Lakewood boasts two outdoor pools open from early June through Labor Day, Foster Pool at Lakewood Park (Lake and Belle Avenues) and Becks Pool at Madison Park (13201 Madison Avenue). Children six and under are free. Call 529-4121 (Foster) or 529-4120 (Madison) for swimming times. Learn to Swim classes are offered at both pools; for information on pools and other recreation programs in Lakewood, call Community Recreation & Education at 216/529-4081 or visit www.lakewoodrecreation.com.

Lakewood YMCA Aquatics programs offer children and adults the opportunity to experience the many wonders of water in a heated 25-yard indoor pool. Programs include swim lessons, water aerobics, and family swims. For a complete list of fitness programs, services and fees, visit www.clevelandymca.org/branches/lakewood. The Lakewood YMCA is at 16915 Detroit Ave. 216/521-8400.

Located at the southwest corner of Lakewood High School, the Lakewood High School Pool is an indoor, eight lane, 25 yard main pool, with a separate diving well with one and three meter diving boards. After 4 p.m., the pool is reached by traveling north up Robinwood Ave. from Madison Ave. until the street ends. The entrance doors are located under the overhang. Programs include Adult Swim Hours, Learn to Swim classes, Water Aerobics and Springboard Diving. Go to www.lakewoodrecreation.com for information.

If you want to hit the beach, Huntington Beach in Bay Village is open 11 a.m.-9 p.m., early June through late August. Be prepared to haul your gear and your children down a very long flight of stairs to reach the beach. There are nice picnic areas, a concession stand and a Honey Hut ice cream stand (yum!) on the cliff above the beach. Visit www.clemetparks.com for information and directions.

Edgewater Beach, officially known as Cleveland Lakefront State Park, borders the eastern edge of Lakewood in Cleveland at 8701 Lakeshore Blvd., 216/881-8141. This very urban park features a 900-foot swimming beach, tree-lined picnic areas and panoramic views of the lake and downtown Cleveland. More information is available at www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/parks/clevelkf/tabid/721/Default.aspx

If Lake Erie is too big or too cold for you, a great alternative is Hinckley Lake. Located between I-71 and I-77, north of I-271, Hinckley Reservation is part of the Cleveland Metroparks. It features both a sandy beach on Hinckley Lake with water much warmer and calmer than Lake Erie and the Ledge Pool, an 80 x 100 foot, heated, stainless steel pool that ranges from 2’ deep to 5’ deep. The pool is at 1151 Ledge Rd., west of State Rd. and east of Kellogg Rd. Call 330/239-2911 for information.

Walking in Lakewood is fascinating for those who enjoy a mix of old homes both grand and humble and scenic views of both Lake Erie and the Rocky River valley. The Lakewood Walks website (lkwdpl.org/paths/walks/) offers information on discovery tours for residents and visitors to help pilot Lakewood's streets and sidewalks and illuminate their history. Lakewood encompasses 5½ square miles of tree-lined streets with friendly neighborhoods, vibrant commercial districts, and connection to a heritage rich in architecture and community pride. On the north and west, Lakewood borders two of the area's tremendous natural resources — Lake Erie and the Cleveland Metropark's Rocky River Reservation.

Clifton Park, a historic area on the northwest side of Lakewood, is lovely for a stroll; see blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/09/whats_the_deal_with_clifton_pa.html for an interesting short history of the area. Another neighborhood of note on Lakewood’s southeast corner is Birdtown, named for streets such as Lark and Quail.

If you are interested in a “virtual walk” through Lakewood, check out lakewooddailysnap.blogspot.com/ for one photographer’s daily diary of things to see in Lakewood.

Valley Vagabonds, Inc. of Cleveland sponsors traditional and year-round non-competitive walking and biking events. The goal of Valley Vagabonds is to promote active interest in leisure activities. Information about the Lakewood Valley Vagabonds Year-Round Event which focuses on Authors and Literary Landmarks, Great Lakes, and Native American Culture can be found at the Lakewood Public Library at 15425 Detroit Avenue. Visit www.valleyvagabonds.org for more information.

Lakewood Parks
The Lakewood Parks system has 15 dedicated parks categorized as Community Parks (3 or more acres), Neighborhood Parks (up to 3 acres), or Pocket Parks (less than 1 acre). Dogs are not permitted in any city park except the Lakewood Dog Park.

