Cleveland Metroparks on Thursday officially opened the new Eastern Ledge Trail in Euclid Creek Reservation, offering a first-time trail connection from the City of Richmond Heights. The new mile-long trail features a mix of paved and natural surface trails, a suspension bridge over Euclid Creek, and access to one of the Emerald Necklace’s most scenic vistas at a new overlook 130 feet above Euclid Creek and the valley below.
“The Eastern Ledge Trail is the first in a series of new trail connections that we’re bringing to Euclid Creek Reservation and the surrounding communities,” said Cleveland Metroparks CEO Brian M. Zimmerman. “Thanks to tremendous support, we were able to improve access to this newly protected park land including a new overlook that offers one of the most scenic views in the Emerald Necklace.”
Where is Euclid Creek?
Euclid Creek carves a deep gorge through Euclid Creek Reservation creating steep forested hillsides and rocky cliffs. In 2019, Cleveland Metroparks acquired more than 60 acres of undeveloped forests above the eastern side of the gorge, permanently protecting a significant portion of the Euclid Creek watershed that falls into the creek and up to Lake Erie. The land acquisition was fully funded by the Ohio Public Works Commission’s Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program and was the largest addition to Euclid Creek Reservation aside from the lakefront.
The Eastern Ledge Trail provides a new residential connection into Cleveland Metroparks and its trail network. The trail includes a pedestrian suspension bridge, funded by a private donor, that spans Euclid Creek and connects the Welsh Woods Picnic Area to the eastern side of the gorge. The trail then winds up the hillside leading to the overlook that stands more than 130 feet above Euclid Creek, making it the highest overlook in the Park District. A paved all purpose trail connects the overlook and natural surface trail to a residential neighborhood in Richmond Heights off Donna Drive near Highland Road. The paved portion of the trail is ADA accessible and was funded through a grant from the Recreational Trails Program administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
‘Richmond Heights is an excellent place to live, work and play’
“This scenic trail will allow our residents to enjoy Cleveland Metroparks in an expanded way, and we are thankful for the investment in our area,” said Richmond Heights Mayor Kim Thomas. “This new trail is one more example of why Richmond Heights is an excellent place to live, work and play.”
The Eastern Ledge Trail is not the only major trail addition coming to Euclid Creek Reservation. Last week, Cleveland Metroparks commenced construction on the Euclid Creek Greenway, a multi-phased trail project to improve connections to the lakefront on the east side of Cleveland. The project will close a critical transportation gap in the region and connect the lower portion of Euclid Creek Reservation to its northern portion along the lakefront that includes Euclid Beach, Villa Angela and Wildwood parks in the city of Cleveland.
View From The Pugh 