As a boy, I spent many nights with my father fishing off the break wall at Edgewater. These experiences – the sights, the smells, the sounds, the feel of the water’s spray as the waves crashed into the stones before us, the sift glow of the Coleman lantern and the smell of the butane, the camaraderie with the other fishermen… these are foundational memories that help keep me in touch with my father even though he passed away many years ago.
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We're listening.
We’ve heard many stories from Clevelanders, reflecting deep connections with Lake Erie, and cherished memories of friends and family.
These stories paint a more detailed picture than traditional histories can. They show the nuance and humanity of our interactions with the lake, and they speak to the heart of our vision for a renewed lakefront.
If you like, please share your own lakefront story. We know it will be a valuable addition to our collection.
Share Your Story
Share your memories of Cleveland’s lakefront. We review submissions before they show up on this page.
Every visit from my hometown of Columbus to Cleveland with my family included a stop at Captain Frank’s Restaurant on the E 9th Street Pier. We would also visit for the annual family reunion on Labor Day weekend when we could also watch the Air Show.
I have gone to the lake for my entire adult life. Lake Erie is my sanctuary, my spot for reflection and relaxing. When out of town guests are visiting, a trip to beautiful Lake Erie is a must.
Ice cream stand behind Captain Frank’s. Watching airplanes take off from E. 9th Street Pier. Walking my dog at Donald Gray Gardens north of old muni stadium. Catching a train to Chicago or Washington at the Amtrak station. Seeing an Indians opener with 80,000 fans.
May seem silly, but my dog absolutely hated water. I think that something traumatic happened to him having to do with water. I went to Lake Erie with a friend and our dogs. Lake Erie was the first time that not only went into the water of his own accord, but actually frolicked in it. There were other dogs who were playing and that helped him to forego his great fear. So amazing for him, but also so cool to see what the power of community can do for us!
My family used to live in Cleveland in the 1970’s, before I was born. I moved here because of school (Case Western Reserve U) but also because of the great stories they would tell about the lake and fishing and hiking. I recently learned how to fish and love it! Following the family tradition.
“We love looking for beach glass and the metal balls that weight the ships down”
“Fishing with my children”
“Miss captain Frank’s Lobster House”
“I had only been birding for a few years when, about 15 years ago, I stopped at the E. 55th marina and surveyed the area inside the break wall. I was surprised to see a bird I immediately recognized from my bird book standing tall, still and silent along the edge of the water. It was an American Bittern. What I didn't realize is how uncommon this bird was to see. I have still never seen another one since then. The Erie shoreline is a fantastic stopover place for migrating birds and I am pleased with the wetlands area in the plans, a place I can imagine seeing a bittern again.”
“I have enjoyed growing up fishing, the good time boat, picnicking, and just sitting and watching the boating and water skiers and fishing in the past.”
“I didn't grow up here but now I live close to the lake. I can hear cars, boats and aircraft at the same time someways. The lake is a frequent feature of my dreams though I can't see it from my house. I'm looking forward to a place that is convenient to access community living along the lake”
“The lake is our most precious resource and it's beauty can be healing to all. I have enjoyed watching the sunset and being inspired by the colors and sense of opportunity and hope that the lake offers.”
“I love Edgewater and it is and can only imagine more great things for public access to Lake Erie!”
“Nature”
“I worked at the Port Authority Maritime when ships docked at the port. It was a great experience... about long shore men. Trade ships Flags/origin lots Irish”
“My lakefront story would be the seeing the lake shore from a mile or 2 out on the lake while fishing with my father.”
“I grew up (MANY years ago) on and around Lake Erie... The lake Erie Islands being the most significant to me. History is tied to the lake and ships like the Niagara and Porcupine and others - this could be part of Cleveland and Ohio ... not just Erie Pa.”
“I look at places like Toronto with their access to Lake Ontario and think that could be us. With how much me and my family love going to Edgewater and Huntington Beach, I can't emphasize enough how much better access to Lake Erie would be for Cleveland. Our favorite thing to do with out of towners is to take them to see the lake. Every single time they comment on how they can't believe it's in Cleveland. People don't realize what a gem we have and it's because we as Clevelanders don't even have proper access to experience it. Cleveland could become a real destination, a place people want to be, and not just the punchline to a bad joke about our river catching on fire once. The lakefront deserves to be utilized to its fullest and this plan shows the obvious potential it has to be a place for countless memories to be made.”
“I live on the lake. I didn't realize how important Lake Erie was until I moved to a house next to it. We drink from it. It's clean now. So everyone should get to use it.”
“fishing with grand daddy back in the day”
“Going down to lakefront in winter”
“The Lake Erie waterfront is the most diverse natural waterway on the planet,”
“Riding my bike down to the lake.”
“memories fishing with family”
“My favorite memories involve staring at the lake at sunset”
“We homeschool our kids and we spend many hours a week at the lake and in the Metroparks enjoying nature and science.”
