This Charming Little Park Tucked Away In Cleveland Is A True Hidden Gem
By Nikki Rhoades|Published July 01, 2018
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Nikki Rhoades
Author
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
Summer is a beautiful season that’s meant for memory making. Just imagine standing in the shade with the warm sun providing a pleasant glow to the world around you while a balmy breeze blows onto the shore of Lake Erie. Soon you’re joined by your best friend as you look for the perfect spot to plop and picnic in a secluded little stretch of land where it’s just you and nature. Sounds dreamy, right? Such days aren’t a mere daydream, though. This gorgeous setting is all too real at one incredible park in Cleveland.
This summer, nothing will beat magical days spent in the sun at Wendy Park.
Located just outside of Downtown at 2800 Whiskey Island Drive is a beautiful little park that many people do not realize even exists. Secluded and peaceful, this little plot of land is truly an escape from the concrete jungle that is Cleveland.
This 22-acre stretch of lush greenery is one of the state's top birding sites, and it provides a haven for local wildlife.
When Moses Cleaveland visited the site of our lovely city for the first time, this was the first solid land he encountered on our once-swampy shoreline. Lorenzo Carter, one of our most famous early settlers, built a family farm here. A whiskey distillery once operated on the peninsula, too, but today you're more likely to spot a marina and coastal charm than a distillery or farm.
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You may recognize Whiskey Island as the location of what was once a Coast Guard station, the ruins of which still stand at the park.
Over the past few years, the Cleveland Metroparks has labored to restore the gorgeous building. Parts of it are actually operational once again, though the main part of the building is still locked and covered in graffiti.
Every Wednesday from June 20 to August 22, Wendy Park Wednesdays celebrate Cleveland life with a guided kayak tour at 5 p.m. You'll also want to swing by on July 28 from 10 to 11 a.m. to learn about how a natural gas explosion trapped workers in the tunnels under Lake Erie in 1916. For other upcoming events, click here.
This pretty park is truly a hidden gem, and your summer isn't complete until you swing by and take in its beauty.
Whiskey Island is a gem in Cleveland, and many do not even realize that the peninsula exists. However, it’s a secluded and stunning spot to visit, and the Cleveland Metroparks offers much to keep you coming back.
