On June 6, 2013 Cleveland Metroparks assumed management of certain Lakefront State properties which include Edgewater Park, E. 55th St. Marina, Gordon Park, Euclid Beach Park, Villa Angela and Wildwood Park. While the City of Cleveland will continue to own the properties, Cleveland Metroparks holds a 99 year lease to manage and enhance the parks, with a commitment to outstanding stewardship. Euclid Beach Park, Villa Angela Park and Wildwood Park join Euclid Creek Reservation, while Edgewater Park, E. 55th St. Marina and Gordon Park comprise Cleveland Metroparks newest reservation, Lakefront Reservation. Euclid Creek Reservation is named for Euclid Creek which runs the length of the reservation. It features wooded hillsides where the rare rock chestnut oak grows. The reservation is located in Cleveland, Euclid, South Euclid and Richmond Heights.
The southern portion of the reservation is the site of a “ghost town.” The village of Bluestone flourished in the late 1800s and early 1900s when its populace quarried the blue-gray siltstone used in building sidewalks and other construction. Today, the only remaining exposure of bluestone is in Quarry Picnic Area.
Euclid Creek Reservation expanded in June 2013 to include the northern portion of the reservation consisting of Euclid Beach Park, Villa Angela Park and Wildwood Park runs along the Lake Erie shoreline.
Once the site of the famous Euclid Beach Amusement Park, Euclid Beach Park now features a 650’ beach with shaded picnic areas, a scenic observation pier and a reservable pavilion. Though it closed in 1969, signs of the amusement park including the shuffleboard area, remnants of the beachside fountain and concrete footers of the Flying Turns roller coaster are still visible.
Adjacent to Euclid Beach Park is Villa Angela Park and Wildwood Park. Scenic overlooks and a wide variety of plant species can be seen along Villa Angela Park’s scenic boardwalk that leads out to a fishing pier and the 900’ sandy beach.
An angler’s paradise, Wildwood Park has a boat launch providing access to Lake Erie, access to the summer Lake Erie walleye and yellow perch fisheries, access to Euclid Creek for steelhead and spring white suckers and two lengthy rock breakwalls to accommodate shore anglers.
The 17-mile Cleveland Lakefront Bike Trail traces the Lake Erie shoreline providing access to Edgewater Park, the E. 55th St. Marina, Gordon Park, Euclid Beach Park, Villa Angela Park and Wildwood Park.
