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.
“Playing a Edgewater and Euclid Beaches with my young kids and watching them grow more confident and curious around the water, each year”
“I've always felt connected to Lake Erie. Swimming, meditating, listening, and watching the lake is soothing and restorative. The amount of life at our fingertips is one to celebrate, respect, and protect.”
“Fishing with my father. On the beach with my son and dog.”
“Lots of picnics, dog walks”
“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.”
“Eh, my family visits often. Biking, watching bands, beaching.”
“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.”
“My kids and I love rock climbing, beach walking, playground exploring at Edgewater.”
“family and friends hangs, fireworks, beach, ice cream”
“I grew up one block away from the lake. Because of that, water has always played a huge part in my life whether it was going to the beach, fishing, boating, kayaking or recharging and finding peace.”
“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.”
“Love the Rock Hall music on the plaza...family friendly. A great start to come down and enjoy the area.”
“As a kid, Edgewater for swimming. Fishing at 72nd St. pier with my husband. Picnics, swimming, nature walks at Wildpark Euclid Beach.”
“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.”
“Growing up with the ability to spend the day at the beach no matter what your economic background. Affordable activity that could be enjoyed by all generations.”
“Family reunions and BBQs, fun date nights, and children's birthday parties.”
“Attending the regattas at Edgewater Yacht Club”
“My dad grew up on Lake Erie in the 1920's,30's,40's. Times were tough for his family, but having Lake Erie as your literal front yard...WOW! I loved, and still love his childhood home.”
“My Daddy loved the lakefront. I have pictures of me and my brother with my Daddy walking by the rocks near the lake. My Daddy died in 2005. He was 52. I'm now 53. He was cremated and told my stepmother that he wanted his ashes spread on Lake Erie so she did. When I think of the lake, I think of my Daddy.”
“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!!”
“The Browns stadium is my go to running route downtown. And the hills on W. 3rd & E, 9th bridge are REAL.”
“Ice cream stand behind captain franks. Watching airplanes take off from E. 9th St. pier. Walking my dog at Donald gray gardens north of old muni stadium. Catching a train to CHI or Washington at the Amtrak station. Seeing a Indians opener with 80,000 fans.”
“I love roller skating along paved trails by the beach and would love to see more trails”
“Fishing at all of my grandfathers "fishing holes" on Lake Erie.”
“Playing vball downtown.”
“As a child, my neighbor took us on Goodtime. Also my late father had a friend who had boat and he took us on Lake Erie.”
“Great memories of swimming in the lake in the summer and watching the fireworks and music events in the parks looking out to the lake.”
“Fishing, fishing, fishing.”
“Sunsets are the best. Its a very peaceful lake. But not downtown. Too much pavement.”
“We introduced our daughter and her friends to Edgewater Beach at the Thursday night concert series. If you do the same in this new lakefront space, it will always bring new people together over food and music and the lake.”
“I grew up on the baches of Euclid. There is not much Beach left, it's all cliffs. The waterfront is where I relax.”
“Being peaceful”
“Miss captain Frank’s Lobster House”
“Probably not very applicable, but I remember going fishing with my father off East 72nd pier.”
“My daughter (2yr old at the time) had her face strung by a bee at a friends house so she was hopped up on Benadryl. I brought her to the water’s edge (during a walk during the pandemic) that day and when she got to the water’s edge, she kept saying “wow, wow” and that was very moving for me.”
“Like to exercise and the walking.”
“Many a beach days as a family at Edgewater beach”
“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 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!”
“Just the natural lake! Picking up shells in the sand while gentle waves wash over your feet! Beautiful sunsets!”
“Going to Euclid Beach amusement park and beach as a child.”
“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.”
“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.”
“enjoying my family bond while fishing”
“Lake Erie has so many attractions and stories. The Nautica Queen, tales of the Lake Erie Monster, the pier near the RRHOF.”
“Coming from Florida and NYC, both of which have amazing waterfront amenities, I was immediately struck by the immense natural beauty of Lake Erie and the untapped potential this city had if it could just link its people to the lake.”
“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.”
“The lakefront is a calming space for me - I love being by the water and enjoying nature and community programs.”
“In my almost 50 years of living in this area I've most enjoyed seeing the cleanup and preservation of our parks and rivers along with greater public access.”
“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 recovery of the Cuyahoga River”
“Going to Edgewater with my family to watch the fireworks every Fourth of July”
“Taking the kids to lake beaches is awesome.”
“Cleveland Air Show has been integral for us for decades.”
“My husband and I take many romantic day trips to the Lakeshore.”
“I use it as a spiritual sanctuary to talk to my ancestors and offer gifts.”
“Fishing, seating, walking”
“Goodtime III with family”
“After high school, which was on the lake, my best friend and I regularly went back for sunset and late night walks because of the connection to that space during school. Had many meaningful conversations there.”
“I just like sitting and enjoying dinner and watching the water and boats.”
“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.”
“Sunsets-watching them at the lake. We need more accessibility to lake and lakefront dining-we are ignoring this valuable resource currently.”
“Fishing from the pier.”
“When I was younger, I often went to Lake Erie to have fun. Now though, I don't go because its not clean.”
“I think of my first time visiting Cleveland. We went to Edgewater beach and spent a day in the sun, then walking along the docks. I loved how the large body of water made me feel, with its tides and serenity. I believe a great sunrise or sunset is the cure for almost everything.”
“Loved sitting waterfront hanging out and dining.”
“The lake is what ties The Land (room) together.”
“Preserve, honor and enhance the beauty of our lake, showcase the gem of nature of which we are blessed..”
“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.”
“the best is air show and sailing ship expo”
“The lake in winter when it's quiet and the snow mixes with the sand.”
“Enjoyed fishing with my family when I was growing up”
“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.”
“It's beautiful and always makes me feel like I'm on a vacation”
“I grew up on the ocean and moved to this amazing lake with an ocean-like view from my Cleveland house.”
“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 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.”
“having fun just watching the water”
“Always spent time at the lakefront. Missed it when I moved away.”
“The working, industrial waterfront was always a place of wonder and entertainment. I can dovetail well with re-imagining plans.”
“Out on the boat as a kid!”
“great office building views”
“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.”
“I've grown up going from Cleveland Heights/ Shaker Heights all the way out to Mentor or Vermillion to enjoy the lake.”
“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.”
“Lake Erie is a place of relaxation and reflection for me.”
“Going down to lakefront in winter”
“All summer we would take drives to be near lake Erie before air conditioning we would take a quick dip and dry while eating a picnic dinner and at sunset drive home . Great memories.”
“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.”
“Love the amphitheater also going to the beach”
“My family enjoys the playgrounds at the lakefront parks.”
“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.”
“I grew up swimming in the lake every day of the summer. People from outside the city seem to still think it's dirty. I'd like for people outside the region to realize that Lake Erie is beautiful and can be a recreational destination for visitors.”
“Favorite moments are at the lake. Sunrises, sunsets, peaceful sounds of seagulls, waves. These are some of my kids favorite moments as well”
“Fishing on the lake with my son is a really great memory for us both.”
“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.”
“I was on a speed boat.”
“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.”
“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.”