TAKE A HIKE It's time to hit the trail

THE LAND LAY OF

Brookside Reservation in Cleveland

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REVIVAL AT THE WESTSIDE MARKET

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WHAT INTEL MEANS TO US

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HOCKING HILLS ADVENTURE

N A T U R E

TAKE A HIKE

SPRING IS IN THE AIR, which means it’s a great time for your feet to hit the trail — and the Cleveland Metroparks is making that easier than ever with its 2022 Trail Challenge. The rules are simple: Hike 10 different trails to win a Trail Challenge sticker and 20 trails to receive a special prize yet to be announced. Keep in mind that this isn’t just about hiking. Kayaking, biking and, for the first time ever, horseback riding, are all on the table. Guided hikes led by naturalists are also a great way to gain insight into Cleveland’s ecosystem and meet other nature lovers in the community. “The trail challenge can be their guide to creating adventure in their backyard,” says Metroparks outdoor recreation manager Rachel Nagle. “If you have a stressful day, just go out there and take a deep breath.”

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Sometimes the hardest part of a new challenge is knowing where to start. These four routes range from leisurely stroll to day-long trek.

0.4-mile Viaduct Park Loop in Bedford Reservation. This trail is the shortest paved option and ends with the beautiful Great Falls of Tinker’s Creek.

0.7-mile Worden’s Ledges Loop Trail in Hinckley Reservation. Rocky and unpaved but scenic. You’ll find historic wood carvings by Noble Stuart along the way.

2-mile Paddle Lake Erie at Wendy Park. Splash your way to Cleveland's historic Coast Guard Station, looping around the inner harbor to head back to the beach.

11.7-mile Lower Fern Hill hike to scenic Lake Isaac in Big Creek Reservation. This trail's paved surface makes for a manageable trek that starts and ends in Parma.

ENVIRONMENT

Digging In

Make it an Earth Day to remember by getting your hands dirty.

ATTACK INVASIVE SPECIES

Garlic mustard is an invasive plant that appears early in spring, blocking sunlight and consuming nutrients that other plants need. The good news is the plant is easy to spot and pull out. The bad news is there are a lot of them. Join the fight by volunteering to pull garlic mustard at Brecksville Reservation on April 22. clevelandmetroparks.org

PLANT A TREE

With Northeast Ohio’s tree canopy beginning to vanish, tree planting is a major focus this year at Holden Forests & Gardens, which is striving to have 15,000 trees planted by 2025 through its People for Trees initiative. holdenfg.org

SAVE THE TURTLES

The spotted turtle is in trouble in Ohio. The native species is declining in numbers due to loss of habitat, poor water quality, an increase in predators, illegal poaching and encounters with vehicles. Head to Lake Metroparks on April 24 to learn more about how to help Ohio’s threatened turtles — and to receive a tree sapling to take home. lakemetroparks.com

CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSET

You know that old sweater you’re thinking about throwing away? Give it a second life outside of a landfill by heading to Cleveland State University’s EarthFest 2022 on April 21, where you can swap unwanted clothing — and check out 40 booths that offer everything from battery recycling to information about Northeast Ohio’s many environmental organizations. csuohio.edu/sustainability

HIT THE BEACH

The Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District is joining several other organizations to rid Huntington Beach in Bay Village of litter. The April 30 event is part of Great Lakes CleanUp, a multiweek effort to eliminate trash (bags and tools are provided). cuyahogaswcd.org