So I get an invite to a friend's going-away picnic at Wendy Park at Whiskey Island. Lo and behold, I thought it was *today* but oops - it's tomorrow. My partner and I figured what the heck, let's stick around since it's so nice out. It's been a little chilly in Cleveland, but with temps in the mid-60s today (and this is a holiday weekend) and forecasts of 70s and sunshine for tomorrow, this song seemed appropriate for a soundtrack (if you don't like dance music, don't load it - mind you there's eye candy for every gender, but oh well):

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCvky5LAz_o

 

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church - epicenter of this weekend's Greek Festival in Tremont (fun time, but not our destination):

 

Requisite skyline shot from Franklin:

 

And since we didn't make the light at Detroit and West 25th, a quick shot of the bridge and downtown:

 

Okay, onto the Shoreway we go and there's our exit!

 

I have to admit the razorwire fencing makes this place feel a bit foreboding, but in a good way ;-)

 

Why I like Wendy Park - you get nature, you get bridges, and you get skyline shots (sometimes all at once):

 

The "iron curtain" bridge near the mouth of the Cuyahoga River:

 

Great view of the skyline:

 

The pathway to the abandoned Coast Guard Station is finally open:

 

Bridges galore:

 

There she is, in need of restoration:

 

Lighthouse, the 5 mile crib (a water intake that's located 5 miles from the reservoir it supplies) and jet skiers:

 

A sweet view of downtown:

 

Bridges, bridges, and more bridges!

 

The exterior of the Coast Guard Station - needs some work!

 

Looovely!

 

The view from the front door of the Coast Guard Station:

 

Peeking between the buildings:

 

Bridges, condos, people, boats...

 

Who'da thunk you could see National City Center (albeit a clip) from here?!?

 

Alright, even more bridges!

 

The gap between 200 Public Square and the Terminal Tower will be filled by the new Ernst & Young building in the Flats East Bank project:

 

Speaking of the Terminal Tower:

 

Alright time to go - gotta hand it to Shooters - for a place in the Flats the food's alright, the atmosphere isn't exactly trendy, but they still bring in a steady business:

 

And with that, the jackknife bridges salute you - happy holiday weekend everyone - get outside and enjoy the great weather!!!

 

 

 

 

Nice pics. I was actually just there yesterday and snapped some shots and was going to post them, but you have some of the same angles and more pics, nice job. If you would have just went yesterday I would have seen the person behind all these amazing pics, oh well.

 

CLeveland Rocks!

love em! Did you happen to notice if that sunset grill was open?  I think it is kind of cool, like a beach bar. I am am crushed the Greek fest was this weekend and I forgot (and am now settling in after dinner). They have the best Greek food you will get in Cleve. All the old church ladies really go to town.  I am leaving town first thing and won't be back until Sunday night so we will miss it. crud!  If anyone likes homestyle Greek food make sure and go.

 

Was the Coast Guard station just wide open? kind of creepy if so.

Nice pics. I was actually just there yesterday and snapped some shots and was going to post them, but you have some of the same angles and more pics, nice job. If you would have just went yesterday I would have seen the person behind all these amazing pics, oh well.

 

 

When were you there? A couple of us UO guys from Old Brooklyn biked up there last night.

 

^ And yes, the Coast Guard Station is wide open. It's very badly deteriorated inside and is infested by birds. There are actually bird nests attached to the sides of floor joists, and they're staying up either with mud or dung. Lead paint is coming off in sheets, almost like wallpaper. It's definitely dangerous in there. And yes, the Sunset Grill was open last night.

 

I guess it's a good thing that those new boards were put up on the east wing of the building within the last month.

Awesome photos!!!!! And yes, that song really made the thread enjoyable. :-)

 

EDIT: I just checked out who does that song and Mayday, you have a fine taste in music.

Just to clarify, I just stuck my camera inside the door of the Coast Guard station and snapped the pic. I was worried my flash would startle either birds or some C.H.U.D. but no worries. I can appreciate exploring urban ruins, but that was a bit too dilapidated for me.

 

Thanks DJ Orion, I love it when there's a really euphoric song like that, and the weather yesterday was such a good match for it.

great views around there.

 

thanks for showing the coast guard station mayday. that has rilly rilly rilly gotta be "repurposed" before it's lost for good. honestly, i wish they'd close the fence back up to isolate it again until someone figure out what to do with it (end of the towpath trail park center?).

 

btw i played the music while looking this over. it was very inspiring to me mostly because i had always wanted to do that on a thread! maybe i will next time.

on a number of occasions i've found myself unable to resist the temptation to explore the coast guard station in more depth.  i've been up to the second floor and even climbed the stairs up to the top of the tower for amazing downtown and shoreline views.

 

although it's sad to see, part of the attraction of the place definitely lies in it's lamentable state of repair.  additionally, while i've never felt entirely safe walking around inside the building, i think that's also part of why it's such an exhilarating urban exploration spot.

 

here's to hoping it's saved!

Nice pics! Is it my imagination or did the lower half of the TT get a bath?

I love all the different bridges in C-land!    You see pictures of them and immediately know what city it is before you even see any of the buildings.    Very unique!!

Kinda late but I was there on Friday evening and we just walked up to the mounds of grass in the middle of the field, it was kind of cool since i had never been there. Just a couple things I was wondering though...

 

1) Are those volleyball courts ever really used at Wendy Park, because I doubt a lot of people know about them at least not yet.

 

2) How is the bike ride from Old Brooklyn?? I live near Ridge Park Square and have been meaning to bike to downtown and the Edgewater area. Which route do you take, I would think Pearl to W 25th but if there is nicer or different way that would be great as well.

 

Cleveland Rocks!

To answer your first question the sand courts are used all week for various sand vb leagues organized by Cleveland Plays.  Follow the link below if you are interested in playing,  its a great time!

 

http://www.clevelandplays.com/

 

2) How is the bike ride from Old Brooklyn?? I live near Ridge Park Square and have been meaning to bike to downtown and the Edgewater area. Which route do you take, I would think Pearl to W 25th but if there is nicer or different way that would be great as well.

 

Cleveland Rocks!

 

Jar3232, lewarctj, and I (the OB UO contingent) were out there around 8pm.  I'm surprised we missed you.

 

Pearl/West 25th is pretty much the only way to go from Old Brooklyn.  It isn't bad on the road when there are a couple of us riding.  I'm not sure I'd want to bike by myself down Denison or Fulton.  Taking the Industrial Valley to the Flats to the Warehouse District, then Detroit-Superior Bridge is an interesting, scenic route with less traffic, but will add time to your trip.

If you're coming up to Edgewater or even Downtown from Ridge Road, you might be best off just heading north on Ridge, turn right on Denison, then left on W. 65th and shoot on up to Detroit or the Lakefront (especially since you need to be in that area in order to enter the mousehole at the north terminus of 65th.

 

The NOACA bike maps can guide your way: http://www.noaca.org/bikemaps.html

 

EDIT: I believe that W. 65th will be one of the next streets to be outfitted with "sharrows", much like Franklin Avenue.

Terminal looks great!

Very sad news...

 

Ed Hauser, 47, environmental activist who fought to preserve Whiskey Island

Posted by April McClellan-Copeland/Plain Dealer Reporter November 16, 2008 02:30AM

 

For the past 10 years, Ed Hauser threw his entire life into saving the green corner of Whiskey Island, a peninsula with grassy fields and meadows on Lake Erie at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River.

 

 

More at

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/11/ed_hauser_47_environmental_act.html