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.
“My favorite lakefront memory is my parents bringing us kids down to the lake to jump on the big rocks. It was always so much fun and a way for us to enjoy the waterfront as a family.”
“fishing with grand daddy back in the day”
“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)”
“Growing up near Euclid Beach Park, I went to the lakefront all of the time. A great, fun memory.”
“I grew up in Cleveland and visit often. Memories of the lakefront, Municipal Stadium, Euclid Beach, etc. are bountiful and deeply rooted. A waterfront district celebrating the arts, culture and history of our city as a beacon to the rest of America and the world would be ideal. I have a deep sense of pride of place in Cleveland - let's create a lakefront district that shows the world why that is so for so many of us from "the Land"!”
“Nice experiences including Rock Hall, GLSC and Voinovich Park. However, there was always a disconnect with the rest of downtown and instead of continuing the lakefront experience with a stroll into the core of downtown, we would get back in the car and go elsewhere.”
“Just looking at the lake decompresses me. I was lucky to have had an office with a lake view and the lake in all seasons is so beautiful.”
“the best is air show and sailing ship expo”
“bike rides and sunsets”
“My husband and I take many romantic day trips to the Lakeshore.”
“Playing vball downtown.”
“Being together”
“I love the lake because its the most naturally beautiful place in Cleveland.”
“place of healing <3”
“I love going to the lake to watch the sunsets.”
“I grew up on the ocean and moved to this amazing lake with an ocean-like view from my Cleveland house.”
“My dad grew up on Lake Erie in the 1920's,30's,40's. Times were tough for his family, but having Lake Erie as your literal front yard...WOW! I loved, and still love his childhood home.”
“The many hours spent at Edgewater beach as a young adult listening to WMMS tell you to "turn so you don't burn!"”
“Sailing”
“Almost choking on that dirty water back in the day lol. Now the water is cleaner.”
“We take our jet skies to the area frequently and would love to see the area with human life rather than parking lots”
“Going down to park.”
“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.”
“great office building views”
“My happiest memory of the lake was when I got to experience walking on it during the winter when it was frozen. I took my dog out on the ice with me and we had a lovely winter adventure. I love going to Edgewater park.”
“Captain Frank's Restaurant on the Lake. It was so good - ice cream cones from a window. Really nice plated fish inside dinning. Watching the frozen lake in winter was so serene and like magic the way the waves freeze and they cut the ice for the ships.”
“I frequently walk to the end of the malls and am disappointed I can’t easily get to the lake.”
“I grew up one block away from the lake. Because of that, water has always played a huge part in my life whether it was going to the beach, fishing, boating, kayaking or recharging and finding peace.”
“Beach hopping”
“Going to the lake reminds me of peace and happiness/ I think about the biggest things in life - good and bad - and I find peace in life.”
“While teaching I brought my residentially-housed students to the Rock Hall Educational Programs, they felt magical walking behind the Rock Hall along Lake Erie.”
“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.”
“Jump in the lake as kids.”
“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.”
“Fishing at Lake Erie at E. 55th Marina”
“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've only visited one time and went on the good time 3. Had a blast”
“Was a regular fisher on Lake Erie.”
“I love to visit the lake. I wish it was closer to my house.”
“I love roller skating along paved trails by the beach and would love to see more trails”
“I like to go to concerts.”
“My favorite memories involve staring at the lake at sunset”
“Captain Frank's”
“Just really love Mentor Headlands State park on Lake Erie many good times and down the road from there is Scooters restaurant and it's the BEST”
“We live on the lake and love the ever-changing backdrop. Calm as glass, turbulent lake effect, dreamy sunsets and icy glaciers - all amazing. We are always fascinated that the sunset shifts by 90 deg between summer and winter.”
“Too many to tell, maybe watching the sunrise walking on the ice a mile out a few years ago.”
“Not much. Just love living near our beautiful lake”
“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”
“Anywhere on the lake front, the flats, etc is such a good time! Just look at places like Edgewater, Lakewood Park, and other parks along the lakeshore. People show up when it's nice! Places are packed. I don't live close to the lake anymore & miss it all of the time.”
“I learned to sail and race on Lake Erie at 21 years old and it changed my life.”
“We overlook the lake from our apartment and I look out on it every day.”
“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).”
“Going to the lake and climbing on the rocks lettings the water splash on us as kids”
“When I was a child, I was in girl scouts. We had a father daughter day and I rode the Good Time III with my dad. I still have the polaroid photo we took in front of the boat. It was such fun time, spending quality time with my dad meant a lot to me.”
