Whiskey Island

Whiskey Island, located immediately west of where the Cuyahoga River empties into Lake Erie, was named after a distillery that was built on the land in the 1830s. The "Island" is actually a peninsula of land that was created in 1827 when the mouth of the Cuyahoga River was moved to its current location. Today, Cuyahoga County owns a portion of Whiskey Island that includes Wendy Park and Whiskey Island Marina.

Wendy Park

Wendy Park is the only public park in Cuyahoga County that provides direct access to Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River. Visitors come to enjoy stunning views of downtown Cleveland, walk along the beach, play sand volleyball and watch the birds that rest before and after their trip across Lake Erie.

After purchasing the property in late 2004, Cuyahoga County, together with Dan T. Moore Companies cleaned up debris on the site, graded the land, cleared a portion of the beach that was littered with driftwood, planted grass and improved parking areas, drives and trails. In June 2005, Wendy Park officially opened.

Cuyahoga County's goals for Wendy Park are to:

• provide the public with clean and safe access to a natural Lake Erie shoreline and to the Cuyahoga River;
• support redevelopment in the Flats by providing residents with nearby access to trails, fishing, picnicking, kayak launching and bird watching;
• provide a place to learn about natural area restoration, local history, renewable energy and green-building technologies.

Recently, signs directing visitors to Whiskey Island and Wendy Park from the Shoreway were installed. Gates to control traffic were installed and there were more improvements to trails and drives. Soil made from recycled foundry sand was spread over the eastern portion of the park so that grass could be planted for a community Festival Site. Shrubs were planted to provide food and cover for birds.

Working with many community partners, Cuyahoga County's plans for Wendy Park include:

• planting a 2.5 acre prairie garden including grasses and flowers native to Ohio to attract birds and monarch butterflies;
• working to connect Wendy Park with an extension of the Towpath Trail;
• replacing the guard house using green-building techniques and power the new building with renewable energy sources;
• restoring and expanding the Lake Erie marsh;
• replacing the one-way bridge over the railroad tracks along the entrance road with a two-way bridge; and
• installing signs that explain the site's history and connection to the Cuyahoga Valley including the Heritage Corridor and Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Wendy Park is named for Wendy Moore, a native Clevelander who was captivated by the wild, rugged beauty of Whiskey Island's shoreline. A passionate and devoted skier, Wendy frequently spent her weekends at Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort in the Sierra Nevadas. She died in March 1997 at age 29 as a result of a brain injury incurred while skiing there. She loved Whiskey Island and hoped that one day the beauty that surprised her there would be preserved for everyone to enjoy. Today, the Wendy Park Foundation works to:

• develop and restore the natural environment at Wendy Park to National Park standards of excellence;
• facilitate the restoration of the historic Coast Guard Station;
• integrate Whiskey Island Marina into Wendy Park;
• provide public access to Lake Erie through connecting Wendy Park to the Towpath Trail; and
• create programs and activities that educate the public on Great Lakes ecology, eco-system sustainability, maritime heritage, safety and youth training.

Whiskey Island Marina

Whiskey Island Marina is owned by Cuyahoga County and managed by Whiskey Island Partners. The Marina includes dock space for 230 boats and is protected by two breakwaters and provides direct access to Lake Erie, minutes from downtown Cleveland. The dry-stack building can store 200 boats and marine technicians are on-site. Transient dockage is available with shore power and water available. The Sunset Bar & Grill restaurant is open during the boating season.