 Printer Friendly Version
Concerts at the Glen - June 14, July 12, and August 9 • 7 to 8:30 pm
Enjoy an evening of music in a natural setting
Park Amenities
Accessible facilities, picnic area with grills, All People's Trail, drinking water, restrooms, hiking trails, cross-country skiing, Nature Center, Wildlife Center, The Nature Store gift shop and a bridle trail.
Directions
Take I-90 to Rt. 306 south for about one mile. Turn left onto Rt. 615. Turn right (east) onto Kirtland-Chardon Road and continue for two miles. Penitentiary Glen Reservation is located on the right (south) side of the road.
Shelter Rental
Call the Lake Metroparks Registration Department at 440-358-7275.
Penitentiary Glen Reservation
Come explore an awesome display of nature
featuring 424 acres of forest, fields, wetlands, and over 7.5 miles of hiking trails. The park is named for the deep gorge that divides it, which is easy to get into and difficult to get out of. Naturalists lead exciting seasonal nature-inspired programs and events. Picnic at the sheltered pavilion and listen to the sounds of nature.
Designated by the
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife as a
'Watchable Wildlife' site.
Additional information
Discover the sights and sounds of wildlife at the interactive Nature Calls exhibit. Watch and listen to birds and other wildlife through the award-winning "Window on Wildlife.” Take home a gift from The Nature Store – your headquarters for bird feeders, t-shirts, field guides, toys, and children’s books.
Nature Center: 9 am to 5 pm
Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
The Nature Store: 9 am to 5 pm
Free daily admission.
Certain programs and evening events and require registration and/or fee.
 The Wildlife Center is home to 25
animal ambassadors ranging from reptiles, mammals, to a variety of birds of prey. These animals assist the staff in educating the public, groups, and students about wildlife issues and conservation.
Get an up-close look at all of our amazing ambassadors in our Wildlife Center Yard!
Open 9 am to 5 pm daily.
Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
View flyer • Register • Download PDF
Wildlife Center 30th Anniversary Celebration
July 28, 2013 • Noon to 4 pm
Bug Day
September 8, 2013
Noon to 4 pm
The Twelve Days of Winter
November 23, 2013 through January 5, 2014 noon to 5 pm daily
Open Christmas Eve noon to 3 pm; closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
27th Annual Amateur Photography Contest Show
June 7 through July 28, 2013
9 am to 5 pm daily
More than 230 entries on display!
Woodcarvers Show
July 28, 2013
9 am to 5 pm
Fall Art Show
September 7 - October 13
9 am to 5 pm daily
Concerts at the Glen
Friday June 14, July 12, August 9
7 – 8:30 pm
FREE • No registration necessary
Concerts play rain or shine
Hummingbird Open House
August 4, 2013
Noon to 4 pm
Monarch Open House
September 15, 2013
Celebrating Black Squirrels
October 6, 2013
The Big Campout!
June 21 to 23, 2013
Friday 4 pm to noon Sunday
Pre-registration is required; Register online or call 440-358-7275 or 800-669-9226.
Super Star Party
August 10, 2013
8 pm to midnight
Pre-registration is requested; Register online or call 440-358-7275 or 800-669-9226.
Magical Whooloween
October 18 & 19, 2013
5:30 to 10:30 pm
Advanced ticket purchase required. Order online or call 440-358-7275 or 800-669-9226.
River Jamboree at Hidden Valley Park
July 14
FREE Train Rides
Miniature steam-powered engines pull passengers through the woodlands of Penitentiary Glen Reservation to the rim of the gorge. Trains sometimes run in conjunction with a special event. The railroad is operated by the Lake Shore Live Steamers Club.
 Rides run 1 to 3 pm, weather permitting, on the following Sundays in 2013:
- June 30
- July 14 & 28
- August 11 & 25
- September 8 & 22
- October 6
- December 7 (Saturday)
Safety Rules for the Glen Meadow & Orchard Railroad
NOTE: Some of our trains are steam powered and emit smoke, soot and cinders which add to the experience. As an alternative, guests may ask to wait and be placed on a non-steam powered train.
For your safety, please...
- Children ages 10 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
- All passengers must be seated in a designated seat.
- Pregnant women are not permitted to ride the trains.
- Remain seated and facing forward with hands & feet inside train.
- Sit still and do not lean.
- Photography and videotaping are prohibited.
- Follow instructions of railroad crew at all times.
- Boarding may be denied any person due to safety reasons.
- Any unsafe action or violation of above regulations may result in
removal from train.
Thank you for your cooperation and have a pleasant journey.
All engineers and train crews operate under strict safety rules.
 Want to learn more about what can be found at Penitentiary Glen Reservation?
Sign out an X-Plorer pack and use the tools inside to identify birds, plants, insects, and more. Plus you get to fill out and keep your own nature journal!
