The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Parks, beach offer ways to beat heat
Summer is here, and many Lake County residents may be looking for ways to keep themselves and their families cool.
And Lake Metroparks is promoting its parks and beach as solutions.
Beaches like Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park allow residents to a chance to take an actual dip and relax along the shore.
Meanwhile, Chagrin River Park, in Eastlake and Willoughby, offers creek walks and river access.
There are many places with creeks and rivers that residents can explore. From the creek walks around the Helen Hazen Wyman Park in Concord Township to the wetlands of Gully Brook Park in Willoughby Hills. During the heat of summer, these locations offer excellent opportunities to cool off with a hike through the water.
“Our local waters are important homes for many plants and animals, so while hiking around, keep your eyes open for fish, frogs, crayfish, or even a bald eagle,” added John Vernon, promotions and advertising manager at Lake Metroparks.
Many families and residents have been filling the parks since the pandemic hit.
“Many parks nationwide have seen a spike up in visitation,” Paul Palagyi, executive director for Lake Metroparks, told The News-Herald earlier this month.
“The parks themselves, parking lots, trails, have not only been open but also swamped. We’ve seen over 250,000 more visits in March, April, and May of this year than we’ve seen in previous years.”
Venturing out has become a great way to keep up mental health during the pandemic.
The parks offer a sweet breath of literal fresh air and give the option to exercise safely while practicing social distancing.
The park system is taking precautions to help avoid the spread of COVID by offering hand sanitizer stations and posting signs. Lake Metroparks has also reduced the number of parking spaces in its parks.
Palagyi encourages residents to come out and enjoy the parks despite fear, saying Lake Metroparks has taken steps to aid with social distancing.