BEREA, Ohio — I wrote about the Coe Lake Treehouse shortly after Zerbe Construction Co. broke ground for it in March and again following a first look a couple of weeks before the ribbon was cut on July 16 — opening the $700,000 project to the public. My prediction was that the woodsy structure, designed by CT Consultants , comprised of a 30-foot-by-15-foot deck covered by a shingled roof, and a secondary deck measuring 8 feet by 10 feet would be a big hit with the public.
It is, and has been, from the start. An audience of onlookers estimated at 200 hundred showed up for the ribbon cutting, and the tree house has been a major focal point at Coe Lake every day since. For starters, it just looks so attractive - blending right into the grove of pin oaks and silver maples.
The rambling structure encompasses 3,000 square feet on several separate platforms, including the main treehouse flanked on the north by a stand-alone, tree-hugging platform accessible by way of a rope bridge. It’s a rustic and beautiful structure, blending seamlessly with the nearby John Mucklo Playground, the Dave Tressel Memorial swimming pool, and the children’s zip line. The views from the Treehouse main decks provide visitors with a breathtaking panoramic view of the lake, amphitheater, and summer concert area.
The Tree house is accessible to the general public by stairway or electric lift for the physically disabled. Then, there’s the rope bridge linking the main treehouse with a tree-hugging platform nearby. It’s a favorite of just about everyone who visits.
An added attraction is that the bridge is intended to have some give and sway, adding a thrill factor, and making it fun for the youngsters in particular. They enjoy bouncing up and down on it and dashing across, full speed ahead. “The bridge is intended to have some give and sway,” said CT Consultants spokeswoman Megan Dougherty.
“It’s manufactured by a company that designs and engineers these types of bridges for all kinds of construction, and is intended to have some give and sway,” Dougherty said, explaining that the bridge is supported by three 1/2-inch cables, each with a capacity to support 24,000 pounds. The Treehouse project was funded by grants from Cuyahoga County plus a $30,000 donation from the Berea Kiwanis Club for naming rights. Pantry has a new home: The Berea Community outreach office has moved and is now serving from St.
Paul’s Church, 276 East Bagley Road (at the corner of Bagley and Eastland Roads). “We still serve eligible Berea residents once a month, and the pantry is open from 11:30 a.m.
to 4 p.m. every Thursday,” said spokeswoman Natalie Guzzo.
Vets bonus: Veterans who served on active duty for over 90 days from October 7, 2021, to August 30, 2023, may be eligible for the Ohio Veterans Bonus of up to $1,500. This applies to those who served in Afghanistan and elsewhere. To apply, visit mybonus.
ohio.gov or call 877-644-6838. County fairs: The Cuyahoga County Fair is Aug.
6-11. Active-duty military personnel with valid IDs are admitted free every day. The Medina County Fair begins Monday and runs through Aug.
4. Veterans are admitted free on Monday with a valid ID. Vets picnic: A Veterans picnic will be from 5-7 p.
m.Aug. 7 (National Purple Heart Day) at the Kiwanis Pavilion at Coe Lake Park.
A meal ticket at $5 per person is required. Call 440-822-3312, or email [email protected] .
Guitars 4 Veterans will provide music for this event. BBQ will be provided by 4 Seasons Catering. Berea Community Outreach Pantry: Is Now located at 276 East Bagley Road, (St.
Paul’s Lutheran Church, at the corner Bagley and Eastland Roads), (440) 826-489, or email: [email protected] . Drive-up service only.
Open 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.
m. Thursdays. FOR BEREA RESIDENTS ONLY.
SCAN Hunger Center Pantry: 398 W. Bagley Road, Williamsport Plaza, (440) 260-7226. Open 10 a.
m. to 2 p.m.
on the second Friday of the month and 4-7 p.m. on the fourth Friday.
People’s Community Church Pantry : 628 Wesley Drive, 440) 234-0609. Open 10 a.m.
to noon on the third Saturday of the month. Second Mile Outreach Pantry: 1480 Bagley Road, (440) 239-0549. Open noon to 2 p.
m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The next pantry is on Aug.
17. St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church Food Pantry: 8888 Prospect Road.
9:30-11 a.m. on the second Saturday of every month.
Fresh food, staples and toiletries. The next pantry is on Aug. 10.
Bread Ministry: Berea United Methodist Church, 170 Seminary St., (440) 234-3525. Bread and pastries only.
Noon – 2 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday.
Go to church addition on the north side of church off Seminary. Pantry is through double brown doors. Rise in Love: A free hot meal on the third Sunday of the month, 2-4 p.
m., Keller Center, St. Adalbert Catholic Church, 66 Adalbert St.
, Eat-in or Carry-Out. The next meal is on August 18. Free Community Meal: St.
Paul Lutheran Church, 276 E. Bagley Road, served twice a month, 5-5:30 p.m.
, on the second Wednesday and last Wednesday of the month. Drive-up only. The next meal is on Wednesday and then on Aug.
14. Mobile Food Pantry: Brook Park Branch Library, 6155 Engle Road, 2-3:30 p.m.
, Oct. 25; fresh produce distribution in collaboration with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. First-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
Pet Food Pantry: Animal Rescue Friends, 10015 E. River Road, Columbia Station, 10 a.m.
to noon the second and fourth Sundays of every month. Visit www.bereaanimalrescue.
com or call (440) 234-2034 for more information or to donate. Little Free Pantries: Are located near the Berea Branch Library and People’s Community Church. The Prospect Pantry is at the corner of Prospect Street and Jacqueline Drive.
St. Paul Lutheran Church has a food donation box located near the side door. Non-perishable items only, please.
The Pet Pantry: operated by Animal Rescue Friends is in need of donations of dry dog and cat food. The pantry supplies free pet food to families in need. In 2023, the pantry served more than 100 families each month, and that includes 100 dogs and 100 cats.
The pantry is stocked strictly by way of donations, and it is open the second and forth Sundays of the month at the ARF facility 10015 East River Road in Columbia Station (drop off donations in the cart on the front porch)..