The tools, activities and journal change seasonally.
What a great way to spend a day with your family, scout group or class!!
For more information, please call the front desk at 440-256-1404.
- ID required for borrowing packs.
- No registration necessary
- X-Plorer Packs are available on a first-come, first served basis.
 Penitentiary Glen is known for the deep gorge that divides the park in two. Settlers in the early 1880s called the gorge "Penitentiary Glen," because it was difficult to get out of the deepest part, much like a prison or penitentiary. (Imagine trying to climb straight up a 100 ft. wall!) The gorge is a sensitive area and has restricted access because of its steep walls, exposed rock, and fragile vegetation. Naturalists lead guided hikes throughout the year. Ask staff in the Nature Center about our hikes or call the Registration Department at 440-358-7275.
Gorge Hikes
The great gorge that gives Penitentiary Gully its name is always a magical place to hike on a summer afternoon. Be prepared to walk in the creek bed with your naturalist guide. Shoes that you don't mind getting wet are a must! The place is leisurely, but the terrain is rough.
Come and explore this unique place that is not normally open to the public. Instructor: Volunteer Guides and Pat Morse.
Call the Registration Department at 440-358-7275 for dates and more information.
Back to top
“In nature all things are unique and so is our store”
 Visit our Nature Store and enjoy its convenient location, expanded product lines, and quality merchandise.
Hours:
9 am to 5 pm daily
Mission
The Nature Store is here to inspire, nurture and educate visitors through its unique selection of nature-related merchandise for children and adults.
Gift ideas
- Regional field guides, “how-to” and nature books for people of all ages.
- Educational toys, games, discovery kits and hand puppets.
- Nature-themed gift items, jewelry, stationary & apparel.
- Accessories for the garden & field; bird feeders, wildlife homes, bat houses, walking sticks & compasses.
- Vortex optics featuring Audubon and Stokes binoculars for adults and children.
- Locally produced honey and maple syrup when in-season.
- Lake Metroparks/Penitentiary Glen merchandise including: mugs, pins, patches, magnets and apparel.
Other information
- Open 9 am to 5 pm daily
- 440-256-2128
- Visa, MasterCard & Discover Accepted
- Gift certificates available
The Nature Store at Penitentiary Glen supports Lake Metroparks mission of conservation, education, and stewardship.
Back to top
In 1912, the Halle family, owners of the Halle Bros. Co. in Cleveland, bought this property for their summer estate and working farm. The farm was managed by the Burnett family, who lived here year-round. The only remaining structure is the horse barn, which now houses the Nature Center. Wise use of the land has preserved this special area for today and the future.
The Halles' lifestyle was typical of many wealthy Cleveland families who lived in the city and spent summers in the country. Sam and Blanche Halle had a deep respect for nature and wanted their children to have the same. They hired Maude Doolittle, a school teacher from Massachusetts who loved nature, as a governess for the children during the summer months.
Hallefarm
 A professionally designed and installed educational interactive exhibit highlighting the ‘hey-days” of Hallefarm and demonstrates land use changes over time. This new exhibit explores the Halle family summer estate from historic local agricultural trends, to the present day 400 acre natural area preserved by Lake Metroparks.
The rich heritage of the Halle family while present on the property will be featured along with that of the Burnett family, caretakers of the estate.
The Hallefarm exhibit includes:
- A large photo album with over thirty early black and white photographs of Hallefarm.
- Ten touch boxes featuring artifacts from Hallefarm, i.e. Ann Halle’s spats, a draft horse shoe, hay hooks, and ice tongs.
- Large aerial photographs showing land use patterns over time.
- An interactive computer kiosk featuring past and current photos, audio and video. Visitors will be able to compare “then” and “now”.
- Exhibit counter tops with Corinthian capital bases, replicas from the cottage site.
- A companion map/trail guide offer a self-guided tour down memory lane featuring twelve stations along the Hallefarm trail with information about the history of the property.
Stations include The Horse Barn (now the Nature Center), Apple orchard (Miniature Railroad), Rose Garden (Wildflower Garden), Swimming pool (Stoney Brook), and the Tack Room (Heritage Library)
Hallefarm will be a permanent addition to the interactive exhibits at The Nature Center. Admission is free to all ages.
Back to top
Clubs that meet at Penitentiary Glen Nature Center
Blackbrook Audubon Society
Lake Shore Live Steamers
Western Reserve Photographic Society
Biological Diversity of Ohio
Ohio Ornithological Society
Northern Ohio Assoc of Herpetologists
Ohio Mushroom Society
Ohio Odonata Society
Spiders in Ohio
ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves
ODNR Division of Wildlife
General Nature
eNature
Wildlife Center
Trails
Buckeye Trail Association
Back to top
|
