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Take to the Lake

Join Take to the Lake at Lower Shaker Lake, kayaking, canoeing, hikes, yoga, and family fun celebrating local waterways.

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By Alex Kirchner
3 min read
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Doan Brook Watershed Partnership has been hosting our annual event Take to the Lake which was started in 2013 as a memorial to Lester Stumpe, an avid paddler and early DBWP board member. We typically host the event on the last Saturday in August and this years event details can be found below. Canoeing on the Shaker Lakes was a popular pastime in the first half of the 20th century, but public boating on the lakes is now less common. Take to the Lake gives participants a chance to resurrect this recreational opportunity for a day, and gain a new perspective on the Doan Brook and its place in our watershed community. We hope you will join us for an afternoon of paddling, guided hikes, yoga, and music along the banks of the Doan Brook’s waters.

EVENT DETAILS:

This year, Take to the Lake will be at Lower Shaker Lake on Saturday, August 22nd at 10am-4pm. The event will feature canoe and kayak lessons from Cleveland Metroparks, yoga, a hike guided by DBWP staff, and exhibits from various partners.

Where: Lower Shaker Lake, 1 Brook Rd. Shaker Heights, OH

When: Saturday, August 22nd, 10am-4pm

Parking: If you choose to drive, please park on the south side of South Park Boulevard. Parking is somewhat limited, so please consider carpooling, walking, biking or taking public transportation if you can.

REGISTER HERE

ActivityRegistration
Kayak Lessons with Cleveland MetroparksKayak Lesson 1- 10am-11:15am
Kayak Lesson 2- 10:15am-11:30am
Kayak Lesson 3- 11:30am-12:45pm
Kayak Lesson 4- 11:45am-1pm
Kayak Lesson 5- 1:15pm-2:30pm
Kayak Lesson 6- 1:30pm-2:45pm.
Canoe Lessons with Cleveland MetroparksCanoe Lesson 1- 10:30am-11:45am
Canoe Lesson 2- 10:45am-12:00pm
Canoe Lesson 3- 12:00pm-1:15pm
Canoe Lesson 4- 12:15pm-1:30pm.

Cleveland Metroparks Waiver

All guests will be required to sign a waiver before paddling: kayaking and canoeing. Waivers will be available onsite. A parent/legal guardian MUST sign for all minors. In the event another adult is accompanying the minor at the event, the minor’s parent/legal guardian can complete and have the minor bring this waiver to the program.

Here is the link to download the aforementioned waiver: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UWRvpsomUwNGsH9YqL8b8b-r8JQ52aGK/view?usp=sharing

ActivityRegistration
HikeThe Doan Brook: Hiking for Cleaner Waters 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Yoga by the LakeYoga- 10:15am-11:15am
Volunteer at Take to the LakeSign up to volunteer!

ABOUT THE EVENT:

For first-time paddlers, Cleveland Metroparks Outdoor Recreation will offer kayak/canoe lessons with lifejacket/PFD that are open to all (at least age 8 and weigh between 50 -275 lbs.). This is a good opportunity to learn the basics of paddling while enjoying some quality time on the lake.

Registration is open now!

In addition to boating, the event will include some fun onshore activities

More details to come!

Disclaimer: This event is subject to change and final decisions regarding safety on the water including but not limited to water quality and level will be made by August 12th. Should a visible algal bloom appear after August 12th, we may have to cancel the event. Any adjustments will be communicated with registered participants and shared on our social media.

Take to the Lake is sponsored by the Doan Brook Watershed Partnership, with support from the Cities of Shaker Heights, Cleveland Heights, and Cleveland, the Cleveland Metroparks, Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, and DBWP volunteers.

Program Category
Community Programs

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See the progress we made together for the Doan Brook watershed in 2025.
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