I had a number of ideas of things to write for this month, but as I pondered over which one, I had an inner conflict on what type of emotion I wanted to draw out. For each had a different approach, but ultimately, I ended up with this one because I was actually on sight when this thought penetrated my mind. I am going to tell you of a place that I visit quite often because it's just that awesome.
This place is known as Lakewood Park. It doesn't have a fancy name, nor is it named after some significant person, but what it does do is tell you that if there were any park you had to go to on a nice day, a holiday, a run, or whatever have you, in Lakewood, it would be this one. Now for many of you reading this who live more than an hour away, you won't even need all the pictures I'm about to paint because you yourselves have most likely been here while attending a church conference or event. And if you haven't, I hope by the end of this post that you will get the urge to see this place when you are in town or just for the heck of it.
I can't recall my first experience of this place, but however it went, it has kept me coming back almost weekly, through all four seasons. Lakewood Park has so much to offer. If you want to perfect your bmx or skateboard skills, there a mini skate park here. Behind it lies two half courts to get your b-ball game rolling. Followed by a few tennis courts for those who love the feeling of smashing a little yellow ball. There's a large public pool to cool off in during those scorching summer days, and right behind it used to be a large, wooden, castle-like playground. The city has since decided it needed an upgrade, so it removed all of it and are currently replacing it with new flashy metal and plastic jungle gyms. I'll come back to my thoughts on this later. The park also has a few ball fields if you want to hit a few, two sand volleyball courts, a lot of open field for football, frisbee, or just getting your tan on. There's a bandstand for music events they hold here in the summer, a really cool war memorial right in the center, a walk/jog/bike path that circles the park. And my favorites, a promenade near a gazebo which overlooks and leads you down to Lake Erie as well as the ever popular and newly added Solar Steps. So that's what's here, now for what makes this place so special to me.
Because I got my license later in life than most people do and because there were years here and there I was without a bicycle, I walked a lot. One of my favorite things to do on a beautiful summer evening was leave my house and walk the streets of Lakewood. Most of the time I ended up at Lakewood Park. Entering the park in the summer sends a wave of exhilaration upon you. You can smell the lake as the cool breeze blows towards you. You can hear the array of birds singing and happy because they have many different species of trees to roost in. The squirrels may greet you with an absurd closeness because they think you have food. And the people watching is fantastic. Many different cultures, races, people from all walks of life enjoying the very thing you are.
I walk towards the war memorial and take a seat. The brick path is unusual as most of the bricks are inscribed with names of veterans who have passed on whether in combat or of age. Right in the heart of it is a large stone with the major wars listed on each side and the names of those killed in each war who was a Lakewood resident. and right behind it stands a retired artillery gun and three flags; the P.O.W. flag, the Ohio state flag, and of course the American Flag. To sit here and remember those who gave it all and then to see Old Glory still flying moves me.
The main reason I come here, however, is to enjoy the beauty of God's creation, to let my mind run wild, to clear my head, or to just be still. The top of the hill at the edge of the park has bench swings that overlook the lake. Here you can rock back and forth in the breeze by yourself, or with that special someone and enjoy a magnificent sunset. Doing this made Cleveland.com's top 100 things to do in Cleveland. But if you want an even better view, mosey to the west end of the park and plop yourself down on the solar steps. The city re-landscaped the hill and put in these giant concrete steps where you can sit, lay down, or stand and overlook the lake for a wide range, with your view unhindered, and watch the sun slip beneath the water. Sometimes it makes you feel like you are on a California beach watching the same thing. I like to come here and listen to music, staring out beyond the horizon, for a time of serenity.
Sometimes, the crowd gets too big so I wander to the east end. I go beyond where the sidewalk ends and climb on the break wall. The waves are below, mere feet from me. In the distance, the skyline of the city that I love stands as it always has, almost as if it's waving hello. It's also a fantastic spot to pray, to reflect, to have a much needed calm moment.
There are many times I've wandered here and it doesn't matter what season it is, I've ran into a couple I knew and they were enjoying the park's beauty. Believe it or not, it was the place I met Mike Brenneman's wife Sarah before she was his wife. They were enjoying the sunset on the solar steps (told ya those were popular). We held one of our many church barbecues here and there was a wedding going on in the background by the gazebo. Only later did I find out that it was the wedding of one of my high school buddies.
I've had many wonderful 4th of July celebrations here as well as Memorial Day, bbqs, group events, and so much more. I can't really put into words how absolutely awesome this place is unless you experience it for yourself. So next time you're in the area and the weather's good, drop on by and experience it for yourself. It may not be Central Park or Santa Monica Pier, but it'll enthrall you just the same. Until next time my dear friends.
