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.
“Many happy Sunday mornings spent sailing on Lake Erie”
“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.”
“Loved going to Huntington Beach when I was young. Thrilled that Edgewater was redone.”
“I love the lake. I go to all the concerts.”
“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.”
“I fish with my mom near the Cuyahoga River. We keep the fish and eat them. One time I caught nine fish in one day.”
“Sunsets-watching them at the lake. We need more accessibility to lake and lakefront dining-we are ignoring this valuable resource currently.”
“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.”
“Used to come to the IndyCar racer @ Burke-Lakefront airport. I loved the flats. When I visited the rock 'n' roll Hall of Fame, I spent four hours down at the flats afterwards.”
“I biked down to this area to hang out after I got my first covid shot at the Wolstein Center.”
“I only went there as a kid to the science center. I don't like football.”
“fishing and cookouts”
“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.”
“Crewing on a sailboat out of EYC.”
“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.”
“Grew up in Cleveland and will always remember the different views of the city, Lakewood Gold Coast, Burke Lakefront Airport and other sites from different locations s as long the Lake.”
“Our family went to the beach in Mentor Headlands, since our cousins lived in Wickliffe and Euclid. Not often, but when we did, it was a grand outing with plenty of food, softball with the uncles, badminton, some fishing.”
“sand volleyball, concerts at Edgewater”
“I know how the lake looked in the 70's. The first time I went on a boat in the mid 90's and could see the bottom clearly at 20 feet down. The water was blue and beautiful.”
“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.”
“All of it as a safe place to be.”
“Being peaceful”
“memories of the Airport, car races, air races, Air show.”
“I learned to swim in lake Erie. Twice a year we would go to the Euclid beach. And then go into the lake. Looking for ship recks. That's when I found out commander Admiral Perry's 1st Mate was a black teenager at 16 years old that help fight the Battle of Lake Erie.”
“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.”
“Fishing at Lake Erie at E. 55th Marina”
“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 love Lake Erie. Great place to have family time.”
“The USS Cod is awesome.”
“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.”
“Witnessing the vows of a couple on the lake”
“I love to visit the lake. I wish it was closer to my house.”
“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.”
“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.”
“This is a beautiful spot for different types of families needs. We found quite, beauty & an incredible tribute to the artists- the rock & roll hall of fame.”
“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!”
“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”
“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.”
“Stunning views of downtown when you’re on a boat in the lake.”
“Tailgate at browns games”
“memories of tubing with friends on the back of a boat and kayaking with family in the lake”
“Sunsets are the best. Its a very peaceful lake. But not downtown. Too much pavement.”
“When I was younger, I often went to Lake Erie to have fun. Now though, I don't go because its not clean.”
“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.”
“Burning river festival was my first time being at Lake Erie's riverfront (I moved to Cleveland a year later!). Water quality and Lake Erie's history as a leader in improving water quality is something I find amazing.”
“Being able to go down to the lake front for a picnic, some quiet reflective time, sunrises, sunsets”
“walking around north coast harbor.”
“Fishing as a child.”
“Going to Browns games in the fall”
“I go with my friends to Edgewater. Ice cream and cocktails is a must!”
“I haven't been living in Cleveland too long (only 2 years) but my first impression of Cleveland was its waterways! It is something I have very much appreciated about Cleveland and had felt like it had a lot of untapped potential.”
“Enjoyed very much Mentor Headlands Beach as a kid. I think its important to have a clean beachfront to allow for this...but with increased algal blooms its important to provide remediation to be able to use this space in perpetuity.”
“Since 1986. Municipal stadium. The day my love for Cleveland and the Cleveland browns began. Monday night Vs. The dolphins. I loved the dolphins and dan Marino at the time, I was 8. My uncle. Cousins. Dad. On that fateful night, turned me to a browns fan and Cleveland fan forever. Oh- and we won!”
“We used to collect rocks and sea glass and watch the sunset as a family”
“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.”
