One of the city's oldest parks, Brookside Park was created in 1894 out of wooded lands surrounding Big Creek, located in the southwestern part of Cleveland. Brookside Park quickly became a center for recreation and sports, often featuring matches between city schools that attracted large crowds.
Although a good portion of Brookside Park was destroyed by the construction of I-71 in the 1960s , the remaining 135-acres are now owned by the Cleveland Metroparks and continue to be a major draw for sports players and gentle picnickers alike. An all-purpose trail joins the park to the adjacent Metroparks Zoo.
