PARKS & TRAILSEVENTSACTIVITIESREGISTER & RESERVEABOUT USNEWS & UPDATES ContactGolfTeachers & SchoolsGet InvolvedWebcamsBlogs DON KEMP PENITENTIARY GLEN RESERVATION Trails, Nature Play and Nature Center open. Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center accepting animals by appointment. KEVIN P. CLINTON WILDLIFE CENTER NATURE PLAY THE APOLLO PROJECT Homepage Parks & Trails Penitentiary Glen Reservation Penitentiary Glen Reservation features forest, fields, wetlands and 8.5 miles of hiking trails and has been designated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife as a "Watchable Wildlife" site. PENITENTIARY GLEN NATURE CENTER Discover the sights and sounds of wildlife at the interactive "Nature Calls" exhibit. Watch and listen to birds and other wildlife through the "Window on Wildlife.” Enjoy seasonal art shows and an annual amateur photography show. The Nature Center is open 9 am to noon Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Admission is free. Click here for seasonal programs/events. The Nature Store The Nature Store is here to inspire, nurture and educate visitors through its unique selection of nature-related merchandise for children and adults. Hours: 9 am to 4:30 pm daily Visa, MasterCard & Discover accepted Lake Metroparks Gift Cards available Regional field guides, “how-to” and nature books for people of all ages Educational toys, games, discovery kits & hand puppets Nature-themed gift items, jewelry, stationery & apparel Accessories for the garden & field, birdfeeders, wildlife homes, bat houses, walking sticks & compasses Vortex optics featuring Audubon & Stokes binoculars for adults & children Locally produced honey & maple syrup when in-season Lake Metroparks/Penitentiary Glen merchandise including: mugs, pins, patches, magnets & apparel X-Plorer Packs 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 440-256-1404. ID required for borrowing packs No registration necessary X-Plorer Packs are available on a first-come, first-served basis THE GORGE 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 limited 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 access to the gorge and a guided hike schedule, or call the Registration Department at 440-358-7275 (fee may apply). PARK HISTORY 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. NATURE PLAY Nature Play is an acre of interactive sites designed to engage children in creative and imaginative nature discovery activities. Nature Play is open sunrise to sunset. Click here for more information. KEVIN P. CLINTON WILDLIFE CENTER The Wildlife Center is closed until further notice due to COVID-19 safety protocols. Animal intake is by appointment only, call 440-256-1404 x2131. The mission of the Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center is to relieve the stress of human impact on wildlife populations through education and wildlife rehabilitation. Our goal is to return healthy wildlife back to the wild. Each year, nearly 2,000 injured or orphaned animals receive first aid and rehabilitation at the Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center. Patients include backyard wildlife such as rabbits and songbirds and endangered species such as the peregrine falcon and bald eagle. Many eventually resume their lives in the wild. Special attention is given to animals whose populations are in decline. Learn more. The Wildlife Center is open 9 am to noon on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. LAKE SHORE LIVE STEAMERS Public train runs: June 27 July 25 August 22 September 12 September 19 October 3 December 4 Miniature steam-powered engines pull passengers through the woodlands of Penitentiary Glen Reservation to the rim of the gorge. The railroad is operated by the Lake Shore Live Steamers Club. Trains sometimes run in conjunction with special events. Safety Rules for the Glen Meadow & Orchard Railroad NOTE: Some of our trains are steam powered and emit smoke, soot and cinders. As an alternative, guests may ask to wait and be placed on a non-steam powered train. All engineers and train crews operate under strict safety rules. For your safety: Children ages 10 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. For safety reasons, pregnant women are not permitted to ride the trains. All children must be able to sit in their own designated seat; lap sitting is not permitted. 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. EDUCATIONAL WORKSHEETS FOR KIDS Wildlife crossword puzzle Carnivores vs. herbivores vs. omnivores What do turtles eat? DOWNLOAD TRAIL MAP INTERACTIVE TRAIL MAP UPCOMING EVENTS UPCOMING PROGRAMS LOCATION 8668 Kirtland-Chardon Rd. Kirtland, Ohio 44094 HOURS 9 am - 5 pm (Nature Center) 9 am - 5 pm (Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center) 9 am - 4:30 pm (The Nature Store) Sunrise - Sunset (Nature Play) 6 AM - 11 PM (Park) Nature Center and Wildlife Center open Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve 9 am to noon; closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. PHONE NUMBER 440-256-1404 ACTIVITIES BIKING BIRDING CAMPING CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING/SNOWSHOEING FISHING HIKING HORSEBACK RIDING WINTER ACTIVITIES AMENITIES 424 acres Accessible facilities Camping by permit Cross-country skiing/snowshoeing Drinking water Electricity Fire ring Fishing Flush restrooms Gift shop Grills Limited bicycling Limited bridle trails Nature center/visitor center Paved trails Picnic area Picnic shelter Playground Trails SHELTERS & FACILITIES RESERVABLE PENITENTIARY GLEN RESERVATION SHELTER 8668 KIRTLAND-CHARDON RD. KIRTLAND, OHIO 44094 Explore an awesome display of nature featuring forest, fields, wetlands and more than 8.5 miles of trail. VIEW DETAILS RESERVABLE PENITENTIARY GLEN RESERVATION CAMPSITE 8668 KIRTLAND-CHARDON RD. KIRTLAND, OHIO 44094 This cozy campsite is nestled near the rim of the gorge. VIEW DETAILS PARKS & TRAILSEVENTSACTIVITIESREGISTER & RESERVEABOUT USNEWS & UPDATES GET IN TOUCH 11211 Spear Rd., Concord Twp., Ohio 44077 Local Phone: 440-639-7275 Visitor Services: 440-358-7275 info@lakemetroparks.com CONNECT WITH US Copyright 2021, Lake Metroparks Rules & RegulationsPrivacy PolicySign up for e-newsletter