“Going to the lake reminds me of peace and happiness/ I think about the biggest things in life - good and bad - and I find peace in life.”
“I take my grand children downtown often. It would be nice to have more places for them to play.”
“I ride my bike along the lake in Euclid. I go with my dad and its nice to spend time together. One time I went on a sail boat.”
“watching the Browns Steelers game in a Steelers shirt Also loved the old Flats”
“The park and beauty of the lake.”
“Flying kites at Edgewater. The rib cook offs - National titles at stake. Fireworks competitions”
“My mom used to bring me and my brother down to Edgewater and I have fond memories of running around climbing in the rocks. I'll cherish those memories forever.”
“A little bit of everything. I like the cold and nature.”
“Some of my daughter's first steps were at Voinovich Park. We would often walk down 9th street to hang out near the water and enjoy the atmosphere the lakefront provides.”
“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.”
“Beach hopping”
“The lakefront has always been a place for Cambodian Refugees to gather as a community.”
“We live on the lake in Eastlake and I love it so much! I grew up boating in Vermillion and now I boat here. I always have appreciated, loved and respected Lady Lake Erie, as I call her. She is a precious jewel, but tough at the same time. So many fun family memories and I love being out on the water!”
“the fact you can have easy access to the lake and enjoy it is my favorite memory about the lake.”
“In 1975, when I was in 8th grade, my science project was "Is Lake Erie Really Dying?" I did water quality experiments and decorated my poster area with objects found along the shores of Lake Erie, including "glass shapes" (glass bulbs with filaments - rejects from the Fisher-Body Plant), trash, plastic bottles, tampon applicators, pop-tabs and much more. I studied the fish species in Nine-Mile Creek that flowed into the Lake near my house. They were all carp. As kids, we thought nothing of taking pot-shots at rats and carp in and around the streams flowing into the Lake. There were always large numbers of dead fish washing up on the lakeshore. There was graffiti on the steel walls of the marina along I-90 that read "HELP ME I'M DYING". I believed it back then! Happily, Lake Erie has bounced back and many new fish species are thriving in the Lake. It is no longer dying and we should celebrate our lakefront in every way possible!”
“I love the beach at Edgewater.”
“Boating!”
“I was born and raised in western suburb of CLE, and I grew up going to the beaches on west side and east side, as well as piers and other locations. My dad worked downtown right at E 9th and Lakeside- and had a lot of stories as well. I never really thought too much about the lake until I moved away for college and then a job in Columbus - it felt wrong to not be by the lake. I have been a city of Cle resident now for 16 years and take my kids to the beach and pier.”
“My mother and I share a lot of memories of Lake Erie. Spending time with family.”
“Getting outdoors to enjoy with family.”
“Sailboat racing every week in summer.”
“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.”
“Going to the lakefront to see the beauty and power of the lake. Fishing with Dad and Uncles.”
“When I was a child my father always took me fishing there, I would like the lakefront to be safe and have more barriers.”
“Fishing, seating, walking”
“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!”
“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.”
“Was a regular fisher on Lake Erie.”
“Love the amphitheater also going to the beach”
“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.”
“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.”
“I fish on the public shores of Lake Erie. As a fisherman, I wish we were given places that created more interaction with people who don't fish. So often we have to trek over rocks away from people. Fisherman need that social aspect too.”
“I love the lake. So peaceful.”
“Watching 4th of July Fireworks from the pier is my favorite thing to do on the lakefront.”
“Collecting shells at Lakeside Ohio's beaches.”
“I got to the football games.”
“Fishing with family in the summer.”
“Walking the lakefront area, always a relaxing experience.”
“Enjoy walking along the lakefront - Sims Park and Wildwood park.”
“When I was a child, my grandparents took me to Mark IV restaurant at Burke.”
“Great Lakes Science Center and the pier.”
“My happiest memory of the lake was when I got to experience walking on it during the winter when it was frozen. I took my dog out on the ice with me and we had a lovely winter adventure. I love going to Edgewater park.”
“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 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.”