New Ohio urban wildlife preserve opens on Lake Erie – Cleveland

Cleveland’s newest nature preserve was opened today by a cast of dignitaries. The 88-acre urban wildlife preserve on the southern shore of Lake Erie provides a 1.3 mile loop walking trail through a former sediment disposal area. The area will be managed by the Port Authority.

Cleveland Councilman Jeffrey Johnson, Cleveland Chief of Regional Development Chris Warren, and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s Director of Wildlife Resources Harvey B. Webster joined Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority Board of Directors Vice Chair Marc Krantz, Port CEO Will Friedman, and other stakeholders to officially open the Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve to the public.

The park now provides a habitat for various butterflies, birds, and small animals in a combination of trees, bushes and tall grasses. Officials hope this will become an important birding area, similar to Pelee Island on the northern side of Lake Erie. In past years, Monarch butterflies have covered the area during their September migration.

After the ceremonies, the park was officially opened to visitors and will remain open as a free attraction during daylight hours each day.