.
Bathroom
Indoor plumbing and a water fountain. Sinks, the whole deal! This is a must for parents with young ones. A great job here!
Best part of the park
The jungle gym has something for everyone. A climber, a swing rider and adventure seekers as well. It is a nice little park.
Lakewood
Cove Park
Location
1294 Cove Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107
About the Park
This was our first venture into Lakewood and it was worth the hike from the Westside as Cove Park delivered. It is a small park, but cute and clean with plenty packed into a small spot. It is one of the cuter parks you will see as it is hidden behind a massive apartment complex and right next to a tee-ball field which adds to it all.
Access to the Park
It is squeezed in behind an apartment complex, about 30 seconds from Clifton Blvd. If you keep that MapQuest or google maps on, you won’t have any problems finding it, despite it being hidden.
Things to do
The playground features various slides, the globe spinner, the round spin thing of injury, big kid and toddler swings, monkey bars, tunnels and plenty more to keep your kids entertained.
Places to sit
There is a nice pavilion 5 feet from the playground for parents to sit in. Right behind the pavilion there is a large field for soccer or baseball as well. It would be a great place to have a picnic lunch.
Ground
Clean wood chips and a lot of grass if you stray from the playground.
Bathroom
Full indoor plumbing is available for every need.
Best part of the park
The intimate feeling you get when you are there. It’s tucked away and you feel as though it is your own little secret treasure.
Madison Park
Location
13201 Madison Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107
About the Park
This is a great park with huge playsets with multiple slides, and also various swing islands as well. Plenty of rock walls to climb, tunnels to explore and no shortage of things to have fun on. The new playground equipment was installed in 2008 and comes with all the bells and whistles. This is not your parents playground!
Access to the park
It is not far from Interstate 90 and an easy find.
Things to do
Massive playground
Usher Field for softball playing and watching
Becks Pool
Places to sit
Open picnic area with four grills and various pavilions to camp under.
Ground
It has the preferred rubber padding for a ground instead of the wet wood chips that get everywhere.
Bathroom
You have to walk quite a bit to get to it depending on where you are at this massive park.
Best part of the Park
The variety will keep everyone having fun for hours on end.
Kids Cove Playground at Lakewood Park
Location
The intersection of Belle and Lake Avenues
About the Park
This 31-acre park is one of the largest and most prominent in the state. It is known as the “Crown Jewel” of the Lakewood Park System. From family BBQ’s and Wedding Receptions, to Graduation Parties and Family Re-unions, this park can be used for almost anything, and often is.
Access to the park
At 31 acres, there is no shortage of ways to get there and find a multitude of places to park.
Things to do
Foster Pool
Splash Pads
Four Tennis Courts
Three sand volleyball courts
Kids Cove Playground Area
Lakewood Park Bandstand for live concerts
Brick Walkway along the entire park
Picnic areas
Solstice Steps
Stonehouse Museum on the premises
Places to sit
Plenty of pavilions to sit as well as benches near the Kids Cove Playground
Ground
You will find a mix of grass, sand, soft mulch and gravel.
Bathroom
At 31 acres, there are several, including one near the playground.
Best Part of the Park.
Quite honestly, if you bought this book, or for your cheapskates out there, checked it out from the library, you did so because you have kids who enjoy playgrounds. With that being said, for your first visit, I would stick to the playground and soak in the ambiance while planning further trips.
Kaufmann Park
Location
15450 Detroit Rd., Lakewood, OH 44126
About the park
The park is recently renovated with treehouse and accessible water play area to go along with a modest sized playground. There is a train that runs to the back of the park that blows it’s whistle. If you are there long enough, there is a great chance you will hear it.
Access to the park
The playground is a safe distance from the road/parking lot.
Things to do
Platform, stand up, saucer and standard swings
Slides
Rockwall
Nature themed main play area
Treehouse with rope ladder to navigate
Three seat Merry go Round
Balance area created by plastic logs
Splash area for water games
Places to sit
None for parents or guardians
Ground
Mulch
Bathroom
Yes, there is one, however, depending on when you go, it may be locked.
Best part of the park
The anticipation of the train possibly coming through while you are there.
Wagar Park
Located at 15900 Madison & Hillard
About the Park
Wagar Park in Lakewood is located just minutes from Lakewood High School in the heart of the city. It is a cute park with plenty for your children to do, including 2 playsets, one for ages 5-12, and one for toddlers. It is well lit and safe, as well as clean.
I would strongly recommend this park on your next trip out with the family. It is small however, so you can budget about an hour of time before the kids get bored. It is also fenced in, so you can take a pet if you want.
Access to the park
Well, this is kind of a rough one as there is no parking lot to be found, and only one street you can turn on to get near the park. It is what it is, not fun, but still not a deal breaker.
Things to do
There is no shortage of things to do as it features two playgrounds and a basketball court.
6 slides, 3 singles and a triple
Swing Set Island with 5 big kid slides and one toddler
Rock Walls
A giant roped in spin thing that two people can do at once
Pirates Cove lookout spyglass
Bridges to explore
Monkey Bars
So much more, just a great little park.
Places to sit
There are two nice square picnic tables that sit 4 people each, set up right outside of the playground. Also, in the playground area there is one metal bench. All of which is close enough to sit, relax and still keep an eye on your child.
There is also a small pavilion set up near the toddler playset, so you can get out of the sun for a few minutes.
Ground
Mulch,,,, clean,,, but still mulch
Bathroom
I was there roughly and hour and looked around as much as I could, I didn’t see a bathroom or even a porta potty.
Best part of the park
Much like Cove Park, also located in Lakewood, it had a cute and cozy feel to it. Not overwhelming and you felt as though you were in a friends backyard. The location of the picnic tables and benches are perfect for parents to sit and relax as your child runs wild and free. Also, I as I said in the opening, it was very clean and safe.
Other Parks in Lakewood, Ohio you may enjoy.
Webb Park
Located at 1301 Webb Road it has a tennis court, picnic tables and a playground.
Edwards Park
Located at 16800 Detroit Avenue it has new playground equipment but not much else.
Merl Park
Located at the corner of Bunts and Merl Avenues, it features a playground and picnic area to go with a tennis court.
Park Row Park
Located at 1386 Park Row with a playground and picnic area.
Niagara Park
Located at the corner of Lake Rd and Niagara, it has a playground and one picnic table.
Clifton Prado Park
Located at 1265 Clifton Prado Road, it has playground area and small picnic table.
