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.
“Fishing”
“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.”
“Edgewater is the prettiest beach. I walk my dog there.”
“Collecting colored lake glass”
“I endured it in the 60s. It's come a long way back baby!”
“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.”
“All of it as a safe place to be.”
“I scale the giant boulders to get a view of the lake – a bit dangerous. I run/walk around the lakefront preserve and listen to nature – very peaceful. I go paddle boarding starting at Merwin's wharf. I enjoy food and drinks in the flats.”
“The lake means home to me. I am at the lake several times a week with my dog. It is where I go to feel connected with something greater.”
“I grew up on Lake Erie and there has always been the stigma with Cleveland as having nothing to do on the waterfront. Summers as a kid were spent on the water and at the sandbars on our boats and I've been able to give that same experience to my kids. Some of our fondest memories come from time on the lake.”
“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 the lake. So peaceful.”
“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.”
“Going to the lake and climbing on the rocks lettings the water splash on us as kids”
“I remember as a child my mother bringing all 11 children to Mentor Headlands swimming, picnics and my husband and I would bring my 3 sons to Edgewater for picnics and fireworks. I'm creating the same memories with my 3 grandchildren.”
“As a kid, my parents always took my sister and I to Cedar Point. I always thought Lake Erie was magnificent.”
“My mom tells the story of walking me and my sister in a stroller to Edgewater when we were babies. She said she would walk everyday to the beach to keep her sanity as a young mom lol. I hope this can be a place stressed out Moms can come to relax with their babies”
“Family picnics, days looking at wildlife. The beauty of the lake. I could spend hours just looking at the lake itself.”
“The Lake Erie waterfront is the most diverse natural waterway on the planet,”
“Love going to Edgewater and my family visits the Cleveland History Center for memories of Euclid Beach Park's carousel”
“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.”
“My Dad and Uncle are big boaters and I grew up spending a lot of time on their boats. Great Lakes boating is its own wonderful thing as we heard from the first person to ask a question to the panel today and is the Captain of a wonderful group of Northeast Ohio boaters. Boating on the Lake is special.”
“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).”
“I have many fond memories as a child swimming in Lake Erie, and as an adult boating on the lake. We have an incredible opportunity here to get this right.”
“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!”
“We have visited Cleveland a few times. We love the downtown and Lake area. There is so much potential here and glad you are looking at some ideas.”
“Riding my bike down to the lake.”
“Growing up, my family and I used to go for walks along the lake (on the west side since there weren't many walking areas along the lake downtown). I always enjoyed Edgewater and Huntington beach for all the interesting rock croppings you can journey out on. Downtown, I'd like to see something similar to what is along the water at Bangaroo Reserve at the Sydney Harbor.”
“Just the natural lake! Picking up shells in the sand while gentle waves wash over your feet! Beautiful sunsets!”
“Nature”
“I use it as a spiritual sanctuary to talk to my ancestors and offer gifts.”
“fishing with grandpa; cleanliness of the lake is paramount”
“Boating, sunsets, dining”
“Short and sweet. I have now lived more than half my life away from the lake, down in Columbus, yet its pull on me is greater than ever. I can stand on a beach and watch waves or throw pebbles into the lake for hours. When I retire we will be moving back to somewhere close to the lake.”
“I've always had fun on the lake!”
“My fondest memories are walking along the sandy shore with the waves lapping near.”
“The view touches your soul”
“I got to the football games.”
“I walk often at Edgewater, it's just a beautiful area now. I was on jury duty, and walked to North coast harbor one day just to see what was happening there. I walked down W.3rd, in front of the Science Center and Rock Hall to the area in front. I sat and enjoyed the people and the lake. It made me look at Cleveland as a tourist. It was a great area. I would like to get to the water instead of being on top of it.”
“The working, industrial waterfront was always a place of wonder and entertainment. I can dovetail well with re-imagining plans.”
“sunrises with my dog at Edgewater.”
“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.”
“My fondest memories are fishing from the rocks, watching the airshow from the old aquarium hill and biking along MLK drive to the lake.”
“We are fortunate we belong to CYC and live in Rocky River where we walk to the lake front beaches daily and have easy access to Lake Erie. We have had a lot of visitors this year and they truly love experiencing the lake. I get very excited to show off Cleveland area. I totally think it is very underrated. I think it is hard for visitors not having as easy access to the beautiful Lake Erie. Last Saturday, we hopped on our jet skis, the lake was perfectly flat, as we approach downtown Cleveland, I couldn't help to be thankful to live in such a beautiful. But thought it would be nice other people could enjoy the beautiful Lake Erie with a beach and hotel on the water. Was recently in Erie, PA and was very impressed with their waterfront development.”
