Rocky River Reservation is a stop on the Lake Erie Birding Trail.

Born in 1835, Washington S. Tyler was one of Cleveland’s most successful businessmen and founder of the Tyler Company, a pioneer in the introduction of wire specialties. Tyler Barn was part of the family summer residence, known as Woodside, a country estate overlooking the Rocky River Valley. In 1921, a 75-acre parcel was donated to Cleveland Metroparks to help establish the Park District.

Rocky River Reservation is located in Berea, Brook Park, Cleveland, Fairview Park, Lakewood, North Olmsted, Olmsted Township, and Rocky River. The first land purchased for Cleveland Metroparks can be seen from the Stinchcomb-Groth Memorial.

The character of the reservation is strongly influenced by the Rocky River. 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 Rocky River Nature Center to learn more. The reservation includes three golf courses: Big Met, Little Met, and Mastick Woods.

The Rocky River Valley was settled early in this area’s history and reflects many of the sights common to the first settlers. Frostville Museum, an affiliate of Cleveland Metroparks, illustrates how the 1800s settlers lived and worked in the Rocky River Valley.