Sunday, April 26, 2015
Today we took our own Cherry Blossom Stroll through the Brookside Reservation, part of the Cleveland Metroparks system.
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| John Nagy Boulevard is lined with cherry trees |
The Japanese Association of Northeast Ohio (JANO) generously donated over 100 Yoshino cherry trees; the first were planted in the 1990s and others were added over time.
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| Donation marker in the Cherry Grove |
JANO also plants trees in other locations in Northeast Ohio, as part of their "Sakura for the Earth" project, not only to foster friendship with their neighbors, but also to improve the environment as the trees absorb carbon dioxide and provide oxygen.
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| Cherry blossoms |
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| Yoshino cherry blossoms |
When the blossom of a cherry tree has reached its full bloom it lets go completely and cleanly from the tree. The samurai of Japan used the cherry blossom as a metaphor for the idea of embracing not only life but death. They were ready to die if need be, while appreciating life as a precious, though ephemeral, gift. Therefore the falling rain of cherry blossoms as they let go of life holds a poignant beauty. (Judy MacKeigan, Cleveland Metroparks Historian)
We continued along the trail that slowly climbed a ridge, and found ponds at the higher elevation.
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| Typha sp/Cat Tails with burst seed pods |
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| Looking down off the ridge (on athletic fields) |
We climbed down from the ridge next to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, and crossed a stream to more athletic fields.
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| Big Creek |
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| Several flag football games were in progress |
We returned to the car near the Cherry Grove.
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| A little political "dig" |
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| Japanese-Americans enjoy a picnic in the Cherry Grove |
We drove to Ohio City for lunch, but the restaurant we intended to visit was booked, so we headed home.
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Carnegie West Library (1910)
designed by Edward Tilton in modified Renaissance style |
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Balcony with Ohio City flag
in the Jennings Building (1914) |
