Encompassing over 150 acres around the Cuyahoga River, this park features views of a 70-foot dam which will be removed in 2024. This restoration will expose the natural falls which have been lying under water for almost a century.
An electric powerplant was built here in 1912, and the dam was built to provide necessary power. The plant remained in operation until 1958 after which it was dismantled while the dam remained.
We started our walk above the river heading toward Mary Campbell cave. Then we went down to the water and hiked back toward the dam.
The photo above left shows the Cuyahoga River approaching the current dam and spillway. On the right you can see what that part of the river used to look like. The rock ledges, now under water, created what was called "Big Falls." To get a sense of how big "Big Falls" were, note the man standing in the lower right corner.
On the left is an artist's rendering of what the restored area could look like.
Below, two views of the current area behind the dam, including a fishing dock.
This manufacturing plant was built in 1914 along the river, a few miles above the current Metropark site. The photo shows the abandoned Walsh Mills Plant circa 1950.
The building is still there, completely renovated into a commercial site, including the Burntwood Tavern which opened in 2010. After our walk, we had lunch overlooking the river inside this building.
