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.
“I grew up boating and jet skiing on the lake. I think Lake Erie has a lot of nostalgia for the people who grew up here and that should be preserved as much as possible.”
“Not a particular memory; more the notion of being able to easily access the beauty and wonder of Lake Erie.”
“Picnics, swimming, concerts, fireworks and my Grandparents & Parents stories living along the lake near Euclid Beach.”
“Always spent time at the lakefront. Missed it when I moved away.”
“Euclid beach”
“Going to Edgewater with my family to watch the fireworks every Fourth of July”
“For me it is living there over 35yrs ago and being able to walkout to the end of my parents driveway and be able to see Lake Erie. For me Cleveland will always be my home no matter where I live.”
“I remember going to a Indians game with my dad in the early 1970's and looking over the mall C wall toward the lakefront as a young boy and seeing the big gap between us and the lakefront became of the railroad track and the highway.”
“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 fish off of E.72nd Street Pier. I play catch with my family in different parks along the lakefront. I also go to football games downtown with my brother.”
“I only went there as a kid to the science center. I don't like football.”
“walking around north coast harbor.”
“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.”
“Being together”
“I've never been but am looking forward to it.”
“Sunsets are the best. Its a very peaceful lake. But not downtown. Too much pavement.”
“I grew up on the baches of Euclid. There is not much Beach left, it's all cliffs. The waterfront is where I relax.”
“I have always enjoyed riding the good time cruises and spending time in that area. I’ve also enjoyed taking walks down and near the pier on my lunch breaks.”
“The first time I saw the lake frozen over I was astounded- it was so surreal and beautiful.”
“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.”
“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.”
“Fishing on the lake with my son is a really great memory for us both.”
“I can't imagine living where there isn't water! So many memories especially at Lakewood Park and just enjoying the water on my drive to work! Just looking at water seems to calm me!”
“I love Edgewater, so having another park and recreational area that Clevelanders can enjoy would be vital to the city.”
“Fishing with my father. On the beach with my son and dog.”
“great office building views”
“So many memories of going to Euclid Beach Amusement Park with my grandmother, who went on all the rides along with me and my brother!”
“Going to Euclid Beach amusement park and beach as a child.”
“I love the lake. So peaceful.”
“Walking along the shore, with places to sit and enjoy looking at the lake.”
“Seeing the Hulett unloaders in action from a few yards away, and later paddling directly under their still masses shortly before they were dismantled. I've heard there is one languishing in pieces in Lorain. Would make a fun kids' ride for a final coup de grace! Bonne chance!”
“Because we live in Euclid next to Lake Erie, my mom and dad made us take swimming lessons every year until we were strong. Now we can enjoy the lake in a safer way. We made our children take lessons every year too. Sunsets in the Cleveland on Lake Erie are far superior to Key West, Florida - you should capitalize on this fact.”
“love being by the lake - I live nearby and walk there weekly”
“My fondest memories are walking along the sandy shore with the waves lapping near.”
“I went water tubing around the harbor once and it was so fun, being able to be in the water was an amazing feeling.”
“I can walk to the beach with my family.”
“Probably not very applicable, but I remember going fishing with my father off East 72nd pier.”
“Love Lake Erie because it is beautiful and where I go to relax.”
“The working, industrial waterfront was always a place of wonder and entertainment. I can dovetail well with re-imagining plans.”
“The view touches your soul”
“The great lakes are great - I am reminded of this every time I visit.”
“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.”
“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!”
“Kayaking and biking along the lakefront are my two favorite activities.”
“I have played sand volleyball at Voinovich Park the last 3 years. It is a great place to play, so adding more space like Voinovich for everyone to enjoy would really enhance the lakefront.”
“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.”
“I have a lot of memories watching the sunset over the lake as a child with my family, occasionally we would eat dinner or ice cream on a summer night while watching the sun set. I also have fond memories of the beach on summer days, and watching the air show over the lake”
“going fishing and hanging out on the large rocks”
“I grew up in the Cleveland area but my dad was from Northern Ontario... I always loved that the water touching here is the same water touching my family up north!!”
“I frequently walk to the end of the malls and am disappointed I can’t easily get to the lake.”
