VIDEO CLIPS FEATURE! Click this icon appearing in articles to view videos on the subject.

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MAY 2021

Wild about Wildflowers Identifying spring perennials

Find Your Path Download Cleveland Metroparks new mobile app

Mother Nature Motherhood in the animal kingdom

Boardwalk trail in Rocky River Reservation A LETTER FROM BRIAN ZIMMERMAN CONTENTS

Get Energized with New Trails, Animals and Adventures 2 Letter from Brian & Pathfinder There’s a special energy in Cleveland Metroparks every May. With warmer temperatures, a plethora of sights and sounds can be seen and heard around every bend: songbirds drop-by on their migration 3 Find Your Path northward, amphibians call from the ponds and marshes, and wildflowers blanket our trails. Of course, warmer temperatures also 4 Naturalist’s Almanac & bring more of all of you! Mothers of the Animal Kingdom In this issue, our experts have tips for your next visit to the Emerald Necklace including an extensive list on how to identify spring perennials on the forest floor, safety tips during a 5 Painting the Forest Floor busy day, how to paddle smart when exploring lakes and rivers and much, much more. Beyond the natural phenomena May has to offer, over the next few weeks and months 6 100th Anniversary Park Police there will be several new amenities to experience in Cleveland Metroparks including the long-awaited trails and connections: Red Line Greenway, Whiskey Island Connector, and Wendy Park Bridge. These trails will offer new ways to explore and connect with Cleveland 7 It’s Spring! Paddle Smart and our lakefront. As we near completion of these major projects, please stay tuned to our website clevelandmetroparks.com for the latest updates. 8 Golf Courses While there’s so much to see and explore as spring fully blossoms, signing up for one of our naturalist-led programs can help take you somewhere new. Our experts can teach you an outdoor skill or help you find your next favorite hidden gem in the Emerald Necklace. 9 Nature Shops & Job Opportunities If you’re looking to tap into your wild side, May is also a great time to visit Cleveland Metroparks Zoo as many of the warm weather inclined animals return to their outdoor 10 Foraging & Fungi habitats. Feed a Masai giraffe at the Ben Gogolick Giraffe Encounter and meet our new tiger cub trio at Rosebrough Tiger Passage! 11 Find Your Wildside & As you get outdoors this spring, please remember to practice social distancing during Swimming Events your exploration in Cleveland Metroparks and follow all of the latest guidelines from state and local health officials and the CDC. While the warmer months are typically the busiest 12 Directory & Map months in Cleveland Metroparks, there’s more than 24,000 acres to explore and Find Your Path. Click or touch a section above to access See you out there! it directly. Click on the home button (shown here) at the top corner of each page to return you here. VIDEO FEATURE! Click this Brian Zimmerman icon appearing in articles to Cleveland Metroparks CEO view videos on the subject.

Summer Safety While Visiting Cleveland Metroparks

As the weather warms up, Cleveland Metroparks • Always lock vehicles and keep 18 park reservations will be increasingly popular valuables out of plain view. destinations for families and individuals to enjoy the • Be aware of your surroundings and if you see outdoors. Cleveland Metroparks has some tips to something suspicious, say something to parks ensure you enjoy the parks safely all season long. staff or contact Cleveland Metroparks Police. • All park visitors are required to follow the latest CDC Cleveland Metroparks Police will be present safety guidelines to help prevent the spread of on foot, bikes, in patrol cruisers and on COVID-19, including practicing safe social distancing. horseback to assist in parking and safety. In • Practice good trail etiquette and warn other park case of emergency, please notify Cleveland users when passing. Metroparks Police Headquarters immediately • Be on the lookout for cyclists traveling on the by calling 440-333-4911 or 911. Non-life- roadways and allow at least 3 feet distance when threatening situations should be reported to passing in your vehicle. Cleveland Metroparks Police at 440-331-5530.

