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.
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“Never take a single sunset for granted!”
“I remember learning about Joseph “Black Joe” Hodges accompanying Moses Cleveland to the area that would become Cleveland… Can we tell this story?”
“Every year of my life I visit Cedar Point and I enjoy being on the lake and the backdrop it provides”
“My family would go fishing off the rocks on E.55th. I don't think I've been to the downtown lake. I don't go downtown.”
“Riding my bike down to the lake.”
“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.”
“going to Euclid Beach as a child...I used to love having picnics with my family on the beach”
“Edgewater is the prettiest beach. I walk my dog there.”
“Dad would take me fishing on Lake Erie. Always liked looking at city from the water.”
“I enjoy sitting at the lakefront and reflecting on life and relaxing my mind. I would like to see more flowers, benches, water fountains, playgrounds, historical statues, food places to eat.”
“The Browns 0-16 parade”
“I am a proud, lifelong resident of the greater Cleveland area (Euclid) and having Lake Erie immediately to our north has always proven to be a draw for many, including myself, whether it be swimming in the lake, walking along its shore, watching an incoming T-storm or simply taking in one of nature's magnificent sunsets.”
“Fishing with my father. On the beach with my son and dog.”
“Attending the regattas at Edgewater Yacht Club”
“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.”
“Fishing with my mom and dad”
“Euclid Beach Amusement Park”
“I grew up near Edgewater so going to the beach in the summer was a thing! We have enjoyed the concerts at Edgewater, we attend Kelly's Island in the summer with family & friends and we have taken our grandsons to Edgewater Beach as well as to the playground area.”
“When I was 5, I went to the 9th Street Pier with my dad and siblings. I was looking over the edge and fell in. I could not swim, but I made it out alive.”
“Riding my bike”
“When I moved away, I realized how much the lake is a part of me. A river did not suffice!”
“The lake is such a natural beauty. I'm lucky enough to be able to boat all summer. I hope others can have more access to Lake Erie as it has been a body of joy for me and my family.”
“Going down to park.”
“My wife and I love going to Nuevo (restaurant) and watching the sunset on Voinovich Park. Would love to see more lakeside dining options and walking paths by the lake.”
“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.”
“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 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 remember attending the Annual Chinese Picnic in the Upper Pavilion at Edgewater Park. It was great to see the community at least once a year in a large gathering like this. As kids, we played at the playground and went down to the beach, rolled down the hill, and walked through the natural pathways.”
“Miss captain Frank’s Lobster House”
“My story is that, all the times my dad would drive us as a family of four and then 5 after the third child was born, down to the area where the Cleveland sign is now and just look out and talk. We lived in the suburbs by then ( 1970's) but he grew up near Scranton and my mom did too, though left by age 6. I loved going down to the lake. He also took me and my cousins and others down for fireworks the night the terrible storm whipped in; it was unbelievable how little time we had to get away and branches or something were coming down with the sudden rain.”
“Cleveland Air Show has been integral for us for decades.”
“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.”
“Whenever I'm in Cleveland, I have to schedule every day around being at the waterfront for the sunset. Cleveland and the setting sun are synonymous to me.”
“The first time I saw the lake frozen over I was astounded- it was so surreal and beautiful.”
“Going to Euclid Beach amusement park and beach as a child.”
“When friends and family visit me, I’m always trying to find some place to take them that will allow us to explore, walk about, maybe even ride around, in an open, inviting, yet active, and invigorating space. Cleveland has many places like this… but could have more near downtown!”
“I cherish the memory of my mom and I doing our first triathlon in Lake Erie's waters.”
“Captain Frank's, Ray Co., Roller skating”
“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.”
“Euclid Beach Amusement Park Collecting beach glass along Lake Erie.”
“Many happy Sunday mornings spent sailing on Lake Erie”
“I grew up connected to Lake Erie. My family had generations of tug boat captains. Historically Cleveland was a major part of industry in America. We need to recognize that and be proud of it”
“I was born and raised in Cleveland, and have lived here my entire life. Growing up by Lake Erie has been a formative life experience for me: while many people I know have grown up by lakes (lowercase "L", smaller lakes and ponds), my closest friends and I have all grown up by the Lake (capital "L", THE Lake Erie). Weekends on the beaches of NE Ohio, evenings boating, early mornings fishing, these have all been things that have shaped my desire to see Cleveland and the lakefront flourish. I have nothing but the warmest hopes for the future of the Cleveland lakefront.”
