CanalWay Center — Attraction in Cuyahoga Heights

Just had an absolutely horrid experience with the staff here. We had our unschooling coop here today (several families with kids from 1yr to 11 were with us). One of the kids dropped a (toy) potato on the floor and began walking away. Joann yelled at him for not picking it up right away. She claimed the kids weren't following the rules and deserved to be yelled at for it. Zero communication with the kids. Zero communication with the parents. We'reliterally the only people here the entire time and she's yelling at kids about a potato on the floor. Alex (Joanns boss?) kept saying that they have standards that need to be followed and that kids can't play (despite calling 2 locations "play areas") here. Again, zero communication or relaying any "rules" to kids or the adults. No kids breaking anything, disrupting any guests (there werent any anyway). Just zero to yelling "HELLO!!! PICK UP THE POTATO!!!" at a child.

We were here a few weeks ago (same group), and stayed and cleaned the place, including sweeping and vacuuming, so the staff member could leave right at closing. We take care of the places we are and always leave it cleaner than we find it. Every place we go welcomes us and thanks us when we leave. This place, today, left an absolutely disgusting taste in my mouth and don't think we'll be...

The CanalWay Center is part of the Cleveland Metroparks. This is a great place to go for a walk, have a picnic, or just relax. At the nature center there are some displays that kids will enjoy with some live animals and a bird watching area.

Behind the center is a path that is part of the Ohio-Erie Canal Towpath trail. This paved path is well-maintained and is a great walk. Heading north you will see oil tanks across the way from BP and static displays from their other neighbor Alcoa. Heading south you could walk all the way to New Philadelphia if you really so inclined, but that would take a bit of time. Though no matter how far you do walk, it is quite beautiful...

Canal way center has exhibits of local wildlife and interactive things for kids to do. The outside has labled gardens and a little pond. There are tons of trails to chose from. From bike trails to the off beaten paths. The blue heron boardwalk is really neat. Check it out if you come here. It is wooden planks that extend into Marsh lands. It looks like you are walking in the middle of Lilly pad heaven. You will see alot of frogs and turtles. Please do not try to catch them though. Oils in our skin are harmful to them and can kill them so just look! You can even see the blue huron! There is a lot to do and you can make a whole day out of exploring the center...