2 Emerald Necklace May 2021 | Vol. 70 #5 FEATURE ARTICLE

Cleveland Metroparks 4 Naturalist’s Almanac & Mothers of the Animal Kingdom Launches a New Campaign and Mobile App

leveland Metroparks announced Emerald Necklace, whether guests are the launch of Find Your Path, a seeking a peaceful retreat to nature, a Cnew campaign to encourage new trail adventure, an opportunity to exploration and inclusivity across learn from one of our expert naturalists the park district’s more than 24,000 or find time and space to connect with acres through a new mobile app. The friends and family.” Cleveland Metroparks mobile app is now App users will immediately have available for download on all Apple and access to new maps of all 18 park Android devices. reservations to find trails, attractions “There is truly something for everyone The launch of the new campaign and and hidden gems, as well as upcoming and we invite our guests to Find Your Path, app come on the heels of record- programming and events across Find Your Course, Find Your Wildside and breaking visitation in 2020 with more Cleveland Metroparks reservations, golf more.” than 19.7 million recreational visitors. courses, restaurants, retail locations, and The new record drew more than 1.2 Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Guests can purchase a limited-edition million more recreational visitors than Cleveland Metroparks Find Your Path Additional app features available this the previous record set in Cleveland t-shirt online and in person at the Hinckley summer will allow guests to establish Metroparks centennial year in 2017, Lake Boathouse & Store. user accounts, register for events despite the significant impacts of and notifications, earn badges by Download the NEW mobile app today at COVID-19. participating in challenges, and be clevelandmetroparks.com/app. “With more visitors than ever across eligible for special promotions. Cleveland Metroparks, we are always “Find Your Path is not only rooted in reminded that everyone’s connection to the personal connection our guests the Park District is personal and unique,” have with the park system but speaks said Cleveland Metroparks CEO Brian to the vast array of amenities Cleveland Zimmerman. “We’re excited to offer this Metroparks has to offer,” said Chief new way for guests to interact with the Marketing Officer Kelly Manderfield.

Find Your Path Find YourFind Course Your Course FindFind Your Your Wildside Wildside clevelandmetroparks.com 3 NATURALIST’S ALMANAC Month of May: Bursting with Flora and Fauna ne of the greatest shows on earth, Wildflowers the month of May bursts with Blankets of Virginia bluebells surging action and immense Trillium O intermixed with yellows of diversity of flora and fauna. As leaves and Blackburnian golden alexanders coat river bottoms and flowers sprout and swell from the ground warbler stream sides of riparian floodplains. Steep to the canopies of towering oaks, warm Birds hillsides and cool valleys rich in loamy leaf air and increasing sunlight urge pollinators Songbird migration peaks the first two litter are cloaked in jack-in-the-pulpits, — bees, flies, butterflies, moths, beetles weeks of May as wave after wave of birds trilliums, spring beauties, waterleaf, rue — to emerge to feast on nectar and fresh arrive from their southern wintering anemone, and mayapples. These perennial foliage. Spring wildflowers peak in full grounds. Some, like blackburnian botanical gems come and go quickly, bloom, carpeting the ground in a canvas warblers, began their journey in South blooming for short time periods only to of brilliant white, yellow, blue and pink. America and stop only briefly to rest and die back within weeks in order to store Millions of migrating songbirds descend refuel before heading north to spruce energy underground in roots and tubers. upon wetlands, fields and forests, having forests in the Canadian wilderness. arrived in the dark of night from Central Others, like the wood thrush, arrive Amphibians and Reptiles and South American wintering grounds. from the rainforests of Panama to stake On warm, sunny afternoons, eastern Filling the treetops in frenzy, Neotropical out a territory in beech-maple forests, garter snakes and northern watersnakes songbirds acrobatically search for insects serenading hikers with their flute-like bask along the edges of wetlands and to fuel their incredible journeys north to songs through summer. While millions zip across trails as they search for fish and the boreal forest. frog prey. Ponds and marshes swell from Wood of migrant birds pause temporarily to May’s natural use Cleveland Metroparks vital resources frequent rain, and the chorus of green thrush wonders shift for only days at a time, other species, frogs, bullfrogs, spring peepers, and gray and stir quickly, such as eastern bluebirds and pileated treefrogs continues from dawn till dusk. and new sights and woodpeckers, are already nest-building, Watch the trail ahead of you for American sounds appear daily. incubating eggs or rearing their fledged toads patrolling for insects while hopping young. across paths.

