Cleveland Lakefront State Park unveiled The Exploration Station—the nature center located at the park office building in June, 2010. The Exploration Station is retrofitted office space and offers exhibits, displays, and hands on activities about Lake Erie, local wildlife, non-native invasive species, conservation, water safety, navigation, underwater exploration, and much more. We also have some live animal displays including land and aquatic turtles, snake, and tarantula.
The park funded and created many of the displays while area organizations and groups such as CLUE (Cleveland Underwater Explorers), Euclid Beach Park Now, Friends of Edgewater, NEORSD, ODNR Division of Watercraft, and The Lake Kleenerz also contributed.
Much of the park funding came in the form of funds generated by sales of the Ohio State Park license plate. Proceeds from sales of the park plate are designated for interpretive and environmental education programs and displays. Consider purchasing one today!
Visits to The Exploration Station are FREE of charge!!
2011- 2012 WINTER HOURS
for a printable version of the schedule.DECEMBER
Sat. 12/3 1 pm—4 pm
Sat. 12/10 1 pm—4 pm
Sat. 12/17 1 pm—4 pm
Special Holiday Hours:
Mon. 12/19 1 pm—4 pm
Fri. 12/23 1 pm—4 pm
Tues. 12/27 1 pm—4 pm
Thurs. 12/29 1 pm—4 pm
JANUARY
Sat. 1
/7 1 pm—4 pm
Sat. 1/21 1 pm—4 pm
(Nature Center will NOT be open this date)
Sat. 1/28 1 pm—4 pm
FEBRUARY
Sat. 2/18 1 pm—4 pm
Sat. 2/25 1 pm—4 pm
Art Exhibit: Student work from Our Lady of the Lake School
December: Creative Creatures by fifth and sixth grade students
January & February: A mural depicting the animals and creatures that are found in and around Lake Erie by second grade students.
While we are usually open every Saturday afternoon, we will be CLOSED on the days listed below.
December 24 & 31
Happy Holidays!!
January 14
January 21
Hike at Hocking Hills State Park
February 4 & 11
The Exploration Station is available for private visits and programs for youth, school and scout groups. A trip to visit The Exploration Station may be combined with personalized programs for your classroom or group on a variety of nature and Great Lakes topics. These programs would take place in our conference room or outdoors (weather permitting). Inquire regarding availability and program topics. Click here for program description list (not updated - call for additional & custom programs available).
Visits to The Exploration Station and programs are free of charge.
8701 Lakeshore Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44108
216-881-8141 ext. 3001 / clsp.naturalist@dnr.state.oh.us
DIRECTIONS: From I-90/SR-2 exit at Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Turn to the north (towards the lake). After stop sign continue along roadway as it curves to the right (toward Bratenahl) and goes up a slight hill. The driveway is on the left at the top of the hill. It is a split drive so when you turn left stay to the left. The nature center is in the park office building (one story building with American flag out front). Enter the front doors of the building and the nature center is housed in the right wing off the lobby.
MEDIA POSTINGS:
The Plain Dealer 7/22/10
http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/07/nature_center_opens_at_clevela.html
Green City Blue Lake Website
http://www.gcbl.org/planning/lakefront/exploration-station
WHAT VISITORS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE EXPLORATION STATION: (Comments from visitor survey forms)
"This is a wonderful station with really great interactive educational activities!"
"A lot of information packed in a small space."
"Wonderful job – a number of very interesting exhibits for all ages."
"A great new asset to the area."
"We learned lots!"