FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
BOB ROTATORI - 216-635-3263 - or -
KALI FENCL - 216-635-3284
Vibrant reds. Warm oranges. Happy yellows. October is the peak
month to see the fantastic colors autumn has to offer. Be sure to
take full advantage of the opportunities to view fall colors in
Cleveland Metroparks.
Make sure to grab a �Parkways to Fall Colors� brochure, which is
available at Park District facilities, or it can be downloaded from
the website at www.clemetparks.com/aboutus/info/brochure.asp. The
brochure provides a self-guided driving tour to eight of Cleveland
Metroparks reservations to park viewing spots.
The �Parkways to Fall Colors� brochures features fall color
viewing areas, such as Tinkers Creek Gorge Scenic Overlook &
�Little Overlook� in Bedford Reservation, Chippewa Creek Gorge
Scenic Overlook in Brecksville Reservation, Iron Springs Loop Trail
in Garfield Park Reservation, the Beach Bluffs in Huntington
Reservation and Quarry Rock Overlook in South Chagrin
Reservation.
Naturalist Valerie Fetzer is certainly excited for the fall
colors. Having once lived in a place that did not have the fall
colors that Northeast Ohio has to offer, she is always thrilled to
see what each autumn has to offer. Her favorite place to see
fall color is Bedford Reservation, and she is quite familiar
with the trails there. Tinker's Creek Gorge Scenic Overlook
and Bridal Veil Falls are both beautiful and easily accessible
locations. Another favorite fall colors location is on top of Fort
Hill in Rocky River Reservation. With a view from above the
Rocky River, along with the shale rock walls and tree color, it is
quite a beautiful sight. For those not interested in going up 135
stairs, a similar view (from a lower level) can be seen from the
deck of the Rocky River Nature Center.
But why do leaves change color? Pigment is what gives leaves
their color, which occur naturally in leaf cells. There are three
pigments that give leaves their color: chlorophyll (green),
carotenoid (yellow, orange and brown) and anthocyanin (red).
Chlorophyll is the most important of the three because without it,
trees wouldn't be able to use sunlight to make food. But in the
fall, less sunlight means less chlorophyll produced. Eventually, a
tree stops producing chlorophyll and when that happens, the other
pigments show through. The leaves become bright yellows, glowing
oranges, and warm browns. Different trees will reveal different
colors based on the pigments present. Tulip trees, for example,
turn yellow and oak trees turn brown. To learn more about fall
colors visit a Cleveland Metroparks nature center to take fall
colors hikes or speak with a naturalist.
For more information, call 216-635-3200 or visit
clevelandmetroparks.com.
Don't miss the rainbow of colors this fall in Cleveland
Metroparks - part of your life, naturally!
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