Bird photos by Jen Goellintz, Fairview Park Mothers of the Animal Kingdom other’s Day is a holiday when we female beaver gestates her young for honor the maternal figures in our about three and a half months, but the Mlives for their role of motherhood, whole family works together to build a Virginia opossum strong bonds, and contributions to dam, maintain their lodge, and protect it society. While we celebrate these from predators. bean-sized joeys per litter (sometimes incredible people, let’s acknowledge more), each weighing a tenth of a gram. While some mammals such as foxes some wild mammal moms too. Opossum joeys latch on and grow in and coyotes produce multiple young their mother’s pouch for two months Like most modern American families, in a litter, others invest their care in a before climbing onto their mother’s back everyone takes part in caring for singleton. The little brown bat usually for a three-month long piggyback ride. the home in a beaver colony. North has one pup per year that weighs just Opossums can have one to three litters American beavers work together to two grams, accounting for 30% of the per season, and that is a full den! build a comfortable lodge on the water, mother’s weight. After birth, a female bat complete with skylights, woodchip will dutifully carry its bulky baby around Animals remind us that motherhood carpeting, and underwater entrances. A for a month, teaching it valuable skills of comes in many shapes and sizes and is lodge provides a safe place of residence survival until the pup is able to fly and always worth celebrating. This Mother’s for a mated pair, their litter of one to hunt on its own. Day take time to appreciate mother four kits, and even the juvenile beavers nature with the amazing maternal The size difference between a bat pup from previous years. Beaver kits nurse for figures in your life. and its mother is drastic, but it’s nothing two weeks before moving on to plants compared to the Virginia opossum. This Peter Frank, Naturalist provided by their family members. A marsupial can give birth to a dozen jelly- Watershed Stewardship Center 4 Emerald Necklace May 2021 PLACES TO EXPLORE Painting the Forest Floor

Virginia bluebells along the Bridal Trail at Mill Stream Run Reservation

pring is a series of brushstrokes If you have been out and about during parts of the park. Look for a single stemless in our forests. The first splashes of the months of March and April, you maroon flower sitting flush on top of Scolor to emerge since winter. Every may have already witnessed phenology mottled leaves. week something different, something at its finest. Very early on, sometimes Virginia Bluebells – Nodding beautiful, but yet expected. with snow still on the ground, skunk with bell-shaped flowers, these petals can cabbage will first emerge. It is always You may not notice it unless you are be found in blue, pink, purple and on a followed by a flowering harbinger of especially observant, but all things rare occasion, even white. Bumble bees spring, hepatica, and spring beauty. But in nature run on a calendar…our are well-suited to pollinate this shape of rest assured, some of the best displays of wildflowers included. We may not know flower. color are yet to come between late April the exact date of occurrence as that is and mid-May. Small and dainty, keep Wild Geranium – Adding a heavily determined by temperature, your eyes low to the ground for some of touch of lavender to the forest floor, but phenology, the study of the timing the next spring perennials: combined with its deeply lobed leaves, of life cycle events, helps us prepare for wild geranium is a common sight. Watch what is next to come. The emergence of One of the Yellow Trout Lily – for flowers with five petals, sometimes leaves, hatching of insects, blooming of most common flowers found on the overlapping one another. flowers, and return of migratory birds are deciduous forest floor, this plant receives all related in terms of phenology. When its name from the mottled leaves which Golden Ragwort – Different than it comes to the month of May, it allows resemble the colors in a brown trout. ragweed (and won’t cause you to sneeze), us to enjoy as many spring blooms as This plant grows for seven years before this bright yellow flower adds the final possible! producing a yellow hanging flower with touches to our forest painting. Small daisy- backward curving petals. like petals surround a large yellow center. Our spring wildflowers are ephemeral, lasting only a very brief time. Their work, Dutchman’s Breeches – Spring wildflowers are a sight not to be blooming and becoming pollinated, Alongside its feathery leaves, this bloom missed. Find your path and visit it often must be completed before the leaves looks like a pair of white upside-down during this season. If you are new to are fully out on the trees – blocking the pants (as if hanging from a clothesline). wildflower discovery, be sure to check out: sunlight from the forest floor. Dropping Trillium – Species ranging in color • Hemlock Picnic Area in Bedford their petals after pollination to become from white to red, the most noticeable Reservation seed, means that those spectacular is the large white trillium (also the State • Johnson’s Picnic Area in Hinckley colors are short-lived, with some species Wildflower of Ohio). Although bright Reservation in bloom for only a few days. With such white, the flowers will turn a rosy pink • Scenic Loop Trail in North Chagrin a small window, it makes it even more with age. What each species has in Reservation important to visit your favorite Cleveland common is the three petals, against Metroparks locations frequently…maybe • Spring Wildflower Garden at Rocky three sepals, on a plant with three leaves. even weekly for a different wildflower River Nature Center The toadshade trillium is more common view. Val Fetzer, Manager in Rocky River Reservation than other Rocky River Nature Center

