Cleveland Metroparks (clevelandmetroparks.com)
Big Creek Reservation – Memphis Picnic Area
Brecksville Reservation – Sleepy Hollow Golf Course, designated fairways
Euclid Creek Reservation – Kelly Picnic Area
Rocky River Reservation – Sledding hill north of Barrett Road in Berea
Rocky River Reservation Golf Course – Only on designated fairways including Big Met Golf Course, Little Met Golf Course, and Mastick Woods Golf Course
South Chagrin Reservation – There is a sledding hill is off Hawthorn Parkway south of Solon Road near Solon.
Night Lighting Available
Hinckley Reservation – Sledding hill off State Road
Mill Stream Run Reservation – Pawpaw Picnic Area
North Chagrin Reservation – Old River Farm Picnic Area
Geauga County Park District (geaugaparkdistrict.org)
Sledding hills can be found at Orchard Hills Park in Chesterland and Beartown Lakes Reservation in Auburn Township. After-dark sledding is available at Orchard Hills.
Lake Metroparks (lakemetroparks.com)
Chagrin River Park — 3100 Reeves Road, Willoughby — A moderate hill located off the Riverwood trail.
Chapin Forest Reservation — 10381 Hobart Road, Kirtland — Sledding opportunity for young children.
Hidden Valley Park — 4872 Klasen Road, Madison Township — The moderate sledding hill is located next to the parking lot.
Riverview Park — 4895 Bailey Road, Madison Township —Steepest hill.
Note: Each park is equipped with a fire ring for guests to use to keep warm.
Lorain County Metro Parks (www.metroparks.cc)
A larger sledding hill is located in the Vermilion River Reservation at 51211 North Ridge Road, Vermilion; there’s a semi-enclosed shelter nearby to warm up in.
Summit Metro Parks (summitmetroparks.org)
Cascade Valley — 1061 Cuyahoga Street, Akron — The Oxbow Area features a large sledding hill that is illuminated for nighttime thrill seekers.
Munroe Falls — 521 S. River Road, Munroe Falls and 1088 North Ave., Tallmadge — as well as Goodyear Heights, 2077 Newton St, Akron permit sleds.
Sled enthusiasts can also hit the hills of Firestone, 55 E. Warner Road, Akron, and Furnace Run, 4955 Townsend Road, Richfield.
Toboggan Time
An ice roller coaster — that’s what it like to go on a toboggan ride. Northeast Ohio has the only public toboggan chutes in the state.
Toboggan Chutes, Mill Stream Run Reservation
Zoom down this 70-foot ride from Cleveland Metroparks that’s unlike any other in the state. No snow? No problem, the chutes are still open for business. Admission: One ride ticket $6; all-day ticket adults $12, all-day ticket children 11 and younger $10. 16200 Valley Pkwy., Strongsville, 440-572-9990, clevelandmetroparks.com/Main/toboggan-chutes.aspx
Other Sledding Hills
Celebrate the flakes! The bigger the snowflakes the better the sledding conditions at these local hills.
Kendall Hills
Cuyahoga Valley National Park becomes a winter wonderland in December. Make the most of it by sledding at this free popular spot. Quick Road, Peninsula, 330-657-2752, nps.gov/cuva/planyourvisit/winter-sports.htm
Punderson State Park
This 741-acre park includes a lit sledding hill along with cross-country skiing trails — and if you happen to have a dog sled, you can do that here, too. 11755 Kinsman Road, Newbury, 440-564-2279, parks.ohiodnr.gov/punderson
Reindeer Run
The 150-foot sledding hill is constructed inside Lock 3 in Downtown Akron. Designed for children 14 and younger, they can ride this all-season slide with an adult. Sleds rentals are $3 for 30 minutes. 200 S. Main St., Akron, 330-375-2877, lock3live.com/iceskating.aspx
Sledding Safety:
Follow Some Simple Safety Rules
The kids have their sleds and are bundled up and ready to go. Follow these rules to keep yourself and other sledders safe:
- Designate a go-to adult. In the event someone gets injured, you’ll want an adult on hand to administer first aid and, if necessary, take the injured sledder to the emergency room.
- Make sure the hill is free of obstacles such as jumps, bumps, rocks, poles or trees before you begin sledding. Avoid hillsides that end near ponds, trees, fences or other hazards.
- Choose hills that are snowy rather than icy. An icy slope makes for a hard landing if you fall off your sled.
- Always sit face-forward on your sled. Never sled down a hill backward or while standing, and don’t go down the hill face-first, as this greatly increases the risk of a head injury.
- Ages 5 and younger should sled with an adult, and kids younger than 12 should be actively watched at all times.
- If you find yourself on a sled that won’t stop, roll off it and get away from it.
- Wear sensible winter clothing — hats, gloves or mittens, snow pants, winter jacket, snow boots — that is waterproof and warm, and change into something dry if your clothes get wet.
- Avoid wearing scarves or any clothing that can get caught in a sled and pose a risk of strangulation.
- Wear a helmet designed for winter sports. If you don’t have a ski or winter sports helmet, at least wear the helmet you use for biking or skateboarding.
This information was provided by KidsHealth. Visit KidsHealth.org or TeensHealth.org. The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth.
