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.
“The lake has been a huge part of our lives growing up and now in our children's life through the traditions of water sports, boating, kayaking, jet skiing, watching lake sunsets, walks by the lake and riding roller coasters by the lake. We are lucky to live near this natural beauty.”
“Family picnics, days looking at wildlife. The beauty of the lake. I could spend hours just looking at the lake itself.”
“Spending time at Edgewater Park provides a experience for Cleveland. For a brief moment you feel as if you are out of town enjoying the beach and weather.”
“I went kayaking once on Lake Erie with the Port of Cleveland.”
“As a new Clevelander for about 19 months - my lakefront story was just the best! Calming, relaxing, and adventurous!”
“We love looking for beach glass and the metal balls that weight the ships down”
“I love the access to the beaches we have in NEO. Very scenic views of downtown plus a new beach would be awesome downtown. Feels like freedom to be on the water.”
“The Browns stadium is my go to running route downtown. And the hills on W. 3rd & E, 9th bridge are REAL.”
“We release family's ashes into the lake.”
“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.”
“Going to the lakefront to see the beauty and power of the lake. Fishing with Dad and Uncles.”
“Tailgating has always been one of my fav experiences especially at Burke and muni. I think that should be preserved as much as possible as we are known for that and people look forward to make memories with friends family and football fans.”
“My family is from Alexandria, Egypt but settled in Cleveland suburbs in 1980. They thought Cleveland was similar to Alexandria as it is situated on a large body of water. The body of water resembles youth and love and community for them. With such natural beauty, it's important for it to be shown off, not hidden. Water gives life to people, it's scenic, and it makes people happy. More projects in the city should involve the water.”
“Just the natural lake! Picking up shells in the sand while gentle waves wash over your feet! Beautiful sunsets!”
“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”
“Crewing on a sailboat out of EYC.”
“Fishing as a child.”
“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.”
“Great Lakes Science Center and the pier.”
“I have photos of 5 generations of my family taking kids to the beaches here!”
“Going to baseball games at the old stadium. Going to different events at the lakefront.”
“The USS Cod is awesome.”
“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”
“Coming down to capt Franks on date night cooking out at Indians season openers walking why my girlfriend (future wife) along the pier”
“Captain Franks”
“fishing with my father on the lakefront”
“Walking the lakefront area, always a relaxing experience.”
“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.”
“love being by the lake - I live nearby and walk there weekly”
“spending time with family and friends; Edgewater Beach fireworks; live music in Lakewood's lakefront park”
“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.”
“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 grew up on the ocean and moved to this amazing lake with an ocean-like view from my Cleveland house.”
“I love going to the lake to watch the sunsets.”
“My husband and I take many romantic day trips to the Lakeshore.”
“Euclid Beach Amusement Park Collecting beach glass along Lake Erie.”
“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've been on the Goodtime. Its a lot of fun to dance on a boat.”
“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.”
“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.”
“The trollies in Cle were a wonderful way to get around.”
“boating and swimming (with my head above water!)”
“Euclid Beach Amusement Park”
“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!”
“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.”
“Watching 4th of July Fireworks from the pier is my favorite thing to do on the lakefront.”
“The great lakes are great - I am reminded of this every time I visit.”
“My family enjoys the playgrounds at the lakefront parks.”
“My father would fish (orange pale, bucket, fishing rods, tackle box, fishing hat).”
“I love to fish.”
“Just bought a home here.”
“I learned to sail and race on Lake Erie at 21 years old and it changed my life.”
“I was on the beach and I saw my teacher on a boat in the summertime. It was funny.”
“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.”
“I grew up on the baches of Euclid. There is not much Beach left, it's all cliffs. The waterfront is where I relax.”
“fishing and cookouts”
“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.”
“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.”
“4th of July fireworks with family and friends!”
“fishing and fishing peers, the industry along with cleaner water helped bring the fun and jobs back to north coast”
“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!”
“Lake Erie has so many attractions and stories. The Nautica Queen, tales of the Lake Erie Monster, the pier near the RRHOF.”
“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.”
“I was one on the lake front singing 'American Woman'”
“Went to the rip cookoff in 92 with my old college sweetie. Had not seen her in 21 yrs. Got married 7 months later. Still married (31 yrs)”
“Lake Erie is a place of relaxation and reflection for me.”
“Going to Euclid Beach amusement park and beach as a child.”
“I remember lake day and fishing. Festivals at the beach.”
“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.”
“We made a giant hole in the sand - with my friends. We buried each other. It was funny.”
“bike rides and sunsets”
“We homeschool our kids and we spend many hours a week at the lake and in the Metroparks enjoying nature and science.”
“My dog and I walk regularly at the mini park near East 55th Marina. I bike through there and along North Marginal Rd. to MLK. We need safer, well-lit routes on the N-5 roads under bridges. I have seen mink among the rocks at the mini park.”
“When I moved away, I realized how much the lake is a part of me. A river did not suffice!”
“When I was young we would always go fishing there.”
“Our family spent summers and my grandparents' cottage in Madison, and we learned to swim in Lake Erie. It is a fantastic asset that Cleveland needs to make the most of.”
“I love the lakefront!”
“Out on the boat as a kid!”
“Always have grown up interacting with the lake - very special and important natural asset, and so excited to have these new lakefront experiences Downtown as a Downtown resident!”
“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.”
“Collecting colored lake glass”
“Fishing on the lake with my son is a really great memory for us both.”
“All of it as a safe place to be.”
“Grew up going to Muni Stadium for ball games.”
“Boat on lake Erie”
“sand volleyball, concerts at Edgewater”
“Taking walks by the lake in good or bad weather with my dad”
“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.”
“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!”
“I just like sitting and enjoying dinner and watching the water and boats.”
“100 year old father loved fishing at the old Power House.”
“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.”
“I love spending time with family and friends on the lakefront.”
“I can walk to the beach with my family.”
“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.”
“The working, industrial waterfront was always a place of wonder and entertainment. I can dovetail well with re-imagining plans.”
“Playing vball downtown.”
“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.”
“Fishing with ma. Great times.”