Trout lily Dutchman’s breeches Great white trillium Wild geranium Golden ragwort

clevelandmetroparks.com 5 POLICE CENTENNIAL 100th Anniversary Park Police • 1921 – 2021

National Night Out Euclid Beach, August 2019 Chief Dolan swearing in Sgt. Shearn on March 3, 2019 Mounted Beach Ride at Edgewater rom the early days of the Park District, four more officers joined the ranks of Turnpike exit 10 in Strongsville. The next its leaders recognized the need to the department at a salary of $100 per decades brought continued growth both Fnot only protect the environment, month. The department received its to the Park District and the department. but also those who would visit its highest-ranking officer in 1924, when Harry In 2004, the department moved one final pristine surroundings. This led to the Billington was named captain. In 1933, time into a new headquarters facility in the formation of the Cleveland Metroparks the department had 15 members using a Rocky River Reservation, where the police Police Department. The creation of the stable of horses, one motorcycle, and three department still operates out of today. vehicles to patrol what had grown by that Park District’s law enforcement branch In 2019, the department returned to its time to a 10,000 acre park district. In 1947, was made possible on June 14, 1920 original title of “police” and a new patch Captain James Hoy was appointed as the when the Board of Park Commissioners was designed which reflects the shape and department’s first chief. passed resolution #315 which called for heritage of the original police patch worn maintaining “…general peace and good Police Change to Rangers by the department’s earliest officers. order of the park.” On May 5, 1921, Charles In 1967, Lou E. Tsipis became the new chief. L. Fox was hired to be the Park District’s Fast Forward to Today Shortly thereafter a significant change first patrolman. One hundred years later, under the was made when the name “police” was direction of Chief Katherine Dolan, the dropped, and the name “ranger” was First Park District Police Cleveland Metroparks Police Department officially adopted. The department moved In 1922, the Park District purchased a is a nationally accredited law enforcement from a police headquarters located at the three-room cottage on Lorain Avenue agency comprised of highly trained officers Standard Building in downtown Cleveland, to be used as police headquarters and dedicated to protecting and serving the to a former tollgate building at the Ohio visitors of the Park District.

H.R. Zeiger & James K. Hoy Car # 5, 1939

Cleveland Metroparks Police at the Standard Building in 1963.

Officer Chao riding Cleveland Metroparks first electric motorcycle April 2020 Police and Ranger badges dating from 1921-2021 Officer Biggs ready to head out on patrol

