Go to Cleveland Metroparks website: = http://www.clemetparks.com for more information. Brecksville From the oak-hickory forests on the ridge tops to the cottonwoods, willows and sycamores of Chippewa Creek's flat floodplain, Brecksville Reservation is a study of contrasts. The reservation is deeply cut by seven distinct gorges which have a wide variety of soil and sunlight conditions, fostering the growth of rare, unusual and endangered plants. Chippewa Creek, in the northern section of the reservation, flows through a remarkable gorge that was left behind by the glaciers that once covered this area. The reservation has an excellent and extensive system of trails, including a section of the "Buckeye Trail." Squire Rich Home & Museum, managed by the Brecksville Historical Society, and Sleepy Hollow Golf Course, both on Brecks-ville Road, are also a part of the reservation. Valley Parkway Trail (Brecksville) TRAILS: Scenic Overlook Trail Cleveland Metroparks Brecksville Reservation Trail Location Brecksville, Ohio (Cuyahoga County) Park at the Brecksville nature Center on Chippewa Creek Drive. Chippewa Creek Drive can be accessed from State Route 82 or Riverview Road in Brecksville, Ohio. Hemlock Forest above Chippewa Creek. Trail Summary Length: 1/4 mile. Duration: 20 Minutes Surface: Gravel/natural. Type: Loop. Difficulty: easy Accessibility: no Trail Description This short trail is a loop which begins and ends at the Harriet Keeler Memorial. From Becksvile Nature Center, take the Yellow Trail (Valley Stream Trail) to the memorial. From there, follow the white markers across Chippewa Creek Parkway and down the hill. You will pass under the fine green needles of canadian hemlock as you hike toward the Chippewa Creek Gorge. Breathe deeply and notice how serene this setting is. Even with the All Purpose Trail and parkway behind you, and Route 82 ahead of you beyond the forest, peace abounds in this vale. You may also notice that the air seems cooler here, and the soil moister. Valleys such as this create a cool microclimate suitable for the hemlocks and other more northern species that may be found here. Small Waterfalls on Chippewa Creek along the Scenic Overlook Trail in Brecksville Reservation.As you reach the bottom of your descent, a wooden fence will mark the point where the trail turns to begin its short ascent back to the parkway. In this area, you will find a small shelter of stone and logs. Look down into the gorge and you will notice a stone bridge. Beneath its graceful arch is a small waterfall, a hidden gem. Nearby Trails Valley Stream Trail Chippewa Creek Parkway All Purpose Trail Valley Parkway All Purpose Trail Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail (CVNP Section) Buckeye Trail The ALL PURPOSE Valley Parkway Trail is a 2.9-mile trail along Valley Parkway from Edgerton Road to Ridge Road and 4.5-mile trail along Chippewa Creek Drive and Valley Parkway from Rts. 82 and 21 to Riverview Road. Entrances are off Routes 82 and 21, and Riverview and Parkview roads. Brecksville Fitness Trail The physical fitness trail consists of 18 exercise stations spaced over a 1.4 mile path. Each station provides a different type of exercise. Located near Chippewa Ford Field, on Valley Parkway, west of Riverview Road in Brecksville. Valley Stream Trail Cleveland Metroparks Brecksville Reservation Trail Location Brecksville, Ohio (Cuyahoga County) Park at the Brecksville nature Center on Chippewa Creek Drive. Chippewa Creek Drive can be accessed from State Route 82 or Riverview Road in Brecksville, Ohio. The forests around the Valley Stream Trail are a mix of older white oaks and younger Maples and beech. Trail Summary Length: 1/2 mile. Duration: 40 Minutes Surface: Gravel/natural. Type: Loop. Difficulty: easy Accessibility: no Trail Description The Valley Stream Trail is a loop trail which meanders trhough the oak woods of Brecksville Reservation. Begin hiking at the Brecksville Nature Center. Proceeding clockwise, the trail quickly descends into a peaceful stream valley. After descending the stairs, you will cross the stream. The water flows from the forests above this small valley into this creek, which converges with Chippewa Creek, and thence into the Cuyahoga River just south of the Station Road Bridge. In mid-summer, you will notice small clusters of tiny white flowers seemingly springing from the dead leaves of last fall. The flowers are probably those