The crown jewel of the city, Lakewood Park is a 31 acre lakefront park located at the intersection of Belle and Lake Avenues. The park offers facilities for swimming, tennis and sand volleyball. You can play at Kids Cove Playground or take in a summer movie or concert at the Bandshell. New in 2006, The Lakefront Promenade is a gorgeous brick walkway where visitors can enjoy a majestic view of Lake Erie, as well as a fabulous skyline view of downtown Cleveland. A handicap-accessible ramp, with stone walls and brick pavers, extends from the top of the bluff to the lower Lakefront Promenade. There are also picnic areas, softball fields, a skate park and a historical museum located within the park.

On the southeast side of Lakewood, at 13201 Madison Ave., Madison Park boasts a lighted softball field, soccer field, a picnic pavilion, tennis courts, and a pool. A new playground was opened in 2008.

Lakewood Dog Park, one of only two such dog parks in Cuyahoga County, is located at 1299 Metropark Drive in the Metroparks near the Lakewood Water Treatment Plant. The Lakewood Dog Park provides a fenced-in area where dogs may play off-leash and socialize with other dogs.

There are also five Neighborhood Parks with amenities that include tennis courts, playground areas, picnic tables and tee-ball fields. In addition, seven Pocket Parks offer scenic areas to sit and relax, enjoy a little green space, read a book or just watch the world go by. For a complete list and description of Lakewood Parks, see onelakewood.com/PublicWorks/Parks_PublicProperty/.

Rocky River Parks
If your dog doesn’t play well with others (other dogs, that is), but you would still like to take him to a park, dogs are welcome in Rocky River. One of the best places for walking the dog is Elmwood Park at 600 Elmwood Road. There is an area behind the athletic fields (The entrance is not obvious; you may need directions before your first visit.) with paths crisscrossing through a wooded area, kind of a mini metropark. Also popular with dog-owners is Rocky River Park, 20250 Beachcliff. This gem of a park has a beach, playground, and a staircase that takes you to the top of the bluff for a fantastic view of Lake Erie. This is a popular spot for families and couples (and their dogs) to take in the sunset over Lake Erie. Check out www.rrcity.com/rec/facilities%20trial.htm or call 440-356-5657 for information on all the Rocky River parks.

Lakewood Park, located at the intersection of Belle and Lake Avenue offers multipurpose trails perfect for light cycling. Take the path that runs behind the Lakewood Park Bandshell and exits onto a residential culdesac to continue your ride in the adjoining scenic neighborhoods north of Lake Avenue.

Edgewater Park, officially known as Cleveland Lakefront State Park, borders the eastern edge of Lakewood in Cleveland at 8701 Lakeshore Blvd., 216/881-8141. Take in great views of Lake Erie while enjoying the multipurpose loop trail that abuts the beach and shoreline. More information is available at www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/parks/clevelkf/tabid/721/Default.aspx

Rocky River Reservation offers the Valley Parkway Trail, a 13-mile multipurpose trail beginning from the Scenic Park Picnic Area off the Detroit Road entrance in Lakewood. Massive shale cliffs rise above the willows, sycamores and cottonwoods, and many trails wind through the valley's deep floodplain forests, meadows and wildflowers. Wildlife is common in the valley and visitors can expect to see numerous bird species and some common Ohio mammals year-round, including the white-tailed deer. Visit www.clemetparks.com to learn more.

To join other Lakewood riders and discover additional routes outside of Lakewood, check out the group Bike Lakewood at www.bikelakewood.org

Ray's MTB Indoor Park is a 92,000 square foot mountain biking facility opened in 2004 in an industrial park in Cleveland. Considered the world's first multi-terrain indoor bike park, Ray's aims to improve skills and introduce riders to new disciplines in a safe environment, as well as provide riding facilities during the winter. Their season runs October through May. Monday night sessions are focused on beginners. Visit www.raysmtb.com.

The Lakewood Recreation Department often offers golf instruction for youth. Call 216/529-4081 or check their website at www.lakewoodrecreation.com for the current catalog.

The 9-hole "Washington" course at the Washington Golf Learning Center facility in Newburgh Heights is a great learning course for kids and adults alike. Located within the Cleveland Metroparks, the course can be found at 3841 Washington Park Blvd. Call 216/641-1864x 221 or visit http://www.clevelandmetroparks.com for more information.

Memphis Mini-golf is one of the most challenging putt-putt courses in the Cleveland area. So challenging, in fact, they hold tournaments every summer. Memphis Miniature Golf is located at 10340 Memphis Ave. in Brooklyn. Call 216/941-5995 or visit www.memphiskiddiepark.com for more information.

