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.
Flora and fauna both flourish in the seclusion of this park. In the autumn months, monarch butterflies flock to this pretty place.
Wendy Park is located on a peninsula called Whiskey Island, and its landscape hides a secret history.
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.
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.
If you're adventurous, you may recognize the park as one of the best places to launch a kayak and join sailboats by the horizon.
The kayak launch is just one of several fun features. You'll also love playing volleyball and fishing in Lake Erie at this charming park.
There are several events in 2018 that will be hosted at the park, and you'll definitely want to attend one or two.
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.
You may also learn a thing or two about our own local history.
A gorgeous and unforgettable summer is only a short drive away!
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.
For more places like the old Coast Guard station, check out these abandoned places Mother Nature is reclaiming.
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