“Going to baseball games at the old stadium. Going to different events at the lakefront.”
“It is a good place to walk around.”
“Watching fireworks”
“Had a great time at the lakefront with my family walking around.”
“sunrises with my dog at Edgewater.”
“Heard so many reminiscings about Euclid Beach Amusement Park. Additionally recall the original Cleveland Aquarium. I also certainly have fond memories of learning to fish from the piers. Polar plunge. Lake effect snow.”
“The lake is a true nature marvel. My favorite activity is to watch the sunsets. This has become a family activity that we keep on doing.”
“I remember when the aquarium was at Gordon Park. It was the only museum to walk to in my neighborhood. I miss that location as a park for families.”
“It was nice, I was with my friends and family.”
“Flying kites at Edgewater. The rib cook offs - National titles at stake. Fireworks competitions”
“My mother and I share a lot of memories of Lake Erie. Spending time with family.”
“I learned to sail competitively on Lake Erie 55 years ago. I still remember everything I learned about her beauty and personality. As many kids as possible should have a fun reason to know the lake. In addition to the physical plan, there needs to be programming that draws kids to the water,”
“Going to the lake to BBQ and listen to music”
“I was bringing a group of Asian American & Pacific Islander leaders from across the US on a tour of Cleveland, and when I asked if they wanted to see the lake they said yes! We got out at Edgewater Lake and the pacific islander (native/indigenous) put her feet in the water, she had a full body sigh and smiled and said “I feel connected now.” (To CLE)”
“A stories comes to mind… My great aunt moved to Cleveland to pursue a better life. She was a bootlegger and would get liquor supply shipment from Whiskey Island.”
“I like to go to concerts.”
“I've always had fun on the lake!”
“We need a place to walk around that's pretty and is a destination”
“I saw my first American woodcock at Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve, and also see numerous and spectacular migrating waterfowl on the lake from CLNP each spring. And at Wendy Park, seeing thousands of monarch butterflies before they migrate north is truly breath-taking.”
“I love the beach at Edgewater.”
“Spent some time at this area looking at the lake, watching others, taking in the park, etc. It appears to be popular but there are no places to eat.in the evening or on weekends.”
“Reconnecting with fishing and nature in Lake Erie and rivers helped bring me out of serious depression and I am so thankful for the resource we have in our backyard.”
“great office building views”
“I grew up swimming in the lake every day of the summer. People from outside the city seem to still think it's dirty. I'd like for people outside the region to realize that Lake Erie is beautiful and can be a recreational destination for visitors.”
“My Daddy loved the lakefront. I have pictures of me and my brother with my Daddy walking by the rocks near the lake. My Daddy died in 2005. He was 52. I'm now 53. He was cremated and told my stepmother that he wanted his ashes spread on Lake Erie so she did. When I think of the lake, I think of my Daddy.”
“Indy car races "Cleveland Budweiser 500" was always great! Cleveland air show longest running national air show. swimming at Edgewater park with picnics. Cleveland ribfest and Cleveland oktoberfest,”
“Part of the reason I moved from Akron to Cleveland is to enjoy the lakeshore.”
“I live on a beach club street. It's amazing to have access to Lake Erie everyday.”
“Ice cream stand behind captain franks. Watching airplanes take off from E. 9th St. pier. Walking my dog at Donald gray gardens north of old muni stadium. Catching a train to CHI or Washington at the Amtrak station. Seeing a Indians opener with 80,000 fans.”
“I love Lake Erie. Great place to have family time.”
“plenty of memories here from sports and concerts to the Mather, cod, burke, cap'n franks, flying at burke & of course the rock hall (never been to sci center though).”
“Growing up in Collinwood and raising my own family here has spoiled me. I never take Lake Erie for granted. The lake is always in eyesight. I can hear it. I feel grounded in her presence. She is majestic and creates the most beautiful cotton candy swirled sunsets. The lakefront all along 90 towards the east side needs to be developed. All of Cleveland should have access and enjoy all the lake has to offer. The metro parks have been a godsend to our beaches.”
“Favorite moments are at the lake. Sunrises, sunsets, peaceful sounds of seagulls, waves. These are some of my kids favorite moments as well”
“I had a neighbor who rode horse and carriage across the lake to lemington Ontario”
“Some of my best memories in Cleveland are along the lakefront, even though I grew up south of Cleveland (in Brecksville). My favorite things to do in Cleveland are all centered around the Metroparks, walking paths, and the lake - opportunities to be in the community (even as an introvert!), meet new people, and walk my dog. I am so excited about this project - it's exactly what Cleveland needs to continue it's glow-up.”
