Brookside Reservation All Purpose Trail

Ohio

2 Reviews

The Brookside Reservation All Purpose Trail curves around Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and winds through the Brookside Reservation (3900 John Nagy Blvd, Cleveland). The paved, multiuse trail ends across the street from Brighton Park and its all purpose trail, which provides a connection with the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail.

The route includes a scenic overlook of Big Creek, a tributary of the Cuyahoga River. The reservation has a variety of wildlife, sports fields, picnic areas, restrooms, and a playground.

Parking and Trail Access

Cleveland's regional transit system provides access to the trail via several bus stops along the streets surrounding the zoo and the reservation. Visit the RTA website for more information.

Parking is available at a number of lots in the Brookside Reservation including by the Cherry Grove Picnic Area, by the Meadow Ridge Picnic Area by playground and sports fields, by the Bear Parking Lot, and in numerous lots along John Nagy Boulevard. Visit the TrailLink map for all options and detailed directions.

Provides Access to Athletic Fields and the Cleveland Zoo

June 2024 orangedoug

Brookside Reservation is a Cleveland Metropark that contains a number of athletic fields and the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. TrailLink.com lists the length of the Brookside Reservation All-Purpose Trail as 2.3 miles in length but I rode almost 9 miles that included out and backs on several spurs that connect to local Cleveland, Ohio neighborhoods of Brookside, Old Brooklyn, and Brooklyn Center. I was baffled by a previous review of this trail that stated "small elevation gains." There are several taxing climbs on this trail as the zoo and the park itself are located at the bottom of the narrow Big Creek Valley. When I rode this trail I parked at the baseball fields found at the Jim Thome All-Star Complex in the center of the park. This area of the park is in the Big Creek Valley. The surrounding neighborhoods are located atop of the valley walls so almost any direction you ride on this trail involves climbing. I rode west out of the Jim Thome Complex toward the park’s Ridge Road entrance. This part of the trail parallels the park’s main road, John Nagy Blvd. About halfway to the Ridge Road entrance the trail splits and you get the option to climb out of the valley and up to the residences of Cleveland’s Brookside neighborhood. This is the most manageable climb out of the valley the park has. The climbs along Wildlife Way near the zoo and the climb up to Denison Avenue from the historic Brookside Stadium site are more difficult. Kids definitely would be walking their bikes up these climbs.

Most of the trail in the valley is wide open with very little shade because of the athletic fields and parking lots located there. The prettiest part of the trail is along Park Drive; it is tree covered and includes an overlook loop that offers views of the baseball fields. Take advantage of the crossing over the Fulton Road Bridge which provides views of the Cleveland Zoo’s Tiger Passage and Wolf Lodge areas. The trail while it provides access to the zoo does not actually pass through the zoo.