It's so hard to think this 88-acre off-the-beaten-path treasure was once home to a dredge depository. Because what we have now are a hidden and lush hiking area, partial lakefront escape and bird watching sanctuary just off Cleveland's East Shoreway.
The Preserve itself has a hiking trail that's about 2 miles long. The Preserve in general is overgrown with trees, marsh grasses and flowers...its overgrown enough to have a raw feel, though it certainly has room for manicure potential (though I think they like it this way). The Preserve's natural architecture somehow drowns out the noise of nearby city life, and to the west is the Intercity Boat Club. I think there's even a small area to dock your boat temporarily.
Oddly enough, its roots as a dredging facility are what make it so special. Because of its history, all the plants and wildlife came naturally as a result of its former purposes. So not only do you have wildflowers, but many species of butterflies and birds. If you're a bird watcher, you can catch hundreds of species here during the right times of year. Visiting the Preserve is worth the drive regardless of where you live--you can't beat getting back in-tune with nature via Cleveland's natural vegetation and peaceful lakefront.