Take to the Lake

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 lakes and their 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 historic Lower Shaker Lake.

EVENT DETAILS:

This year, Take to the Lake will be at Lower Shaker Lake on Saturday, August 23rd at 10am-4pm. The event will feature kayak rentals from 41 North Coastal Adventures, canoe and kayak lessons from Cleveland Metroparks, Yoga, a Lower Lake Hike with Dr. Roy Larick and Shaker Historical Society, desserts from the Sweet Suite 216, and exhibits from partners like Cleveland Water Pollution Control, Cleveland Heights Green Team, Cleveland Amateur Boat Building Society, the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, Rust Belt Riders, Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District, and more!

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

When: Saturday, August 23rd, 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

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 will open July 14th!

For canoe, kayak and paddle board owners, non-motorized watercraft is encouraged to bring them to the event and launch from the shore at no cost. Those bringing their own watercraft must ensure that all members of their party have life jackets and that all children have adult supervision on the lake. Public boat launch is located at the launch nearest to Brook Rd. on the Shaker Heights side.

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

More details to come!

EVENT LOGISTICS:

• Lower Shaker Lake is located between North Park and South Park boulevards, just east of Coventry Road in Shaker Heights. Street parking is available along South Park Blvd and adjacent streets.
• We need volunteers to make this event successful. Volunteers will be given an event t-shirt. This annual t-shirt will be made available for purchase in July.

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