VANITY - Lifelong Baltimorean in Praise of Cleveland

Vanity | 7/14/2014 | Matthew Collins

[hinckley buzzard]

MLK Drive, a parkway long before it was named for MLK, meanders pleasantly from near the shore of lake Erie to the cultural center known as University Circle, home of CWRU. It follows a winding creek through a valley, and the road is lined with an array of gardens called the Cultural Gardens, designed and maintained to celebrate the ethnic groups that settled Cleveland, mostly early in the twentieth century. Recently an African American Garden was added. Overpasses for major east-west streets are artistic creations of stone, with winding staircases from the valley to the upper street level.

Along the parkway is the city Greenhouse, and at its southern terminus is the Botanical gardens, the Art and Natural History museums and Severance Hall. The Cleveland VA Hospital sits at the edge as well.

It is continuously being maintained and improved, with pools and fountains, and is a history lesson to drive down it. Previously unfriendly for pedestrians, law enforcement has cleaned up the surrounding neighborhoods and the park today is useful and frequented by families.

One of Cleveland's well-kept secrets.

[scouter]

Don’t forget to check out the Cuyahoga Nation Valley Park.

Yeah, that's one of the things we never got to see in the 4 years my daughter went to CWRU, and one of the things we're gonna go back for. Thanks for the reminder.

[scouter]

My vacation travels have been focused on the Western US for the past couple of years. One of my favorite towns is Kanab, UT. From there, you're a two hour drive (max) from several National Parks, to include Zion and Bryce Canyon.

Yeah, the national parks are great vacation spots. I've always heard that Bryce Canyon is the one you really have to see if you can't see them all. My wife is a little older than I am, and we just got a lifetime pass into all the national parks. It only cost $10. What a bargain!

If you ever head east, you should definitely check out Shenandoah National Park and the Skyline Drive. It's only about an hour west of Dulles Airport, in Virginia. One of the great national parks, with a fascinating history.

[ken5050]

Many times...I have relatives in Shaker Heights..I couldn’t resist the “dig_”..it was too easy.. Parts of Cleveland are really nice..the new football stadium..and the Jake is a great place for a baseball game..and of course the Rock and Roll Museum. OTOH, Cleveland is a popular venue for “The First 48”