“We donated engraved pavers for Dad and Uncle Sam before they passed away”
“100 year old father loved fishing at the old Power House.”
“sand volleyball, concerts at Edgewater”
“Bring back a Captain Frank’s style restaurant. Also, the restaurant at the airport.”
“Boat on lake Erie”
“Cherished memories were going down to Edgewater Park on the Fourth of July with my friends when I was in high school & college, hanging out on the breakwall rocks while we waited for the fireworks.”
“one time I went there and spoke briefly to a guy about fishing”
“I worked on the Cleveland Lakefront Plan, adopted in 2004. Spent many many many days and evenings along the lakefront (west side, downtown, and east) to understand the natural and human-made interface between land and water. The convergence of Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga, experienced from the causeway by the lighthouse is breathtaking.”
“walking to the browns stadium from E.9th and at the game (I was 8) getting chicken tenders and using bbq instead of ketchup.”
“the fact you can have easy access to the lake and enjoy it is my favorite memory about the lake.”
“rowing on the lake at sunrise”
“I loved going swimming in the lake as a kid.”
“Great time at Euclid Beach Park.”
“Edge Water Park checking out the sandcastles a group had built and walking out to Whisky Island.”
“Fishing, boating, walking along the stones at edge water.”
“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.”
“Just bought a home here.”
“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.”
“I grew up at the beach, swimming, kayaking, paddling boarding, surfing the list goes on. The lake is critical to showcase and protect.”
“We need a place to walk around that's pretty and is a destination”
“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).”
“Part of the reason I moved from Akron to Cleveland is to enjoy the lakeshore.”
“We overlook the lake from our apartment and I look out on it every day.”
“Edgewater Park on weekends to play volleyball”
“I was on the beach and I saw my teacher on a boat in the summertime. It was funny.”
“The lakefront is a relaxing place I brought my children to the beach decades ago and Edgewater was the place to be.”
“I used to fish and swim in the lake when I was a kid.”
“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.”
“I liked Captain Franks.”
“I have photos of 5 generations of my family taking kids to the beaches here!”
“going to Captain Franks and also fishing with my uncle”
“watching fireworks by 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!”
“I like Edgewater concerts. It would be cool to go to a beach downtown where I live. Also a pool like in the Flats.”
“Peace serenity camaraderie”
“The beauty of the lake while relaxing with your family is precious”
“My Grandma used to take me to The Great Lakes Science Center when I was a kid. I loved it there! They had an observation deck where you could see the lake and birds like to land around there. I remember getting up close and seeing seagulls, ducks, and geese. One time I even saw a seagull snatch a fish from the lake! That was always fun. I love birds.”
“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.”
“Tailgate at browns games”
“Fishing, fishing, fishing.”
“As a child we always came to Huntington Beach in the summer for swimming and picnics in the park.”
“I am deeply connected to the water because of my opportunities to have access to Lake Erie. Gaining more access to the water and surrounding areas for people who do not live the water would be wonderful. Additional green space helps counteract the pollution from our industrial city.”
“4th of July fireworks with family and friends!”
“The lake is a part of CLE. It's not separate, it's part of our city and our lives. It's beautiful, calming and powerful depending on the day and season. Edgewater is a prime example of excellent use of lake front space and enabling our community access to the water, and many places to play and hang with friends and family. I sail a fair amount each summer and knowing what a terrific asset Lake Erie is for life, for precious water, and for a 'feel' of CLE is part of the joy of living next to one of the Great Lakes.”
“Lived on the lake in Euclid for several years. Watching storms approach on tempest-tossed Lake Erie is always memorable”
“memories fishing with family”
“Rowing, kayaking, SUP. Music festivals.”
“Witnesses my first PowWow ever at edge water and felt transported and transformed. It would be a huge mistake and loss to not incorporate the native people in this design and focus.”
“My mom has a dock at 55th and enjoys paddling with inflatable kayaks. I grew up in Lakewood and loved Lakewood Park, Edgewater, Perkins Piers, the Gold Coast, Huntington in Bay. Used to layout and read books on the large rocks. Loved water skiing. The ability to just relax and be while enjoying nature. Skipping stones. People do like looking for sea glass.”