That’s Special

Over the past several weeks I’ve gotten to know the map of CVNP pretty well, as well as the lay of the land.  There are so many special places in the Park and this blog is dedicated to some of my personal hotspots…

Tinker’s Creek Gorge is on a very steep hill. On the way up there was a deer waiting to cross the road and on the way down, two determined older and very fit bikers were pushing up the hill. Driving through the Bedford Reservation Metro park to get to the Gorge was a pleasure. Following the creek, and imagining kids frolicking in the water sprinklers and jumping around on the playground was delightful.  The Terra Vista Natural Study Area was a stop on the way back. It was a little to “natural” for my taste,    (It makes me truly appreciate the work that the National Park workers and Conservancy volunteers do to keep the trails looking and working their best).

Exploration days, where I can get outdoors, see, experience, and appreciate different locations in throughout the Park, are one of the best parts about this position. On one such day I had the treat to visit the Blue Heron nesting area off Bath Rd. The Heronry with or without binoculars is a special location. You can literally see dozens of nests and will undoubtedly see one or a few herons flying to and from. I’ve heard that the Herons have to keep their nesting area away from the Eagles or else the Eagles will feed the heron eggs to their eaglets! I don’t know how true it is but I’m relieved that the Eagle’s Nest is further north.

So far, one of my favorite places to visit is the Beaver Marsh. This place is full of history and you never know what you might see there. One time visiting with the other TRT’s we focused on turtles and frogs. We saw several of both. We could see the work of the Beaver’s but during the daylight hours, not the beavers themselves. A deer passing through, wood ducks and ducklings, different species of birds, Herons too, damsel flies and dragon flies and so much more!

There's a variety of wildlife that calls the Beaver Marsh home, not bad for a former junkyard!

The Brecksville station part of the Towpath where the Eagle’s nest was great the second time around, because the adolescent was actually there! A young eagle was alone, hovering over the nest, as if his parents told him not to leave or he could have been working up the courage to soar!?!

Other hotspots:

• Tinker’s Creek Gorge the Overlook, even though there is no lower level view.
• Canal Visitor Center with the realistic and semi-interactive exhibits on Canal locks, life, early Native-American history is worth the trip north and there are plans to update this center and make even more interactive!
• Rockside station has the eco-friendly pavement and parking lot.
• Hunt Farm Visitor Center has an adorable play area for small children and personifies creativity.
• Hines Hill Center is home to the Conservancy. The “Barn” and the “Chicken Coup” that shares the campus,  can be rented out and is a picturesque place for a wedding ceremony.