Visit Brighton Park, The Newest Park In Cleveland & A Gorgeous Old Brooklyn Greenspace
By Nikki Rhoades|Published July 12, 2021
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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.
Think you’ve explored all that the Cleveland Metroparks have to offer? Think again. The newest park in the Cleveland Metroparks is Brighton Park, an unbelievably verdant natural space with hiking, birdwatching, and surprising hidden history. It’s smaller than some of the massive reservations you may know the park district for, but it’s overflowing with charm and natural Ohio wildlife. Ready to explore? Check it out:
Never heard of Brighton Park? You're not alone... this recently opened local park is still a hidden gem, but locals are starting to take notice of its majesty.
This 25-acre urban green space is a real beaut, and it speaks volumes about the restoration efforts that allow local landscapes to heal.
Thanks to efforts from area conservators, this landscape went from landfill to landmark. The greenspace was acquired by Western Reserve Land Conservancy in 2015, and nature lovers got to work removing decades of debris. The old landfill hosted scrap from the construction of I-71, Municipal Stadium, and other massive Cleveland landmarks.
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The park was once part of the old Henninger Landfill property, but a partnership between the Cleveland Metroparks, Western Reserve Land Conservancy, and Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation has given it new life.
Brighton Park - Cleveland Metroparks Brookside Reservation, Henninger Rd, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA
The city set its sights on this green space as a potential park nearly two decades ago, but stakeholders knew it would take a lot of work to restore it. After all, a decades-old landfill ceased operations here in the 1980s... and it would take a lot of effort to make sure it was safe for visitors.
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Here, half a mile of paved trail and half a mile of natural and gravel trails provide a bit of serenity to hikers.
Cleanup initiatives concluded around 2017, according to WKYC, and Mother Nature has been working tirelessly ever since to take over operations. Now, verdant grasses and the sweetness of birdsong fill this lovely little park.
Long gone are the days of dumping debris in this area, and a bright future has been ensured. Locals who have hiked the area almost can't believe the transformation... it's breathtaking!
The 25-acre park, which is part of Brookside Reservation, connects to Pearl Road, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, and all sorts of adventure.
Whether you're planning on swinging by the zoo or just exploring a new park, you'll love all that Brighton has to offer. It's small compared to some of the massive reservations in the park district, but it's a great hike for lovers of short and sweet strolls through nature.
Now that nature is taking over this former landfill, the park itself feels like something of a zoo... and you never know what kind of local wildlife you'll spot during your visit.
Lace up your hiking boots and find it at Henninger Rd, Cleveland, OH 44109.
Recently unveiled, Brighton Park is the newest park in the Cleveland Metroparks district… but locals that remember it as the old area landfill will hardly be able to believe their eyes. This new park absolutely belongs on your bucket list!
Want to explore serene spots in the Cleveland Metroparks? Check out some of the park district’s hidden gems… you won’t regret it!
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