Located in the lower level of Westfield Shoppingtown Southpark Mall in Strongsville, Firefly's Minigolf is an indoor, glow-in-the dark mini golf course. Call 440/846-4569 or visit www.fireflysminigolf.com.

Mastick Woods Golf Course, part of the Rocky River Reservation, is perfect for beginners and is located at 19900 Puritas Ave. in Cleveland. Visit www.clemetparks.com/recreation/golf/mastick_woods.asp for more information.

Lakewood Park has an awesome skatepark built and designed with major help from Lakewood skaters. Meant for skateboarding and blading only, the park is open from 9 a.m.-9 p.m., weather permitting. For park rules and additional information, visit www.lkwdskaters.org/skatepark/index.html

There's also a lesser-known Rocky River High School Skate Park. Open from April through the fall, this park features a 12' x 24' halfpipe, an 8' x 20' two foot high fun box and an 8' x 8' 3 1/2 foot high quarterpipe. For more information, visit www.rrcity.com/rec/skate_park.htm

Ray’s Indoor Mountain Bike Park offers a place to ride out even the worst case of cabin fever. Mondays are focused on beginners and first timers. Ray's is located at Walford Industrial Park, 9801 Walford Ave. in Cleveland. Visit www.raysmtb.com.

In addition to the eight or so martial arts studios located throughout Lakewood (check your local Yellow Pages), the Lakewood Recreation Department often offers both Fencing and Tae Kwon Do instruction for youth at a very reasonable price. Call 216/529-4081 or check their website at www.lakewoodrecreation.com for the current catalog and additional information.

Fencing is also available at Cyrano's Place, located at 15639 Madison Ave in Lakewood. Beginner and avanced classes are available for kids ages 5 to adult. For more information call 216/227-3835 or visit www.cyranosplace.com

You just can’t raise children in the Cleveland area without taking them bowling. Mahall's 20 Lanes at 13200 Madison Ave. boasts a cool neon sign outside and a timeless atmosphere within. Founded in 1924 by John K. Mahall, this is one of the oldest family-owned businesses in Lakewood. Mahall's has 20 lanes on two floors, 10 full sized tournament pool tables (by the hour), a full bar and kitchen, and live music or karaoke on the weekends. Call 521-3280 for hours and bowling prices.

Another Lakewood bowling location is Madison Square Lanes at 1653 Westwood Ave. Call 216/221-8558 for more information on prices and open bowling times.

The Lakewood Recreation Department often offers bowling instruction for youth. Call 216/529-4081 or check their website at www.lakewoodrecreation.com for the current catalog.

Bowling parties are a big deal at Fairview Lanes, 21847 Lorain Road in Fairview Park. Their 20 modern lanes are all equipped with bumpers to keep your kids’ bowling balls out of the gutters, and they can accommodate groups from 8-120. They provide pizza and unlimited soft drinks; all you need to bring is the cake. The birthday girl or boy receives a personalized, real bowling pin or a glow-in-the-dark T-shirt. Fairview Lanes also offers birthday parties for teens and adults, league bowling, open bowling and MoonRock bowling. Visit their website at fairviewlanes.com or call 440/331-3244 for more information.

Lakewood’s newly renovated ice rink, reopened in 2008 as Serpentini Arena at Winterhurst, is located at 14740 Lakewood Hts. Blvd., intersection of I-90 and Warren Road (529-4400). Skate rental is available. There are open skating sessions every day of the week, and Learn-to-Skate classes are available for all ages. Check the website at www.serpentiniarena.com for more information.

Cleveland's Halloran Park, 3550 W. 117th St. (664-4187), offers outdoor, but roofed ice skating. Hours are M-F 12-2:30 p.m. for adults and toddlers; 3-5 p.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. are open skating sessions. Skate rental is $1; if you have your own skates, there is a shoe check fee of 25 cents.

From December through March, the Great Lakes Science Center rolls out a 30- by 80-foot polymer ice rink set up in front of the facility that allows skaters great views from the shore of the great lake as they coast over the almost-ice surface. The rink carries a separate admission charge from the Center. Great Lakes Science Center is located at 601 Erieside Ave (at North Coast Harbor) right in downtown Cleveland. For more information, call 216/694-2000 or visit www.glsc.org

Cleveland's University Circle now has a rink at Wade Oval, an environmentally friendly faux ice surface composed of a silicone-based polymer that looks and feels like ice without the slush or cracking of the real thing. The Rink at Wade Oval is also available as a location for private parties. For more information call 216/707-5035 or visit www.universitycircle.org.