6 Emerald Necklace May 2021 OUTDOOR RECREATION

It’s Spring! Paddle Smart

ortheast Ohio has an impressive Cuyahoga River Water Trail should ideally get out of the water and array of paddling opportunities. The newly designated Cuyahoga River watch freighters pass from shore or get Make this paddling season N Water Trail is another accessible option. Its to one of the designated passing zones. one of local exploration. Inland lakes, wild and scenic upper section with slow NEVER stay in the middle of the river when such as Hinckley and Wallace Lakes, moving currents is much like paddling a freighter is approaching. afford easygoing experiences for an inland lake in which no shuttles are families, newer paddlers, and those Lake Erie Water Trail necessary. River flow increases near Kent looking for some on-water relaxation. On calm days, paddlers can connect to the and Monroe Falls, requiring shuttles that If you’ve taken up this year’s Trail Lake Erie Water Trail where the Cuyahoga can be available through rental companies. Challenge (clevelandmetroparks.com/ River meets Lake Erie. The Lake Erie Water Only highly experienced whitewater trailchallenge), you can check off a trail Trail runs the shoreline of Cuyahoga paddlers should run the intense rapids while dipping your paddle in Hinckley County spanning from Huntington Beach and waterfalls of the Gorge section in Lake. downtown Cuyahoga Falls. The Cuyahoga Launching at Emerald Necklace Marina River continues through the beautiful If you’d like to try something faster- Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Spring paced, try one of Northeast Ohio’s rivers can be a wild place. Scouting the rivers. Hop onto the Rocky River at intended section of river, monitoring Emerald Necklace Marina, where you websites like American Whitewater for will paddle with sailboats and other current river flow levels and being alert to power boaters heading into Lake Erie. strainers (newly deposited trees that can As a slow-moving craft, paddle on the become entrapment hazards) are highly periphery of the river staying to the encouraged before launching. right whenever possible. If the lake is Paddling Safely through Cleveland Freighter vs. kayak is depicted in this new sculpture at Merwin’s Wharf Paddling the lower Cuyahoga River through downtown Cleveland offers captivating views of the Cleveland skyline. in Bay Village to Sims Park in Euclid. Newer As paddlers marvel at the impressive paddlers can seek shelter behind the Terminal Tower, imagine turning it on breakwall by launching from Wendy Park. its side and floating it down More experienced paddlers can plan day the Cuyahoga River. It is nearly Warm water Cold water trips launching from any of equivalent in size to the large the trail’s many access points freighters that frequently to paddle along rocky cliff Park staff practice a kayak rescue traverse this section of river. lines with an almost never- A new sculpture at Rivergate ending view of downtown. calm, head on out before returning to No matter which Northeast Park models the actual size of AIR Emerald Necklace Marina for some ice + WATER Ohio venue paddlers prefer, a freighter’s thruster, helping = cream. As spring paddlers move away 120 paddlers understand the always paddle smart and from the easy shore access of inland dangers of these thrusters wear a life jacket. lakes, dressing for water temperatures especially when engaged in Ashley Rossetti, and knowing how to quickly get back turning freighters. Monitor Outdoor Recreation Specialist into your boat is crucial. Wear a wetsuit freighter location using a when water temperatures remain handheld VHF radio and/ under 70 degrees and a dry suit/heavy or a marine app such as wetsuit in early spring’s cold water Dress for spring’s cold water temperatures, especially when marinetraffic.com. Paddlers temperatures. air + water temperatures = less than 120 degrees. .

clevelandmetroparks.com 7 Featured May & June Events

1 – 4 p.m. Book Your Spring Kickoff Clinic The Spring Kickoff Clinic gives golfers Meet at Washington a chance to receive instruction from Tee Time Today! Saturday, May 1 Clubhouse Cleveland Metroparks staff of golf Ages: Adults Big Met professionals. Register online. Fee: $20 per person 440-331-1070 | Fairview Park Scratch event open to all players; 10 a.m. Little Met Two Player Scramble Cleveland Metroparks Player of the Meet at Manakiki 216-941-9672 | Cleveland Year Tournament Series. Register Clubhouse Saturday, May 15 online. Ages: Adults Fee: $160 per team Manakiki 440-942-2500 | Willoughby Hills Tee off after the sun goes down at 8:45 – 10:45pm RR Moonlight Golf! Cost includes greens Meet at Little Met Mastick Woods Clubhouse Moonlight Golf fees and one moonlight golf ball. 216-267-5626 | Cleveland There are seven Moonlight events Ages: All ages, juniors Saturday, May 15 throughout the summer at different must be accompanied by Seneca courses, check online for a full listing. an adult 440-526-0043 | Broadview Hts. Register online. Fee: $30 per player

Shawnee Hills 2 – 6 p.m. 440-232-7184 | Bedford Join us for FootGolf Kickoff Day at Mastick Woods. See how much fun this Meet at Mastick Woods Footgolf Kickoff Day Clubhouse Sleepy Hollow game can be for people of all ages! Sunday, May 16 Register online. Ages: All ages 440-526-4285 | Brecksville Fee: $5 per person Washington 216-641-1864 | Newburgh Hts. Scratch event open to all players; 8 a.m. Two Player (Jr./Sr.) Cleveland Metroparks Player of Meet Sleepy Hollow Better Ball the Year Tournament Series. Teams Clubhouse Saturday, June 26 comprised of 1 player under the age Ages: Adults of 50 and 1 player over the age of 50. Fee: $160 per team Register online.

