Carlisle Visitor Center Children's Play Space and Discovery Den

About this adventure

Carlisle Reservation in LaGrange is the largest of the Lorain County Metro Parks, with more than 11 miles of asphalt, gravel, dirt and grass trails through flood plain, meadow, forest and a 65-acre wetland. Inside the visitor center, the public side holds an indoor Children's Play Space, a colorful split-level playroom where little ones crawl, climb and explore, and the Discovery Den, with educational activities and a window onto native birds at the feeders. Next door, the park district's Raptor Center houses wild-hatched hawks, owls and vultures with permanent injuries that keep them from surviving in the wild; visitors are encouraged to come see these wildlife ambassadors up close. It makes a good rainy-day stop combined with a short trail walk. Note the center and trails close at noon on Halloween Fair days in October.