Cleveland Metroparks shutting down roads and popular outdoor areas to improve social distancing

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - Cleveland Metroparks officials are taking additional steps across the park district to encourage social distancing, and help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Beginning Wednesday, several roads will be closed to motorists in order to provide park users with more space for bicycling, running and hiking.

“Cleveland Metroparks has experienced a surge of park visitors over the past several weeks,” said Brian M. Zimmerman, Cleveland Metroparks CEO, in a prepared statement. “We want to keep our parks open and be of service to the community during this difficult time but we need everyone to follow proper social distancing. These additional steps will effectively turn some of our roads into 20-foot-wide trails to encourage people to spread out and provide proper distance between other park users.”

The following roadways will be closed —

Brecksville Reservation:

• Meadows Drive will be closed to motorists (open to pedestrians/bicyclists) between Chippewa Creek Drive and Valley Parkway

Rocky River Reservation:

• Valley Parkway will be closed to motorists (open to pedestrians/bicyclists) from Spafford Road to Berea Falls

• Hogsback Lane will be closed to motorists (open to pedestrians/bicyclists)

• Rockcliffe Drive will be closed to motorists (open to pedestrians/bicyclists)

South Chagrin Reservation:

• Hawthorn Parkway will be closed to motorists (open to pedestrians/bicyclists) between Route 91 and Arbor Lane

In addition, several outdoor areas and amenities where space is limited will close, including:

• Edgewater Pier

• Euclid Beach Pier

• Fort Hill Stairs

• Squire’s Castle

Several parking lots will also have restrictions to help mitigate crowds in high traffic areas. Guests visiting the parks should anticipate impacts. Updated major closures are available at clevelandmetroparks.com.

Cleveland Metroparks and Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s upcoming programs and events remain canceled. For all information on impacts visit: clevelandmetroparks.com/COVID-19.