Mother’s Day Sale May 1 - 9 • 20% OFF All Women’s Wear including Shoes

Visit clevelandmetroparks.com/golf for a complete list of events and to register.

8 Emerald Necklace May 2021 Visit our website for a great selection of park apparel and general merchandise!

APRIL SPECIAL MAY SPECIAL JUNE SPECIAL Featured May & June Events % OFF 1 – 4 p.m. 30 Spring Kickoff Clinic The Spring Kickoff Clinic gives golfers Meet at Washington Gardening Sets a chance to receive instruction from Clubhouse Saturday, May 1 Cleveland Metroparks staff of golf 3 Pc Gift Set Ages: Adults Reg. $22 Great professionals. Register online. Gift Fee: $20 per person Find Your Path for Tees $22 Premium Dad! Scratch event open to all players; 10 a.m. Shears & Two Player Scramble Cleveland Metroparks Player of the Meet at Manakiki Adventure Case Year Tournament Series. Register Clubhouse I Heart Cap Reg. $17 $ Saturday, May 15 online. Ages: Adults Skills Guides 20 ea. Fee: $160 per team $ Find Your Path ea. Offer valid 5/1/21 – 5/31/21. Offer valid 6/1/21 – 6/30/21. 9.95 While supplies last. Shop online at Stickers $3 ea. Use code MOM21 at checkout. 8:45 – 10:45pm RR Offer valid 4/1/21 – 4/30/21. clevelandmetroparks.com/shop Tee off after the sun goes down at While supplies last. Shop online at While supplies last. Shop online at Moonlight Golf! Cost includes greens Meet at Little Met clevelandmetroparks.com/shop clevelandmetroparks.com/shop Edgewater fees and one moonlight golf ball. Clubhouse Nature Shop Moonlight Golf 216-954-3408 ext 3. There are seven Moonlight events Ages: All ages, juniors Saturday, May 15 must be accompanied by Opening Fri. May 28 throughout the summer at different Open Daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. courses, check online for a full listing. an adult Register online. Fee: $30 per player Hinckley Lake All Nature Shops are currently Boathouse & Store 330-278-2160 closed. Visit our website for a great Join us for FootGolf Kickoff Day at 2 – 6 p.m. Mon. - Sat. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Stay up-to-date with selection of park apparel and Mastick Woods. See how much fun this Meet at Mastick Woods Sun. 12 p.m. -- 5 p.m. Footgolf Kickoff Day our summer water rentals. general merchandise! game can be for people of all ages! Clubhouse Summer hours begin May 28: Sunday, May 16 Register online. Ages: All ages Visit clevelandmetroparks.com/WaterRentals for information on locations, rates, reservations and more! Mon. - Friday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Fee: $5 per person Weekends & Holidays Shop onlineShop for monthlyonline specialsat clevelandmetroparks.com/parks/shop at clevelandmetroparks.com/shop 9 a.m. –6 p.m.

Scratch event open to all players; 8 a.m. Two Player (Jr./Sr.) Cleveland Metroparks Player of Meet Sleepy Hollow Better Ball the Year Tournament Series. Teams Clubhouse ind your passion Seasonal positions are Interested applicants can scan Saturday, June 26 comprised of 1 player under the age Ages: Adults Fwith dynamic career available for ages 16 and up the QR code shown here or of 50 and 1 player over the age of 50. Fee: $160 per team opportunities now available and most positions offer a visit clevelandmetroparks.com/ Register online. for the 2021 spring and 40-hour workweek with employment to learn more summer season across park dates ranging from spring about available positions. reservations, golf courses, through mid-October. dining, retail, marinas and In addition to seasonal Now Hiring nationally-acclaimed Zoo. employment, Cleveland Mother’s Day Sale Cleveland Metroparks is Metroparks is also offering Over 1,000 a 14-time winner of the full-time positions across NorthCoast 99 award for its park reservations, golf May 1 - 9 • 20% OFF Seasonal the top 99 workplaces in courses, restaurants, police All Women’s Wear including Shoes Northeast Ohio. department, marketing Employees department and zoo.

