Forest Hill Park & Nature Trails

Once you explore Forest Hill Park, you'll understand what John D. Rockefeller loved about this hilltop setting overlooking Cleveland. Stand on the site of the former Rockefeller home and you'll even catch a glimpse of Lake Erie in the distance. 

Forest Hill park is a 235-acre oasis located on the edge of the Appalachian Mountain foothills in East Cleveland and Cleveland Heights, OH. Overall, the park is about 40 percent forest and 45 percent meadow. The remainder has been developed for recreational activities.

The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, coyote, fox, birds, geese and, until recently, a swan made itself at home in the pond at the Historic Boathouse.

Walk across the meadow and through the wooded trails to catch a glimpse of the many wildflowers and other flora and fauna native to this area. Forest Hill Park was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.

Park visitors should be aware that Forest Hill Park is home to coyote. Although Forest Hill Park is not managed by Cleveland Metroparks, you can report a coyote sighting HERE.]

Forest Hill Park, Cleveland Heights

Located at 2370 Lee Blvd (at the corner of Lee and Monticello) Forest Hill Park is adjacent to the Cleveland Heights Community Center. For community events in the park, please visit the Cleveland Heights Parks & Recreation website.

Recreational facilities include:

• Four fenced and lighted ballfields

• Six lighted tennis courts;

• Playground (ages 5-12)

• Two picnic shelters (one picnic shelter is near the playground and the other double picnic shelter is near the tennis courts)

• Large multi-purpose field (one practice baseball/softball field is also on the multi-purpose field)

• All purpose pathway

• Nature trails

• Sledding hill

• Concession stand

• Restrooms

The other parking lot is located at Lee and Forest Hill Roads and is near the tennis courts and the double picnic shelter.

Playground

The large play unit is for ages 5-12, with a sandbox is next to the picnic shelter, and a set of swings.

Park & Trail Map (click)

The Forest Hill all-purpose pathway connects the East Cleveland and Cleveland Heights sections of the park. The Cleveland Heights border ends just past the fenced ball fields. The rest of the pathway is a part of the East Cleveland section. The Cleveland Heights section of the pathway is six-tenths of a mile. A new Emergency Call Box has been installed by the tennis courts and the multi-sports field. The box is a direct link to the Police Dispatch.

Forest Hill Park, East Cleveland

The parking lot for Forest Hill Park, East Cleveland, is located on Lee near Brewster (and the Forest Hill Historic District). East Cleveland Parks & Recreation oversees the East Cleveland, Forest Hill Park. You can reach Parks & Recreation @ 216-681-2410.

Recreational facilities include:

• Playground (ages 5-12)

• Picnic tables (and grills) throughout the park and a picnic shelter at the Rockefeller boathouse

• Large multi-purpose field

• Three baseball diamonds

• All purpose pathway

• Nature trails

• Casting pond at the Rockefeller boathouse (use of the pond for fly fishing practice is free and open to the public during park hours)

• Restrooms

• Near the Rockefeller boathouse is a unique public installation with an outdoor musical instrument playground. Suitable for all ages!

Friends of the Park

Cleveland Metroparks
Cleveland Metroparks strives to protect our natural world, while educating park users and allowing them to enjoy nature in a variety of ways.

East Cleveland Parks Association
The association’s mission is to restore and preserve Forest Hill Park and facilitate appropriate programming in the park for the benefit of the surrounding community.

Jack and Jill of America, Inc.
Jack and Jill is a membership organization of mothers with children ages 2-19, dedicated to nurturing future African-American leaders by strengthening children through leadership development, volunteer service, philanthropic giving and civic duty.