Looking for a hill to go sledding? Try some of these spots:

Kauffmann Park: Behind the Drug Mart Plaza, where Arthur Avenue comes to a stop north of Detroit Avenue, is a good beginner hill. Lakewood as a whole slopes from south to north, with the biggest dip coming between Detroit and the railroad tracks.

Linden Park: Rocky River has a sledding hill in the city park across from the eastern entrance of Kohl‘s. Directly across from Lutheran West High School, the park can be reached from Linden Avenue, off Center Ridge. The hill is steep enough to thrill the bigger kids, and gentle enough (on the sides), to allow a toddler to go down alone.

The Cleveland Metroparks: Possibilities abound for sledding in all the Metroparks reservations. Closest sites to Lakewood include Big Creek Reservation, Memphis Picnic Area (just south of Memphis Kiddie Park), Big Met and Little Met golf courses, and the sledding hill at Huntington Reservation in Bay Village. For information on winter recreation in the Metroparks, call 351-6300 or visit online at www.clevelandmetroparks.com.

Edgewater Park on Lake Erie has a hill that is sure to thrill bigger kids of any age. Edgewater borders the eastern edge of Lakewood in Cleveland at 8701 Lakeshore Blvd., 216/881-8141. More information is available at www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/parks/clevelkf/tabid/721/Default.aspx

The Chalet in Mill Stream Run Reservation offers the thrill of tobogganing; the chalet is located on Valley Parkway between Routes 42 and 82 in Strongsville. Two 1,000-foot refrigerated ice chutes operate with or without snow the day after Thanksgiving through the first weekend in March, weather permitting. In addition to tobogganing, guests can enjoy the snack bar, two fireplaces, a large-screen television, indoor restrooms, and a main gathering area. For more information visit www.clemetparks.com/recreation/tobogganing/ or call 440/572-9990.

Located due east of Cleveland in Chesterland, Alpine Valley has 11 trails and 72 acres of skiable terrain. Alpine also boasts an extreme park for snowboarding. Facilities include a ski school, lounge and clubhouse, and a ski shop. Alpine Valley is located at 10620 Mayfield Rd., Chesterland. Call 440/285-2211 or visit www.alpinevalleyohio.com for additional information.

The 79-acre Boston Mills, with adjacent Brandywine Ski Resort, is located in the heart of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Featuring the steepest ski slope in Ohio, Boston Mills also offers a clubhouse with food service, restrooms, and a large wood-burning fireplace. Boston Mills Ski Area is located at 7100 Riverview Road, Peninsula. Brandywine is located at 1146 W Highland Road, Sagamore Hills. For more information, call 1-800-875-4241 or visit www.bmbw.com.

Mansfield's Snow Trails Ski Area, located about 1 1/2 hours south of downtown Cleveland has 50 acres of skiable terrain, all of which is lighted. The ski area boasts 13 trails, 7 lifts, and a 300 foot vertical drop. Facilities include a snowsports learning center, a tubing park, children's programs seven days a week, a ski shop, and two restaurants. Snow Trails Ski Area is located at 3100 Possum Run Rd. in Mansfield. Call 1-800-OHIO-Ski or visit www.snowtrails.com for more information.

The Lake County Metroparks offers two scenic areas in which to enjoy skiing cross-country. Chapin Forest Reservation at 10090 Chillicothe Rd. (route 306), Kirtland features 5.3 miles of ski trails and is known for impressive rock formations. Their Pine Lodge Ski Center offers rentals and lessons from November 15 to March 15, weather permitting. Girdled Road Reservation located at 12898 Girdled Rd. and 12899 Radcliffe Rd., Concord Township offers five miles of groomed trails. See www.lakemetroparks.com for further information about either location.

Malabar Farms State Park, located just outside of Mansfield, offers 10 miles of trails, a ski rental shop, ski workshops, and tours of the farm. For more information, visit www.malabarfarm.org.

Kendall Lake Winter Sports Center is a historic and rustic structure, offering a picturesque setting in which to warm up and relax after outdoor fun. Hours vary, but are generally Monday-Friday 10 am-4 pm, Saturday and Sunday noon-5 pm. Snowshoes are available for $5 whenever the center is open. Cross-country skis are available for $7.50 for three hours, $15 for a full day if trails permit. When conditions allow, ice skates are available for $3. Sledding and tubing areas and cross-country ski trails are within easy reach of the center. Located in the Kendall Hills area of the Cuyahoga Valley, on Truxell Road between Akron-Cleveland and Akron-Peninsula roads. For more information call 1-800-445-9667 or visit www.dayinthevalley.com/attractDetail.php?attrId=20.