It’s Impossible Not To Love This Breathtaking Cherry Blossom Trail In Cleveland
Here in Cleveland, cherry blossoms are a coveted springtime tradition. These beautiful pink flowers adorn many of our parks and public places, and they paint the landscape with lively hues each spring. The fun begins as early as late March, sometimes as late in the season as the end of April… but nonetheless, you’ll want to see the cherry blossoms in bloom in Cleveland this year. Once it’s prime time for checking out the many cherry blossoms in bloom in Ohio parks, the Cleveland Metroparks’ Brookside Reservation belongs at the top of your list. Check it out:
Brookside Reservation is one of the few Cleveland Metroparks nature preserves actually located within the city.
While many stretch out into the suburbs (and even into neighboring counties, in some cases), Brookside Reservation is located right in Cleveland. Its large campus and beautiful features have made it a favorite for many in the know.
This 132-acre slice of paradise connects with the Cleveland Metropark Zoo, but it's also a gorgeous stand-alone hiking spot.
Brookside is actually one of the oldest parks in Cleveland! It was first purchased and established in 1894, and Clevelanders have been visiting its beautiful landscape for generations. However, the blooms pictured here have only been delighting visitors for about three decades.
Each year around late March to mid-April, the park explodes with hues of white and pink.
These Yoshino cherry trees are famous for their blooms, often placing them at the center of national and international cherry blossom festivals. They grow well in moist conditions, but their drought tolerance has allowed them to prosper through Ohio's weirder seasonal variations.
Lined by sidewalk and running alongside John Nagy Boulevard, these trees are easy to spot and magnificent to visit.
Wear hiking boots, as the grass can get muddy after a springtime rain. Surrounded by blossoms and beauty, you just might find yourself humbled by awe.
Nicknamed "Cherry Blossom Lane," the existence of this beautiful stretch of color is thanks to a donation by the Japanese Association of Northeast Ohio (JANO) in the 1990s.
While these modern blooms are a must-see, they're just one of many intertwined with Ohio's past. In fact, back in 1912, Tokyo's Mayor Yukio Ozaki gifted cherry trees to Ohio-born President William Howard Taft. These gifts were planted in Washington, D.C., and today are considered some of the most famous blossoms in the U.S.!
Ever since then, over 100 Yoshino cherry trees have been enchanting visitors in the spring.
These trees may show signs of impending blooms as early as late February. The first sign is little green buds, which will eventually erupt into florets. When the teeny tiny florets begin to extend out, then you'll hear that peak bloom is coming. It typically comes circa ten days after the flower stems have extended and made the flowers prominent.
But once they do reach peak bloom, you'll have about a 10-day window to observe their beauty in person.
Cool and calm weather can extend this viewing period even longer, but warm and stormy weather can shorten it. If you're planning a trip to see the blossoms this year, you'll have to act fast!
You'll love a springtime visit to Brookside Reservation.
Each year, it’s an absolute treat to see these magical cherry blossoms in bloom in Cleveland. As springtime weather allows things to blossom and bloom in your own year, keep an eye on Cleveland’s landscape… from Wade Lagoon to Brookside Reservation, there’s much to see!
Speaking of Wade Lagoon, you have to check out the Wade Park cherry blossoms. Combined with the architecture of University Circle, these springtime blossoms are irresistibly vibrant.
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Address: Cleveland Metroparks Brookside Reservation, 3900 John Nagy Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44144, USA
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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.
