The Urban Wild
One of the first weekends we lived in Cleveland, my husband, John, and I were walking to the West Side Market when we saw a whitetail deer on the St. Ignatius playing field.
Although we’ve never again seen anything quite that large, we’ve encountered plenty of interesting creatures in our own backyard — snakes, possums, falcons, woodcocks and even a wayward green parakeet. After nine years, we’re still seeing new things.
But spotting new animals and birds in the city takes patience and a lot of luck. A family looking for more instant gratification on their neighborhood nature hike should probably start looking for wildflowers. I recently came across a lovely little book that is the perfect first guide for children. It’s called Wildflowers Around the Year, by Hope Ryden. Cleveland Public Library owns several copies which you can request. It would also make a great Easter gift. It lists for $17 and the ISBN is 0395858143. Call Bookstore on West 25th and ask them to order it for you (216-566-8897).
Ryden selected only 38 flowers for her collection, which is presented with one gorgeous full-page “portrait” of the flower, and one page of interesting facts, legends about the plant’s uses, and comments on its common names. About one third of the collection could be easily spotted by an observant preschooler while on a wagon ride through her own neighborhood.
Nearly all of the others could be seen on a hike in the Cleveland Metroparks. Guided wildflower hikes for families are scheduled this month at these reservations:
Rocky River Reservation (North), SUN 4/13, 2 p.m. Meet at South Mastick Picnic Area (on Valley Parkway just south of Mastick).
Rocky River Reservation (South), SUN 4/27, 2 p.m. Meet at Willow Bend Picnic Area (on Valley Parkway south of Cedar Point Rd.)
North Chagrin Reservation, SUN 4/27, 1:30 p.m. Meet at Strawberry Picnic Area (southeast of the intersection of Routes 6 and 91, off the Buttermilk Falls Parkway).