Did You Know: Nature in University Circle

Case Western Reserve University is one of the many institutions in University Circle that make our area a cultural hub. As we welcome new members to our community this month, we will highlight some of the local resources that make our neighborhood thrive. For students, some of the local attractions are available at a free rate through the Free Access Program. Though Case Western Reserve University is located in an urban environment, it is near many natural escapes.

Cleveland Botanical Garden

Free with a student ID through the Free Access Program, the Cleveland Botanical Garden features 11 outdoor gardens as well as an enclosed glasshouse with two unique ecosystems: Costa Rican rainforest and the spiny desert of Madagascar.

Cleveland Cultural Gardens

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the 102-year-old Cleveland Cultural Gardens are part of sprawling Rockefeller Park, located along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. The park is just over 2 miles long and features more than 30 gardens, each of which celebrates the heritage of ethnic groups in Cleveland. Visit the gardens for One World DaySunday, Sept. 16, for a naturalization ceremony, cultural performances, the Parade of Nations and more.

Lake View Cemetery

Though it may seem an unusual addition to this list, Lake View Cemetery is well-known not only for its famous residents (including President James Garfield, John D. Rockefeller, Flora Stone Mather and Carl B. Stokes) but also for its walking paths and horticulture.

Nord Family Greenway

One of the most recent additions to campus, the Nord Family Greenway connects CWRU’s main campus, the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Milton and Tamar Maltz Performing Arts Center at Temple – Tifereth Israel.

University Farm

The Squire Valleevue and Valley Ridge Farms are just a short drive from CWRU’s main campus in nearby Hunting Valley. In addition to the courses and research opportunities available at the farm, the university community can visit the 400-acre property to go on a nature walk and participate in continuing education classes on beekeeping, mushroom-growing and foraging.

Beyond University Circle

Cleveland also is home to the Cleveland Metroparks, which comprise 18 reservations across the region with varied attractions and natural scenery. The parks feature hiking and other recreational activities in addition to a full calendar of events. One of the parks is Cleveland’s zoo. The CWRU campus also is a relatively short drive from a national park. The Cuyahoga Valley National Park boasts the Beaver Marsh, Brandywine Falls, the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail and much more.