Cleveland Metroparks is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its employment with respect to age, class, gender identity or expression, genetic information, ethnicity, race, national origin, mental and physical ability, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. Additionally, Cleveland Metroparks respects diversity of thought and practice, including, but not exclusive to education, socio-economic background and work experience.

clevelandmetroparks.com 9 NATURAL RESOURCES

Inky caps (Coprinellus) Foraging Fungi

oraging and eating wild harvested and mushrooms is prohibited within Picking Plants Limits Future Growth foods has become an increasingly Cleveland Metroparks. Most of these native plants are also slow popular activity over the past couple F No Mushroom Picking in Our Parks growing perennials that are susceptible of years. It certainly is appealing to think to overharvesting and do not quickly Why would the Metroparks have this rule? that you can walk out your back door reproduce like vegetables in the garden. In May, the carpets of wildflowers along and find a fresh, local, and free meal right American ginseng is an example of a once the trails seem so abundant and endless. at your fingertips! Foraging is not only common plant that is now rare due to What harm could it possibly cause to pick a way to feed yourself, but oftentimes overharvesting. Also keep in mind that some ramps or find a few of those elusive has cultural significance to indigenous every flower you pick along the trail is morel mushrooms to bring home to enjoy? peoples and to people who have one less flower that the next hiker will get Unfortunately, if every park visitor were to emigrated from other countries where to enjoy. The only reason we have such have this philosophy and pick a few plants subsistence off the land is a way of life. spectacular spring wildflowers in the parks or mushrooms there would be little left Most local parks have special rules or is because of the continued protection and for the wildlife who depend on them for require permits for the collection of plants responsible land management over the survival. Deer, turkey, and other wildlife and animals to ensure their protection, past one hundred years. can’t go to the grocery store or grow a so be sure to check the rules before garden like you or I to feed themselves. collecting. Foraging and removal of plants Where or When to Harvest? So where can you go to forage or pick mushrooms? Foraging is allowed on certain public lands such as some state parks and forests, and also on private land. Where it is permitted, please be responsible and be sure to not over harvest and save some for wildlife. A good general rule of thumb is to never harvest greater than 10% of a healthy population. Always be sure to call the park office ahead of your visit to verify Inky caps Chicken of the Woods Artist’s Conk the rules, obtain the proper permits from (Coprinopsis) (Laetiporus sulphureus) (Ganoderma applanatum) ODNR, and never pick or eat unfamiliar plants or mushrooms unless you are 100% certain of the identification. You can learn Collecting of any kind is more about the multitudes of native edible plants and fungi by attending naturalist led NOT PERMITTED in programs and hikes, or by joining groups Cleveland Metroparks. such as the Ohio Mushroom Society. Many delicious edible native plants such as blueberry, serviceberry, and pawpaw This includes but is not limited to: can also be purchased at local nurseries or • artifacts, wildflowers, garden centers so you can bring the forest mushrooms, nuts, back home to your garden! • fossils, rocks, wood, plants, Josh Philipps, Natural Resources Area Manager - East • snakes, turtles, salamanders and frogs. Story photos by Jen Goellnitz, Fairview Park

