cleveland sports & recreation

Cleveland Sports & RecreationThe more than 23,000 acres of Cleveland Metroparks constitute one of the largest concentrations of parkland per capita in the nation. The 100-mile chain of metropolitan parks known as the “Emerald Necklace” is one of the largest park districts in the country. The 18 reservations offer opportunities for biking, boating, fishing, geocaching, golfing, hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, skating, swimming, water sports and many winter sports. The more than 60 miles of all-purpose trails are designed for walking/hiking, running, biking, horseback riding and skating. There are wildlife management areas, waterfowl sanctuaries and seven outdoor education facilities. Some of the reservations fall within the boundaries of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Phone (216) 635-3200.

Biking is a great way to scoot around town whether for recreational enjoyment or as a means to get from one point of interest to another. Bicycles can be rented from Bike Rack at 2148 E. 4th St. The facility is open Mon.-Fri. 6:30-6:30. and Sat.-Sun. noon-6, Mar.-Oct.; phone (216) 771-7120.

The Cleveland Velodrome, 5033 Broadway Ave., is open Mon.-Fri. 5-8 and Sat.-Sun. 11-6, May-Oct.

Golf enthusiasts can try their skill at any one of the many public courses, including the following Cleveland Metroparks courses: Big Met, 4811 Valley Pkwy., (440) 331-1070; Little Met, 18599 Old Lorain Rd., (216) 941-9672; Manakiki, 35501 Eddy Rd., (440) 942-2500; Mastick Woods, 19900 Puritas Rd., (216) 267-5626; Seneca, 975 Valley Parkway, (440) 526-0043; Shawnee Hills, 18753 Egbert Rd., (440) 232-7184; Sleepy Hollow, 9445 Brecksville Rd., (440) 526-4285; and Washington Golf Learning Center, 3841 Washington Park Blvd., (216) 641-1864.

Stables offering horseback riding lessons and boarding are at Rocky River Stables, (216) 267-2525, and Brecksville Stables, (440) 526-6767. Swimming can be enjoyed at the sandy Lake Erie beaches, such as the ones found in Cleveland Metroparks Lakefront Reservation (Edgewater Park) and at the Cleveland Metroparks Huntington Reservation in Bay Village as well as Headlands Beach State Park. Swimming also is available at Ledge Pool and Recreation Area in Hinckley.

Fishing and boating are among the popular things to do on Lake Erie. Public boat rentals and ramps are at the Cleveland Metroparks Rocky River and Hinckley reservations, and fishing piers are at Huntington. Great Lakes Watersports, 1148 Main Ave., offers boat, Jet Ski and kayak rentals by the hour; phone (216) 771-4386. Trident Marine Corp. offers fishing charters; phone (216) 771-2628. Wildwood Marina offers public and private fishing excursions; phone (216) 481-5771. The Cleveland Visitors Center can provide additional fishing charter companies if you're interested in taking a fishing trip; phone (216) 875-6680 or (800) 321-1001.

Skiing, snowboarding and tubing are popular at several nearby sites. Peninsula offers Boston Mills Ski Resort, Sagamore Hills has Brandywine Ski Resort and Polar Blast snow tubing park, and Chesterland has Alpine Valley. Several Cleveland Metroparks offer cross-country skiing and sledding.

The outdoor Rink at Wade Oval in University Circle has a polymer surface and is open for ice-skating Fri. noon-9, Sat. noon-7, Sun. noon-5, late Nov. to mid-Feb.; closed Jan. 1, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Skate rental is $3; phone (216) 791-3900.

Various recreational opportunities also are found at the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, just southeast of the city.

Because Cleveland is home to several professional sports teams, spectator sports enthusiasts can choose from a variety of activities and fun places to go. At Progressive Field, Carnegie Avenue between Ontario Avenue and E. 9th Street, the Cleveland Guardians play baseball in the spring, summer and early fall. Guided stadium tours are offered late April through early September; for tour information or game tickets phone (216) 420-4487. The Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, hosts basketball and hockey October through April with both the NBA's Cavaliers and the AHL's Lake Erie Monsters. Arena football's Cleveland Gladiators also play at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse late March to mid-July. For Cavaliers, Lake Erie Monsters or Gladiator tickets phone (216) 420-2200 or (800) 332-2287.

Cleveland Browns football fans head to FirstEnergy Stadium at 1085 W. 3rd St. near the North Coast Harbor to watch their team in action; phone (440) 824-3434 or (800) 745-3000.

Thoroughbred racing is held throughout the year at the Thistledown Racing Club, 21501 Emery Rd. in North Randall, (216) 662-8600. Harness races are featured year-round at Northfield Park, 10705 Northfield Rd. in Northfield; phone (330) 467-4101.

Note: Policies vary concerning admittance of children to pari-mutuel betting facilities. Phone for information.