Spring is the perfect time for families to get outside, breathe in the fresh air, and enjoy the beauty of nature together. In Northeast Ohio, there’s no shortage of options when it comes to unique ways to celebrate the season. Whether your family enjoys looking for new blooms, searching for animals, or getting active, the area’s park systems offer plenty to do.
Check out the options below for some fresh inspiration, then be sure to read up on tips for enjoying nature while also caring for the environment.
Cleveland Metroparks
Find inspiration for your backyard gardens by checking out the sprawling native plant collections at North Chagrin Nature Center, which provide a great example of how to incorporate native plants into the home landscape. Dozens of species are available to view within a short walk, and include pollinator gardens, perennial edibles, a sensory garden, and spring wildflower garden.
The nature center also features a variety of native live-animal exhibits, a children’s play area, multiple wildlife viewing areas, and a Nature Shop. Be sure to check the metroparks for many naturalist-led programs that take place at this location.
North Chagrin Reservation
401 Buttermilk Falls Pkwy., Mayfield Village, clevelandmetroparks.com
Geauga Park District
See the beauty of spring on full display at Frohring Meadows, a 298-acre park that features a 100-acre prairie and trails through the woodlands. All ages will enjoy a Pollinator Play Garden, and kid-friendly trails include the 2.8-mile Big Bluestem and 0.7-mile Dragonfly, which is paved and ideal for strollers.
The park also features a woodland dominated by several varieties of trees, while vernal pools host a variety of life including several species of amphibians like the spotted salamander, which return each spring to lay their eggs. A tall grass prairie features a number of flowering plants that come to life in the spring and summer months.
Frohring Meadows
16780 Savage Road, Bainbridge Twp., geaugaparkdistrict.org
Lake Metroparks
In the spring, Northeast Ohio is alive with migratory birds and residents. Our lakeshore habitats are known for sheltering colorful warblers and other songbirds that return as daylight increases and the weather warms.
Check out Lake Erie Bluffs, where a spring bird walk often includes a bald eagle or two, the resident red-tailed hawk, loons diving and fishing, and hundreds of red-breasted mergansers. Checking the grapevines and tree branches in morning sun may reveal catbirds, orioles or a variety of migrating warblers. Lake Metroparks staff have documented 225 species of birds at the park.
Lake Erie Bluffs
3301 Lane Road, Perry Twp. lakemetroparks.com
Lorain County Metro Parks
Enjoy a visit to Schoepfle Garden, which features 77 acres of botanical gardens, a hiking trail, a free carousel (open seasonally), a playground, a children’s garden, and a visitor’s center. The garden, named after its creator Otto B. Schoepfle Jr., a former banker, WWII veteran, and publisher of the Chronicle-Telegram in Elyria, is bordered on one side by the Vermilion River.
The garden features collections of rhododendrons, roses, cannas, hosta, shade plants, and a variety of shrubs, topiaries and trees. Enjoy the natural beauty of the garden by participating in a guided tour or wandering at your own pace.
Schoepfle Garden
11106 Market St., Wakeman, loraincountymetroparks.com
Medina County Park District
The Get Out and Fish self-guided program is the perfect way to spend time with family and can be completed at your convenience. Participants who fish at five or more designated fishing areas before June 19 and turn in their completed forms to the Oenslager Nature Center between June 20 and July 6 will receive an award (while supplies last).
Take part in the Family Fishing Derby at Buffalo Creek Retreat on April 26 and check one area off your list. Parent/child teams can register and fish any time between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Please bring your own fishing pole, as only a limited amount of fishing poles and bait will be available for use. This derby is held in conjunction with Medina County’s Earth Day Festival. All ages are welcome.
Hubbard Valley Park
8600 Hubbard Valley Road, Seville, medinacountyparks.com
Portage Park District
Visit Dix Park and explore its 103 acres to find a mix of forest, wetlands and 24 acres of fields, as well as the family-focused Nature Play Space and Story Trail. At the unique play area, kids can use natural elements for creative play and enjoy activities like balancing on logs, building a nest, constructing an obstacle course, and more.
Nature play incorporates the surrounding landscape and vegetation to bring nature to children’s daily outdoor play and learning environments. Nature play spaces give children access to natural materials (logs, stones, soil, plants, etc.) to spark creativity, encourage risk, collaborate with peers, and engage with the natural world.
Dix Park
7318 SR 44, Ravenna, portagecounty-oh.gov/portage-park-district
Stark Parks
Plan a day of adventure and go geocaching, a real-life outdoor treasure hunt using GPS-enabled devices. Or, if you think you’ve explored Stark Parks enough that you are a trail and park expert, go a step further and try orienteering: use a topographic map to figure out the best way to get to multiple points while climbing hills, crossing streams, and choosing trails.
On your map are marked locations (control points) that you must visit. Your job is to figure out the best way to get from control point to control point. At each control point, you will find an orange and white marker with identifying features that will prove that you were at the correct location. Courses are set up several days each year in partnership with the Northeast Ohio Orienteering Club. Look for them on the park district’s event calendar.
Sippo Lake Park
5300 Tyner St., Canton, starkparks.com
Summit Metro Parks
Summit Metro Parks offers three archery ranges for free public use. Each is open daily, from dawn to dusk, and includes multiple target distances ranging from 10 to 60 yards. Archers must bring their own equipment. If you don’t have your own equipment, check the park district’s programs and events listing to find upcoming naturalist-led archery programs.
The Hampton Hills archery range includes an elevated platform. Other locations with archery ranges include Liberty Park and Silver Creek Metro Park.
Hampton Hills Metro Park
1940 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls, summitmetroparks.org
Here are some eco-friendly points to consider while your family is making the most of your time outdoors this season.
1. Leave No Trace
Teach your kids the importance of respecting nature by leaving things as you found them: always take out what you bring in, avoid picking flowers or disturbing wildlife, and stick to designated trails to protect plant life.
2. Organize a Park Cleanup
Turn your family outing into a mini cleanup event. Bring gloves and a reusable bag to pick up litter while hiking, walking or playing at the park. Kids will feel a sense of accomplishment knowing they’re making a difference.
3. Opt for Reusable Gear
When packing snacks and drinks, use reusable water bottles, containers, and cloth napkins instead of disposable ones. This small change helps reduce waste and keeps parks cleaner.
4. Plant Trees or Flowers
Get involved in local tree-planting events or plant pollinator-friendly flowers in your own yard. Not only is this a great hands-on activity for kids, but it also helps the environment by improving air quality and supporting local wildlife.
5. Learn About Sustainability
Many parks and nature centers offer programs on conservation and sustainability. These interactive experiences help children understand the importance of caring for the environment while making learning fun.
6. Respect Wildlife
Remind kids that animals are best observed from a distance. Feeding wild animals can be harmful to them, and loud noises can disrupt their natural behaviors.
7. Use Eco-Conscious Products
Encourage kids to be mindful of what they bring outdoors. Choose biodegradable or natural products like sunscreen and bug spray to avoid introducing harmful chemicals into the ecosystem.
