Why Cleveland is Cool for Kids
Part Two of a 4-part series
Head to the Outdoors!

It may be winter, but it is a great time to bundle up the little ones and head out! Both Cleveland and the neighboring Lake County Metroparks systems offer diverse programs for kids (and those of us who are kids at heart as well). From movie nights to programs about specific animals -- bats, owls and more -- their offerings are vast and economical. And many are "no-cost." In addition, the parks offer hiking, biking and rollerblading trails, picnic areas, playgrounds and wide-open spaces suitable for organized (or not-so-organized) sports and games.

Don’t forget about tobogganing at The Chalet Run in the Mill Stream Reservation (a thrill for kids of ALL ages!). More information about Cleveland Metroparks is available at http://www.clemetparks.com or by calling 635-3200. More information about Lake County Metroparks is available at http://www.lakemetroparks.com or by calling (440)639-7275.

And, when you are outdoors with your family, don’t forget about that small body of water that sits just north of this fine city. Lake Erie is the 4th largest Great Lake by surface area, shallowest of the Great Lakes, and the 12th largest freshwater lake in the world. With these credentials, comes plenty of family fun. Fishing, boating, swimming, or just skipping stones and building sandcastles, Lake Erie offers recreational opportunities that not so many cities have to offer. Learn more by visiting http://www.ercnet.org.

An indoor, but feels like the great outdoors, family outing is the Cleveland Botanical Garden located in University Circle. Open year round, the Cleveland Botanical Garden’s mission is "grounded in the belief that quality-of-life can be improved through a better understanding of the interdependence of plants, people and the environment." A trip to the Botanical Garden invites you and your children to explore the glasshouse, which features two distinct ecosystems. And, if the weather is cooperating during your visit, be sure to also check out the 10 acres of display gardens including the Hershey Children's Garden, the first garden of its kind in the State of Ohio. The Garden also has great amenities such as onsite parking (for a fee) and the Garden Café, which features light snacks, lunches and refreshments. To find out more, visit http://www.cbgarden.org or call 721-1600.

Editor's Note: Jeannie Fleming-Gifford, M.A., is not only a "kid at heart," but also a brand new mom. Contact her at the address below.

From Cool Cleveland Contributor Jeannie Fleming-Gifford fleminggiffordATyahoo.com

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