of Ramps, or Leeks. The wide lily-like leaves of the leeks are green in early spring, but then quickly die back. The flowers spring up after the green leaves are gone. In late summer, the remains of these flowers will be tan or brownish, with perfectly spherical, hard black seeds nestled in the center of each. If you dare to crack one of these seeds between your teeth as you hike, you will be rewarded with a taste somewhat akin to onion, but with a tinge of pizza aftertaste. Don't take all of the seeds, however, as overcollecting the seeds may cause the population of these plants to dwindle. As you hike along through these woods, you will notice that the trail gradually rises. The forest is a mixture of white and red oaks, with a large component of younger beeches and maples. This is an opportunity to see clear evidence of natural succession. Oaks are shade intolerant for the most part. That means that they like to grow in lots of light, and conversely, they do not grow well in shade. So you generally see oaks regenerate in either a recent clearcut, a burned out area, or a large gap that allows in ample light for a long period of time. Beeches and maples on the other hand, will grow under dense shade. They sprout and grow into the midlevel of the forest, or into the sub-canopy, then wait there, for perhaps several hundred years, growing slowly and biding their time. They grow fine in the shade of existing forests, whether it is composed of oak, beech, maple, or other species. Then, when something kills the dominant overstory trees, whether insects, wind, lightening, or old age, these shade tolerant trees spring into action. Lion's Paw, a typical plant of the forest floor in northeast Ohio.In the space of a few years they will fill the gap left by the former dominant tree. In a beech maple forest, it is usually the beeches and maples that dominate the seedling and sapling layers. So, guess what replaces the beeches and maples when a large tree leaves a gap in the canopy. You guessed it. Beeches and maples for the most part. Tulip, cucumber magnolia, ash, cherry and a number of others may also grow well in these areas, but generally, it will be beeches and maples, unless there is a really large gap, such as that created by a tornado. Take a look around. Try to decide what will replace the larger trees if they die. I bet you will find that after the oaks die out, this forest will become a beech maple forest. As you come out of the forest, you will notice a small stone patio around a small monument to Harriet Keeler, a naturalist, conservationist and author. Beyond the memorial, you will walk through a prairie, planted with native prairie plants and managed by Cleveland Metroparks by burning to keep the forest plants from recolonizing. A small observation deck here has some nice descriptions of ecology, as well as some pictures to help you identify the prairie plants. From here it is a short walk back to the Brecksville Nature Center. Brecksville: Directions: I-77..... FROM THE NORTH OR SOUTH exit at Rt. 82 east (Royalton Rd.)* to Rt 21 (Brecksville Rd.)* NOTE: If going to Brecksville Nature Center, Chippewa Field or Meadows Picnic Area, go east on Rt. 82 past the Rt. 21 intersection. Park entrance will be on the right. NOTE: If going to Sleepy Hollow Golf Course, Maintenance, Graphics Division, Brecksville Stable, Ottawa Point Picnic Area, or Oak Grove Picnic Area, turn right (south) on Rt. 21. NOTE: Sleepy Hollow Golf Course, Maintenance and Graphics will be on the left side of Rt. 21. Park entrance leading to the stables, Ottawa Point and Oak Grove Picnic areas will be on the left just past Sleepy Hollow Golf Course. I-271..... FROM THE NORTH to I-480 West to I-77 South (see I-77 directions) I-271..... FROM THE SOUTH to I-77 North (see I-77 directions) I-71..... FROM THE SOUTH to I-271 North to I-77 North (see I-77 directions) I-71..... FROM THE NORTH to I-480 East to I-77 South (see I-77 directions) I-480..... FROM THE EAST OR WEST to I-77 South (see I-77 directions) I-90..... FROM THE EAST OR WEST to I-77 South (see I-77 directions) TURNPIKE..... EXIT 11 take Rt. 21 (Brecksville Rd) north* park entrance is on the right NOTE: For Sleepy Hollow Golf Course, Maintenance or Graphics, continue north on Rt. 21 just past the Brecksville Reservation entrance. link to Cleveland Metroparks website: = http://www.clemetparks.com/visit/index.asp?action=rdetails&reservations_id=1006