“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.”
“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.”
“Living downtown I always loved visiting this area but it was always a cold shoulder going north of the stadium. The land bridge would be the best start for this area creating better access and making the Malls useful.”
“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”
“Our favorite family moments with our kids (6,4,2) happen around Cleveland's lakefront. We love grilling and having picnics at Edgewater and Wendy Park, walking along the beach and waterfront and spending time on the Solstice Steps at Lakewood Park or at the beach at Huntington. I cannot wait for the downtown and tourist population to have this opportunity right in the heart of the city.”
“fishing with my father on the lakefront”
“used to take my kids to lake when little. everyone should be able to”
“Grew up going to Muni Stadium for ball games.”
“Fishing at all of my grandfathers "fishing holes" on Lake Erie.”
“Edgewater. But its hard to get to without a car. Its a long walk from the bus stop to the beach.”
“Its easy to forget Cleveland is a coastal town- I feel most connected near the water- so anything that brings me to the lake is wonderful”
“Watching the view at sunset and one night of the lakefront.”
“Going to baseball games at the old stadium. Going to different events at the lakefront.”
“Lots of picnics, dog walks”
“I grew up at the beach, swimming, kayaking, paddling boarding, surfing the list goes on. The lake is critical to showcase and protect.”
“watching the sunset at Lakewood Park with my loved ones - including my dog”
“I like to go to concerts.”
“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,”
“When I was a child, my grandparents took me to Mark IV restaurant at Burke.”
“When I was a kid, my grandmother lived at Euclid Beach Apartments and we would walk down to the beach every time I visited. It was beautiful and something I didn't have at home.”
“going to the islands.”
“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.”
“Getting outdoors to enjoy with family.”
“Going to the lake to BBQ and listen to music”
“I love kayaking, rowing, and paddleboarding, it would be great to do this downtown.”
“Just going to the lake every summer”
“I take trips to the lakefront when I need to reset my mind and my day.”
“Sailboat racing every week in summer.”
“I live a couple of blocks from Edgewater Park and some of my favorite memories are visiting Lake Erie in winter. It is an extra special place when it's snowing and windy or the lake is frozen - it's quiet, mysterious and magical and like no place else in Cleveland.”
“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.”
“Some of my favorite memories from the lakefront were travelling to Mentor Headlands, or even Erie, PA to experience our lake. For future generations, they should all have access to our lake more closely connected to our city besides Edgewater park. This will connect the people downtown to the waterfront and without a doubt create more tourism.”
“Jump in the lake as kids.”
“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.”
“As a child I would come down to the lake with my grandparents. My grandma would buy fish directly from the fisherman.”
“My favorite memories involve staring at the lake at sunset”
“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 grew up spending summers on Lake Michigan - walking to the beach and good food right on the lake - we lived outdoors on summer vacation. I would love to give my children the same experiences but on Lake Erie. More restaurants please!”
“Picnics, swimming, concerts, fireworks and my Grandparents & Parents stories living along the lake near Euclid Beach.”
“Night fishing off the break wall with neighbors and friends”
“We release family's ashes into the lake.”
“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.”
“Coming down to capt Franks on date night cooking out at Indians season openers walking why my girlfriend (future wife) along the pier”
“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 had several great experiences taking kayaks from Rocky River Reservation out on the lake. Paddled to a shallow spot where boats had dropped anchor and people were swimming and enjoying the lake.”
“swimming with my mother”
“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.”
“Taking the kids to lake beaches is awesome.”
“having fun just watching the water”
“The first time I saw the lake frozen over I was astounded- it was so surreal and beautiful.”
“I like the lake. I like the tacos at the restaurant.”
“I grew up enjoying the amenities of Euclid Beach Park: the picnic pavilion, frozen custard and taffy, the rides, the penny arcade and the fishing pier.”
“Love the Rock Hall music on the plaza...family friendly. A great start to come down and enjoy the area.”
“I took a Great Lakes Roadtrip and was thrilled to be able to step foot in Lake Erie. Sorry I missed what is to come but I can visit again and experience this amazing new lakefront park.”
“Tailgate at browns games”
“When I was a child my father always took me fishing there, I would like the lakefront to be safe and have more barriers.”