North Chagrin Nature Center — Attraction in Mayfield

This nature center and surrounding park is one of my favorite places to go. The nature center itself is very nice. It's a pretty big building with a gift shop, dedicated kids area, conference hall, small library, and bird viewing areas.

It's great for kids. They have tons of activities there for them to do, usually seasonal, so you should check in advance, but besides that there's a dedicated kid's area with some toys and things to play with. There's also various live animals and taxidermy specimens to look at along with educational plaques and even sensory things to learn from.

Sometimes, they have a small library room open, and in there are some more animals, a bunch of houseplants, pictures of native plants and animals, a table and chairs, and a decent collection of educational books including field guides and similar things. When that room is open, you also get access to a balcony where you can watch birds and see some of the pond.

The gift shop is really nice, too. They always have snacks available, clothes, jewelry, and other things.

The nature center is wheelchair accessible as far as I'm aware. One entrance is only accessible via stairs, but there's an entrance on the other side that has 0 stairs and also has doors with an opening button. I'm not sure about bathroom accessibility. The inside itself is decently accessible. Some areas are small to get into even as an abled person, so I'm not sure how it'd work with a wheelchair or other mobility device. The surrounding park around the pond is accessible, with mostly pathed paths and no stairs, including...

It was our first real visit to North Chagrin Reservation and we like it very much! We entered Park from S.O.M Center by Sunset Ln. and went southward along Buttermilk Falls Pkwy toward North Chagrin Nature Center as we decided to visit it first in order to get a Park map and some advice about trails and bird watching (which we get from very helpful and friendly staff). There are stuffed animals of Nothern Ohio inside the Nature Center, and you could sit on the deck and enjoy the view of Sanctuary Mash (a grey heron, redwinged black birds and a lot of other birds). Learning Center is the place nearby, where you can enjoy watching different kinds of birds at the birdfeeders and learn their names. And there is the Aviary - huge cages with different kinds of owls, living in them. Our first visit ended after using Sanctuary Mash Loop Trail. Perfect day, and we looking forward to other visits and further explorations of this huge North Chagrin...

North Chagrin is an awesome place to visit. Unlimited walking trails. Multiple small lakes, lots of kid activities including baseball diamonds (be sure to sign up for their monthly newsletter of all activities - my favorite is their dog walks), excellent gift store, friendly people. Be careful not to get lost going between Squires Castle and the Nature Center, if you try that trail. I can't tell you how many times I've helped people get back to their car once they get lost and are too tired to trek back. They even have real live owls outside to see, and a par course for exercise if walking isn't enough. This place is so peaceful and healing. Be sure to clean up...