10 Emerald Necklace May 2021 ZOO NEWS Swimming Find Your Wild Side at Cleveland Metroparks at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo here is no better time than spring The RainForest at Cleveland to visit Cleveland Metroparks Metroparks Zoo is also open 7 days a Ledge Pool & Recreation Area Zoo. Watch the Zoo’s trio of week after undergoing improvements Hinckley Reservation, Hinckley Township T (daily pool admission fee or season pass access) tiger cubs explore and grow when to its iconic geodesic dome. Visit fan Open Daily: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. weather permitting they are introduced to the habitat at favorites like the orangutans or new Saturday, June 5 – Sunday, August 15 Rosebrough Tiger Passage this spring. friends like the binturong, also known as a bearcat! Ledge Pool Learn to Swim Classes Many of the Zoo’s popular attractions Ledge Pool and Recreation Area are now open for the season. The Circle Hinckley Reservation Register online beginning May 1 of Wildlife Carousel, Boomerang Line Registration will be online only. Waivers and Train and 4-D Theater are open daily medical forms are available online. from 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The tram to the Primary, Cats & Aquatics Building is American Red Cross Pool/Waterfront also running daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Lifeguard Course Enjoy get close encounters with May 17 – May 28 the Zoo’s giraffe herd at the Ben Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 4 – 8 p.m. Ledge Pool and Recreation Area Gogolick Giraffe Encounter. Experience Hinckley Reservation handfeeding giraffes as tall as 17 feet The Blended Learning class teaches the knowledge out of your hand when temperatures and skills to recognize and respond to aquatic are above 50 degrees and conditions in emergencies, prevent drowning and injuries the African Savanna are dry enough for through online and on-site training. Must be 16 years old on or before the last day of the course. the herd to safely explore. Prerequisites include a swimming skills test. Guests are asked to maintain social Ages: 16 years or older distancing and facial coverings are Fee: $215 Register online or by phone by May 13 required for those 6 years of age 440-331-8111 and older. For more information visit FutureForWildlife.org. American Red Cross Pool/Waterfront Lifeguard Course Zoo Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. May 24 – May 28 Cleveland Metroparks Zoo location: Mon. – Fri. 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. 3900 Wildlife Way Ledge Pool and Recreation Area Cleveland, Ohio 44109 Hinckley Reservation 216-661-6500 (See May 17 – 28 for details) The Zoo is located just 5 minutes from Ages: 16 years or older downtown and easily accessible from Fee: $215 Interstates 71, 77, 90 and 480 Register online or by phone by May 20 and SR 176 Jennings Freeway. 440-331-8111 Parking is Free.

Emerald Necklace Cleveland Metroparks facilities re-opening Marina Emerald Necklace Marina 1500 Cleveland Metro Park Dr, Lakewood, OH 44107 216-226-3030 Weekdays 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. E. 55th Marina 5555 N Marginal Rd, Cleveland, OH 44114 216-431-334 Sat. & Sun. Wildwood Marina 16975 Wildwood Lane, Cleveland, OH 44119 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. 216-481-5771 For up-to-date information on Cleveland Metroparks restaurants and concessions visit clevelandmetroparks.com/dining

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Emerald Necklace® Directory Published monthly by: Board of Park Commissioners Cleveland Metroparks Outdoor Experiences and Cleveland Metroparks Dan T. Moore Bruce G. Rinker Administration Offices Education 216-635-3200 President Vice President 216-635-3200/24-hour info 216-881-8141 clevelandmetroparks.com Debra K. Berry Brian M. Zimmerman Vice President Chief Executive Officer 4101 Fulton Parkway clevelandmetroparks.com/ Cleveland, OH 44144 education clevelandmetroparks.com Nature Centers: Cleveland Metroparks Police Accidents or Emergencies Brecksville Nature Center 440-333-4911 9000 Chippewa Creek Drive Brecksville, OH 44141 Cleveland Metroparks Zoo & Brecksville Reservation The RainForest 440-526-1012 216-661-6500/24-hour info 3900 Wildlife Way CanalWay Center Cleveland, OH 44109 4524 E. 49th Street FutureForWildlife.org Cuyahoga Heights, OH 44125 Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation Cleveland Metroparks Golf 216-206-1000 Golf Services/440-232-7247 (course info & inquiries) North Chagrin Nature Center clevelandmetroparks.com/golf 401 Buttermilk Falls Parkway Mayfield Village, OH 44094 The Chalet Recreation Area North Chagrin Reservation 16200 Valley Parkway 440-473-3370 Strongsville, OH 44136 Mill Stream Run Reservation Rocky River Nature Center 440-572-9990 24000 Valley Parkway North Olmsted, OH 44070 Volunteer Services Rocky River Reservation 440-331-8237 440-734-6660 clevelandmetroparks.com/ Watershed Stewardship Center volunteer 2277 W. Ridgewood Drive Rental Facilities Parma, OH 44134 216-635-3304 West Creek Reservation Cleveland Metroparks app available for download for iPhone® and Android®. 440-887-1968 iPhone®and iPad® are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. Android® is a trademark of Google LLC

Cleveland Metroparks does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age or disability in employment, services or access to programs or activities. Cover photo: Boardwalk trail in Rocky River Reservation Emerald Necklace is also available online at clevelandmetroparks.com Additional photos courtesy of Cleveland Metroparks photo archive, unless © Registered trademarks of Cleveland Metroparks. otherwise noted.