“I grew up here, and stayed. I've always enjoyed being near the lake and thought there should be more public access. My teen years included swimming at Edgewater at weird hours and bad conditions, when it was far dirtier than it is today, and jumping the fence and climbing down the cliff to the lake below Lakewood Park, before there was public access. (Access which is STILL disappointingly limited, as one can get 20 feet from the water, but not officially, legally, touch it.) People want access to the lake. We should make it open, free, easy, safe, and hassle-free.”
“The Lake represents freedom, tranquility and beckons exploration and discovery. It also requires respect and understanding of its wonderment.”
“I fish on the public shores of Lake Erie. As a fisherman, I wish we were given places that created more interaction with people who don't fish. So often we have to trek over rocks away from people. Fisherman need that social aspect too.”
“Anything that enhances the natural beauty of the lake is a place I like to visit. Just give me a park bench and sunset and I am happy!”
“Our family has a long history of times spent on Lake Erie. From boating, to swimming, hiking, camping and picnics and fishing - the lakefront is our favorite place to be in Cleveland!”
“I only went there as a kid to the science center. I don't like football.”
“I frequently walk to the end of the malls and am disappointed I can’t easily get to the lake.”
“Fishing on the lake”
“There was one time I was walking in a stream (I think near Lake Erie) and a crawfish swam over my foot and it startled me. I fell, but I am okay now. I'd never touched a fish before.”
“I've always felt connected to Lake Erie. Swimming, meditating, listening, and watching the lake is soothing and restorative. The amount of life at our fingertips is one to celebrate, respect, and protect.”
“The lake has been a huge part of our lives growing up and now in our children's life through the traditions of water sports, boating, kayaking, jet skiing, watching lake sunsets, walks by the lake and riding roller coasters by the lake. We are lucky to live near this natural beauty.”
“One of my best memories of my father after he got sober is spending the day swimming in the lake and napping in the sun.”
“Walking the lakefront area, always a relaxing experience.”
“One of my favorite lakefront stories was learning how to kayak and then doing it with my family when I was younger.”
“Stunning views of downtown when you’re on a boat in the lake.”
“I love taking my kids to the beach since my oldest was 2. Like to be able to do that via public transit without having to cross any major highways”
“I've been on the Goodtime. Its a lot of fun to dance on a boat.”
“I have had beautiful memories with my boyfriend of one-year and my family that I have been trying to reconnect with for two-years. I have memories and pictures I will have for years to come.”
“enjoying fresh fried perch at Capt. Franks.”
“Going to Euclid Beach amusement park and beach as a child.”
“When I moved to Cleveland in 2011, I was immediately drawn to the power of the lake – to recreate and just watch the beautiful nature. But I learned that the water can be unhealthy depending on the day and year. We must protect the lady Lake Erie!”
“Mentor headlands with my girlfriends in college”
“I spend a lot of time by the north coast. I spent 9th grade there at the Great Lake Science Center at MCZ Stem High School and also took part and creating some of the speakers downtown around the playhouse square area.”
“Great time at Euclid Beach Park.”
“Love going to Edgewater and my family visits the Cleveland History Center for memories of Euclid Beach Park's carousel”
“I remember going to Edgewater and the rocks fishing with my Mom & Dad. The quietness of nature being with my beloved will always live in my mind.”
“I love how the lake here in Cleveland has a thousand different personalities depending on where you are along the lakefront and many different spots.”
“I almost drowned when I fell in. What looked like hybrid of a giant porpoise and a manatee with arms saved me by gently nudging me to the surface and pulling me to shore. People who saw it say it was a rescue diver, but I don't believe them. Definitely a manatee with arms.”
“Lake living is my life. I visit Lake parks many times a week. Free parking and accessibility is need for all.”
“The working, industrial waterfront was always a place of wonder and entertainment. I can dovetail well with re-imagining plans.”
“Collecting shells at Lakeside Ohio's beaches.”
“Family picnics, days looking at wildlife. The beauty of the lake. I could spend hours just looking at the lake itself.”
“Being able to go down to the lake front for a picnic, some quiet reflective time, sunrises, sunsets”
“As I child, I didn't experience the lakefront at all. Now, I enjoy jogging along the lakefront and attending the attractions on the harbor. That said, It would be nice to be able to run the entirety of the lakefront from Bratenahl to Edgewater.”
“I love going to the lake to have cookouts and enjoy the beautiful sunsets in the summer.”
“Being together”
“Out on the boat as a kid!”
“I grew up on the baches of Euclid. There is not much Beach left, it's all cliffs. The waterfront is where I relax.”
“Boating!”
“We release family's ashes into the lake.”
“My father would fish (orange pale, bucket, fishing rods, tackle box, fishing hat).”
“We introduced our daughter and her friends to Edgewater Beach at the Thursday night concert series. If you do the same in this new lakefront space, it will always bring new people together over food and music and the lake.”
“Coming from Florida and NYC, both of which have amazing waterfront amenities, I was immediately struck by the immense natural beauty of Lake Erie and the untapped potential this city had if it could just link its people to the lake.”