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 think its pretty. But I cannot swim. I fish.”
“enjoying fresh fried perch at Capt. Franks.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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!”
“The Browns 0-16 parade”
“Euclid Beach Amusement Park”
“The lake in winter when it's quiet and the snow mixes with the sand.”
“I would go to the east 55th pier with my dad to feed the sea gulls. A place that people in Cleveland can call home where memories are created”
“Picnics, swimming, concerts, fireworks and my Grandparents & Parents stories living along the lake near Euclid Beach.”
“Watching the view at sunset and one night of the lakefront.”
“My dad would “take us to the lake” every warm Friday. We would mostly sit in silence and enjoy our surroundings. I would give anything to have a Friday night like that again!”
“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.”
“we take long family walks after dinner, ever since the pandemic”
“The Browns stadium is my go to running route downtown. And the hills on W. 3rd & E, 9th bridge are REAL.”
“I love roller skating along paved trails by the beach and would love to see more trails”
“sunset watching, walking my dog, more recently concerts downtown on Sundays”
“Not a particular memory; more the notion of being able to easily access the beauty and wonder of Lake Erie.”
“My wife and I moved here 5 years ago and fell in love with the city. We, like many others, had not heard the best of things about the city. The people are great, the downtown center has a vibrant culture, and minus a few months in the winter, lake city weather. We quickly found lake access at Edgewater Park and actually had our wedding by the willow tree there. Something we could never understand was why you couldn't access the lake from the city? Downtown has everything someone would want to enjoy but does not utilize a beautiful lake behind it. Everybody that visits wonders the same thing. I hope this development works out because some people can't hop in a car to the lake whenever they feel like it. An easily accessible lake front for downtown residents and tourists would attract so many more people to this great town. And help people fall in love with it like my wife and I did.”
“I am a native Clevelander who enjoys the beautiful shores and blue waters of our Lake Erie. Some of my fondest memories include hanging out on the beach, sailing across its choppy waters, and bringing visitors from out of town to see our lake.”
“I use it as a spiritual sanctuary to talk to my ancestors and offer gifts.”
“Part of the reason I moved from Akron to Cleveland is to enjoy the lakeshore.”
“My grandparents would take me to the lake when I was little. They lived really close by and it was so peaceful I remember. I've been to the Flats for dinner for my birthday, too.”
“Mentor headlands with my girlfriends in college”
“Picnics at Edgewater, playful beach time in Vermilion, beach walks at Mentor Headlands, walks out the E. 9th Street peer when I could visit downtown as a teen.”
“Riding the train to the lakefront”
“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.”
“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.”
“I photograph the lake and beautiful sunrises and sunsets”
“The lake is what ties The Land (room) together.”
“I love the lakefront. Uncle and brother would enjoy fishing here!!”
“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.”
“As a small child our family would take a "vacation" and drive 2 miles to a rental cottage in Euclid on the lake and spend a few days at the beach. Being so young, it seemed like we were at the ocean.”
“I have photos of 5 generations of my family taking kids to the beaches here!”
“In high school, my friends and I would pick up a picnic lunch and drive to Mentor Headlands for a lazy afternoon of sunning and talking. I loved how uncommercial it was. No pretense. And very peaceful.”
“I saw the Rolling Stones at old Municipal Stadium.”
“Fishing at all of my grandfathers "fishing holes" on Lake Erie.”
“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.”
“I enjoy boat shows and festivals like Tall Ships. I am passionate about the lake.”
“Walking along the shore, with places to sit and enjoy looking at the lake.”
“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 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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“Going down to Edgewater with my mom.”
“fishing and watching sunsets on the lake.”
“Fishing with ma. Great times.”
“We overlook the lake from our apartment and I look out on it every day.”
“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!”
“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!”
“My kids and I love rock climbing, beach walking, playground exploring at Edgewater.”
“I love Edgewater, so having another park and recreational area that Clevelanders can enjoy would be vital to the city.”
“Great memories with my son as he grew up. We live close to the lake in Euclid and started sailing after owning kayaks for years. We met Trash Fish Eddie this last weekend and learned about plastic pollution. We are so lucky to have a river and lake.”
“We take our jet skies to the area frequently and would love to see the area with human life rather than parking lots”
“I used to work at the Justice Center and I would walk down West 3rd bridge to the ballpark for day games. The lake is our difference maker from other cities”
“Probably not very applicable, but I remember going fishing with my father off East 72nd pier.”
“I love to fish.”
“I only went there as a kid to the science center. I don't like football.”
“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.”
“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.”
“used to take my kids to lake when little. everyone should be able to”
“My husband and I take many romantic day trips to the Lakeshore.”
“When I was a child my father always took me fishing there, I would like the lakefront to be safe and have more barriers.”
“Peace serenity camaraderie”
“Going to Browns games in the fall”
“I love the lake. So peaceful.”
“memories of tubing with friends on the back of a boat and kayaking with family in the lake”
“Getting outdoors to enjoy with family.”
“I spent most summer weekends at my grandparents cottage near Mentor Headlands playing in and on the lake. My brother had a boat when we were older and we spent lots of time on the lake and Cuyahoga river”
“Going to the lake to BBQ and listen to music”
“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.”
“My family had a farm that boarded lake Erie in Vermilion I vividly remember the fun of swimming, bond fires and hanging out with family - - I was just a young kid but remember the thrill of being in and around the lake.”
“The Lake represents freedom, tranquility and beckons exploration and discovery. It also requires respect and understanding of its wonderment.”
“My sister bought a brick on North Coast Harbor to mark my 25 years in the convent.”
“We love looking for beach glass and the metal balls that weight the ships down”
“Fishing with my mom and dad”
“I can walk to several small beaches and sit next to the lake. When I worked and got overwhelmed, only sitting near the waves, the calm water or the ice formations gave me perspective.”
“Love fishing on the lake with family and friends.”
“watching the Browns Steelers game in a Steelers shirt Also loved the old Flats”
“Edgewater. But its hard to get to without a car. Its a long walk from the bus stop to the beach.”
“The lakefront has always been a place for Cambodian Refugees to gather as a community.”
“Captain Frank's”
“Mom and Dad would take us to the airshow.”
“Fishing with family in the summer.”
“The lakefront is a relaxing place I brought my children to the beach decades ago and Edgewater was the place to be.”
“Just going to the lake every summer”
“Love the amphitheater also going to the beach”
“When I was young we would always go fishing there.”
“I had to do abolition research, there are great, heroic stories of people fleeing slavery from areas we now call University Circle, down Doan brook to the lake.”
“bike rides and sunsets”
“Watching 4th of July Fireworks from the pier is my favorite thing to do on the lakefront.”
“Celebrate my b-day at the Capt 1967 – till it closed.”
“We love watching the sunset at that small park on the lake in Rocky River.”
“the fact you can have easy access to the lake and enjoy it is my favorite memory about the lake.”
“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.”
“Watching fireworks”
“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 and friends hangs, fireworks, beach, ice cream”
“I performed at the Rock Hall and afterwards we walked around the Lake. It was great. I play with my friends on the volleyball courts, too.”