“I learned to sail and race on Lake Erie at 21 years old and it changed my life.”
“We love watching the sunset at that small park on the lake in Rocky River.”
“Playing vball downtown.”
“having fun just watching the water”
“Boating every summer with my family - until my parents divorced. The lake reminds me of happier times.”
“enjoying my family bond while fishing”
“I have enjoyed many activities on Lake Erie, specifically Edgewater Park where I play volleyball and participated in a yoga festival.”
“fishing with dad. we were west siders but dad would fish at Gordon fishing pier. dad would drop me and my sisters at the aquarium. when we were done we would walk over route 2 on the bridge to meet dad at the fishing pier. we had sandwiches that mom packed us for lunch. great memory.”
“the Mather museum and the USS Cod are great starting points!”
“I think its pretty. But I cannot swim. I fish.”
“I love roller skating along paved trails by the beach and would love to see more trails”
“The lakefront has always been a place for Cambodian Refugees to gather as a community.”
“I am a Principal in a nearby district. recently a science teacher in my building has been doing work with her students about the importance of keeping our 'Great Lake' as clean as she can be. Work at the Watershed in the Metroparks was done this year, analysis on local rivers was completed and ultimately our students visited Stone Lab to have an experience of a life time at put in Bay. The importance of this generation to understand the importance of keeping our 'Great Lake' beautiful is imperative.”
“Every time my parents visit, I take them to Huntington Beach. So I can (ugh) hear again how they used to "neck" there. Ha! Also stories of how my father and his father used to fish off the (original) Euclid Beach pier.”
“Out on the boat as a kid!”
“Coming down to capt Franks on date night cooking out at Indians season openers walking why my girlfriend (future wife) along the pier”
“fishing and watching sunsets on the lake.”
“I've fished in Lake Erie many times when I was a wee lad and lived off of Lake Erie in Toledo, where I grew up.”
“I've lived in Cleveland all of my life. I visit the Flats and Edgewater Park frequently. I fish in Lake Erie from a boat on occasion.”
“Going to baseball games at the old stadium. Going to different events at the lakefront.”
“I love the lake. So peaceful.”
“Always spent time at the lakefront. Missed it when I moved away.”
“I grew up at the beach, swimming, kayaking, paddling boarding, surfing the list goes on. The lake is critical to showcase and protect.”
“Captain Franks”
“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.”
“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!”
“My grandmother loved Lake Erie and often asked us if we wanted to go to "The Lake." It is a tremendously underappreciated and underused feature of our city.”
“Fishing at Lake Erie at E. 55th Marina”
“My mother and I share a lot of memories of Lake Erie. Spending time with family.”
“Peace serenity camaraderie”
“Calm parks.”
“Bring back a Captain Frank’s style restaurant. Also, the restaurant at the airport.”
“For years when we would be in the area for travel softball we always would take the time to visit the water.”
“The lake teaches us to be one with the outside world and appreciate life more spiritually and in a loving way.”
“Kayaking in the lake was beautiful. Hopefully we can preserve the cleanliness for future generations?”
“I've been on the Goodtime. Its a lot of fun to dance on a boat.”
“Going to the beach in Bay Village is one of my favorite memories of growing up here.”
“Not a particular memory; more the notion of being able to easily access the beauty and wonder of Lake Erie.”
“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.”
“fishing and cookouts”
“The recovery of the Cuyahoga River”
“I love spending time with family and friends on the lakefront.”
“The trollies in Cle were a wonderful way to get around.”
“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.”
“we take long family walks after dinner, ever since the pandemic”
“Lake Erie has so many attractions and stories. The Nautica Queen, tales of the Lake Erie Monster, the pier near the RRHOF.”
“I've always had fun on the lake!”
“I grew up going to Marblehead and I think Cleveland always lacked that easier access and great use of the water. I think this would greatly get families to the water in a much better way!”
“Our family has spent many enjoyable days boating on Lake Erie and would love to experience additional activities.”
“After high school, which was on the lake, my best friend and I regularly went back for sunset and late night walks because of the connection to that space during school. Had many meaningful conversations there.”
“Picnics, swimming, concerts, fireworks and my Grandparents & Parents stories living along the lake near Euclid Beach.”
“My fondest memories are walking along the sandy shore with the waves lapping near.”
“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.”
“I love to visit the lake. I wish it was closer to my house.”
“a good fisherman's wharf and all the tales that go with good eating with family and friends”
“Boat on lake Erie”