This Off-The-Beaten-Path Park In The Cleveland Metroparks Is The Perfect Place To Escape
By Nikki Rhoades|Published July 17, 2023
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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.
Recently, an out-of-state friend asked me why Cleveland is called the Best Location in the Nation. Without missing a beat, I told him about the inventions that come from this area, the historic figures that made Cleveland (and, of course, Millionaires’ Row) famous, and the incredible institutions in and around University Circle. Beyond that, I mentioned, we also have the Cleveland Metroparks — the Emerald Necklace, a 24,000-acre string of hidden gems throughout Northeast Ohio. There are 18 total reservations in the park district, and some are more well-known than others. Today, we’re going to visit one Cleveland Metroparks reservation that’s off the beaten path and beautiful in every single season. Lace up those hiking boots, because Mill Stream Run Reservation is calling your name.
Spanning through Berea, Middleburg Heights, North Royalton and Strongsville, Mill Stream Run Reservation is one massive park that's downright delightful.
Many Clevelanders don't realize that this humongous Cleveland Metroparks reservation is the second-largest in the park district, right behind Brecksville Reservation. There's much to discover here, whether you're stopping by for a casual picnic or an adventurous hiking excursion through the woods.
This huge park is filled to the brim with adventure.
There's so much to do here, and there's something to delight visitors of all ages. Families love the Wallace Lake swimming area, couples are entranced by the beauty of Baldwin Lake, and nature lovers are floored by the charms of the Strongsville Wildlife Area.
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If a casual picnic is your style, then a visit to Bonnie Park Picnic Area should be at the top of your to-do list.
Located right off Valley Parkway, this pretty picnic area is easy to access. While it's beautiful and filled to the brim with birdsong, I personally like the history of this area best. In the 1920s, one Clevelander actually purchased this land to create a pretty picnic spot where locals could steal away — he named it Bonnie Park. When the Cleveland Metroparks acquired the land roughly one decade later, they decided to keep the name.
Right next to the picnic area, visitors are often drawn to the soothing sounds of a steady waterfall.
These waters once fueled local sawmills and grist mills, keeping the Cleveland area industry powerful. As business boomed, residents and businesses like blacksmiths soon started populating the surrounding area. Features like this river truly led to the establishment of the Greater Cleveland we now know and love.
While the waterfall is a beautiful place to sit and meditate, the rest of the park is delightfully hike-worthy.
There's so much to do and see here! You could spend hours exploring the park's various landscapes, but special events like guided hikes also offer an incredible way to see all that the reservation offers.
If hiking isn't quite enough to get your blood pumping, then a visit to the park's Go Ape Treetop Adventure Course might be in order.
This treetop course takes two or three hours to complete, so it's an excellent way to spend a summer afternoon. Fly down the zipline, crawl across the suspended bridge, and put your skills to the test.
While summer is a huge draw at this park, the fun doesn't stop once things cool down.
In the autumn, this park is perfect for leaf-peeping. A drive along Valley Parkway is downright gaga-worthy. Once winter kicks in, snow transforms the landscape into something worthy of a Disney movie.
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In fact, many might argue that winter is the coolest time to visit the park.
Tobogganing at Mill Stream Run Reservation is a coveted wintertime tradition for many Cleveland locals. Located at The Chalet in the park, this toboggan course features two refrigerated chutes that allows locals to zip down the hillside even when there's not snow on the ground.
With stunning views, charming landscapes, and many hidden features, Mill Stream Run Reservation is a true Cleveland gem.
This massive Cleveland Metroparks campus provides the perfect place to spend a day. You'll love hiking its trails, racing along its treetop courses, and zipping down the toboggan chutes.
The sounds of the flowing waters at Mill Stream Run Reservation are calling your name.
Look for this pretty park off of Valley Parkway near Strongsville, Ohio.
Hidden gems like this Cleveland Metroparks reservation that’s off the beaten path help Cleveland secure its foothold as the Best Location in the Nation. There’s so much to love here at Mill Stream Run Reservation, from its waterfall to its wintertime fun… just don’t forget the hand warmers!
While you’re in the Strongsville area, make sure you budget a bit of time to visit the Strongsville Historical Society. This reconstructed historical village will allow you to step back in time before this bustling suburb was, well, bustling.
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