Memorial Day – Keeping it Active

Written By: Elsie Velazquez cert. Personal Trainer at Prescription Fitness (Cleveland, Ohio)

Memorial Day is coming up in just a few short weeks.  Not only is it a day on which those who died in active military service are remembered, it is also the unofficial start of the summer season for many.  If you don’t have plans to leave town, don’t despair.  Whether you are looking for adult activities or ways to entertain your kids, there are many options to fill your 3-day weekend with fun! 

            If you are looking for kid-friendly activity, why not try one of the local spray parks?  Below is a list of a few in the area.  The best part is that they are free!

• Fountain at Cleveland Public Square – 50 Public Square, Ste. 803, Cleveland, OH 44113
  When:Open daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day

• Splash Park in Broadview Heights – 9543 Broadview Rd., Broadview Heights, OH 44147
  When:Open 10am-8pm daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day.  (440) 838-4522.

• Splash Park in Parma – 7620 W. Ridgewood Dr., Parma, OH 44129
  When:Daily from 11am-8pm from Memorial Day through Labor Day.  (440) 885-8144

            If the spray park does not appeal to you, perhaps a bike ride will be more in line with what you are looking for.  There are many great paths in the Cleveland area but below are a few of the more popular trails.

• Towpath Trail (ohioanderiecanalway.com)

Spanning Cuyahoga, Summit, Stark and Tuscarawas Counties, the Towpath Trail is a favorite. The trail is part of the Cleveland Metroparks and runs along the Ohio & Erie Canal. This 85 mile path can be entered from various sites, including Scranton Road in the Flats, at Harvard Road, east of Jennings Road and entering through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, among others.

• Beachwood City Park Trail, 25500 Shaker Blvd., Beachwood, OH 44122 (beachwoodohio.com)

Located in the City of Beachwood, the Beachwood City Park Trail offers a 1.6 mile multi-purpose trail. Located between Richmond Road and Sulgrave Road, between East and West Shaker Boulevard, this trail provides a nice short getaway.

• Valley Parkway Trail, Rocky River Nature Center, 24000 Valley Parkway, North Olmstead, OH 44070, (440) 734-6660 (com)

            Another option is to visit one of the great beaches in the area.  Pack a healthy picnic lunch and lots of healthy snacks, fruit, water, and sunscreen.  You can play games – throw a football around, toss a frisbee, volleyball, etc.  Oh…don’t forget to bring a portable speaker for music.

Some of the best local beaches in the Cleveland area are:

1. Edgewater State Park
2. Geneva State Park
3. The Beach at Cedar Point
4. Mentor Headlands Beach State Park
5. Huntington Beach

Regardless of what you decide to do over the Memorial Day Weekend, with a little research and an open mind, there are many ways to make it an active and fun one!