The Wildwood Lacustrine Refuge Stream and Wetland Restoration Project is located in Cleveland Metropark’s Euclid Creek Reservation, Wildwood Park in the Euclid Creek Watershed on the Main Branch of Euclid Creek, a tributary to Lake Erie that is heavily urbanized and affected by urban runoff and habitat degradation in the City of Cleveland.

The Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District received a $1,396,050 grant from US EPA through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) to fund the project. The restoration provides a rare opportunity for residents of an urban area to connect with nature and to experience native plant species long displaced from our region and to enjoy wildlife species which have disappeared.

Follow Euclid Creek Valley along 2.5 miles of interesting geology along this verdant corridor, from Quarry Picnic Area to Highland Picnic Area. Historic points of interest include former Bluestone quarries, CCC camp, and Euclid Beach Park. As the creek flows northward to Lake Erie, so does the reservation. Part of Euclid Creek Reservation includes Wildwood Marina, Villa Angela Park and Beach, and Euclid Beach.

Euclid Creek Reservation is named for Euclid Creek which runs the length of the reservation. It features wooded hillsides where the rare rock chestnut oak grows. The reservation is located in Cleveland, Euclid, South Euclid and Richmond Heights.

The southern portion of the reservation is the site of a “ghost town.” The village of Bluestone flourished in the late 1800s and early 1900s when its populace quarried the blue-gray siltstone used in building sidewalks and other construction. Today, the only remaining exposure of bluestone is in Quarry Picnic Area.

Euclid Creek Reservation expanded in June 2013 to include the northern portion of the reservation consisting of Euclid Beach Park, Villa Angela Park, and Wildwood Park runs along the Lake Erie shoreline.

Once the site of the famous Euclid Beach Amusement Park, Euclid Beach Park now features a 650’ swimming beach with shaded picnic areas, a scenic observation pier, and a reservable pavilion. Though it closed in 1969, signs of the amusement park including the shuffleboard area, remnants of the beachside fountain and concrete footers of the Flying Turns roller coaster are still visible.

Adjacent to Euclid Beach Park is Villa Angela Park and Wildwood Park. Scenic overlooks and a wide variety of plant species can be seen along Villa Angela Park’s scenic boardwalk that leads out to a fishing pier and the 900’ sandy beach.

An angler’s paradise, Wildwood Park has a boat launch providing access to Lake Erie, access to the summer Lake Erie walleye fishery, access to Euclid Creek for spring coho salmon, and two lengthy rock breakwalls to accommodate shore anglers.

The 17-mile Cleveland Lakefront Bike Trail traces the Lake Erie shoreline providing access to Edgewater Park, the E. 55th St. Marina, Gordon Park, Euclid Beach Park, Villa Angela Park, and Wildwood Park.