“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.”
“Enjoyed very much Mentor Headlands Beach as a kid. I think its important to have a clean beachfront to allow for this...but with increased algal blooms its important to provide remediation to be able to use this space in perpetuity.”
“I grew up on the lake. Going to the beach with friends and family, I still kayak and paddle board often, and just sitting at the beach to find peace!”
“Being on the E55th Fishing Pier and Cruising on the Goodtime III with family and friends”
“I photograph the lake and beautiful sunrises and sunsets”
“We are sailors who love being out on the water.”
“Every visit from my hometown of Columbus to Cleveland with my family included a stop at Captain Frank's Restaurant on the e9th Street Pier. We would also visit for the annual family reunion at Labor Day weekend when we could also watch the Air Show.”
“The beauty of the lake while relaxing with your family is precious”
“Lake Erie has so many attractions and stories. The Nautica Queen, tales of the Lake Erie Monster, the pier near the RRHOF.”
“Fishing at all of my grandfathers "fishing holes" on Lake Erie.”
“There is nothing like Lake Erie and its scenery and serenity”
“I've never been but am looking forward to it.”
“I remember lake day and fishing. Festivals at the beach.”
“I went to Edgewater Beach as a child and still take other children there today. It is greatly improved and wonderful to play in. Make another Edgewater!!!”
“Walking along the shore, with places to sit and enjoy looking at the lake.”
“Fireworks during holidays and events.......... need good spot to watch with families fireworks off the lake,”
“Fishing on the lake with my son is a really great memory for us both.”
“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.”
“We have a boat in Lake Erie. Never thought I'd be a boat person as I'm deathly afraid of the ocean. Lake Erie is enormous, but she doesn't intimidate me. She can whip up a nasty storm here and there but otherwise, I've 110% become an avid boat person BECAUSE of Lake Erie. I'm very proud of our lake. We had Scottish friends visit recently. I think they were expecting LE to be somewhat small. They were stunned at how gigantic the lake is. "IT' LIKE THE SEA!!!" Proud resident moment.”
“Going down to lakefront in winter”
“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,”
“picnics and fishing”
“For years when we would be in the area for travel softball we always would take the time to visit the water.”
“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.”
“All summer we would take drives to be near lake Erie before air conditioning we would take a quick dip and dry while eating a picnic dinner and at sunset drive home . Great memories.”
“Enjoy boating and fishing on lake as well as view beauty.”
“Kayaking in the lake was beautiful. Hopefully we can preserve the cleanliness for future generations?”
“memories fishing with family”
“Fishing at the lake and picnics”
“having fun just watching the water”
“Going to the beach in Bay Village is one of my favorite memories of growing up here.”
“a good fisherman's wharf and all the tales that go with good eating with family and friends”
“I learned to swim in lake Erie. Twice a year we would go to the Euclid beach. And then go into the lake. Looking for ship recks. That's when I found out commander Admiral Perry's 1st Mate was a black teenager at 16 years old that help fight the Battle of Lake Erie.”
“We homeschool our kids and we spend many hours a week at the lake and in the Metroparks enjoying nature and science.”
“Edge Water Park checking out the sandcastles a group had built and walking out to Whisky Island.”
“My experiences with Lake Erie revolve around looking at it and not really in it or enjoying it. In contrast, my Great Lakes highlights involve swimming, paddle boarding, or floating in the SW Michigan area of Lake Michigan and the same water activities plus boardwalk/parks/restaurant cod the Beaches area of Toronto (who have transformed cleanliness of water over last couple decades).”
“Goodtime III with family”
“A day boating, and trips up the Cuyahoga River.”
“Mentor headlands with my girlfriends in college”
“boatin throughout the summer.”
“Spending the day on the lake and enjoying the 4th of July Fireworks. Kayaking and swimming off of kayaks in the open water.”
“I am a Great Lakes person and I love freshwater! We love the Great Lakes for kayaking, biking, swimming and skiing. I don't like salt water beaches so we vacation in the Great Lakes!”
“As a kid I grew up going to Edgewater park and Simms park in Euclid. I love how those have been transformed and I'm looking forward to visiting hopefully using public transportation. As a kid we took the bus or the rapid everywhere.”
“Love going to Edgewater and my family visits the Cleveland History Center for memories of Euclid Beach Park's carousel”
“love being by the lake - I live nearby and walk there weekly”