If you live anywhere near the west side of Cleveland, you’ve heard about them. Or you’ve seen the Instagram photos—those concrete tiers stretching toward the horizon while the sun dips into Lake Erie, painting the sky in shades of neon orange and bruised purple. But the Lakewood Park Solstice Steps aren't just a place to snap a selfie. Honestly, they’re a weirdly successful experiment in how to actually fix a shoreline.
Most cities just dump a bunch of jagged rocks (riprap, if we’re being technical) along the water to stop erosion. It's ugly. It’s functional, but it keeps people away. Lakewood did something different. They took a crumbling hillside and turned it into a giant, concrete amphitheater where the only show is the weather.
What the Solstice Steps Actually Are (And Why They Matter)
Basically, it's a massive staircase to nowhere.
Completed back in late 2015, the project cost about $2 million. That sounds like a lot for "fancy stairs," but you have to look at what was there before. The cliff was literally falling into the lake. By building these four levels of concrete tiers—roughly 480 feet of shoreline—the city managed to stabilize the earth while creating a public space that feels more like an ancient ruin or a Greek theater than a park improvement project.
The design is pretty clever. The steps face northwest. Why? Because that’s exactly where the sun sets during the Summer Solstice. That’s the "hook," but the reality is that the steps are packed nearly every night from May through October.
You’ll see a guy playing a cello at one end, a couple sharing a pizza in the middle, and someone else doing yoga at the top. It’s quiet, mostly. People whisper. It’s one of the few places in the suburbs where the "hustle" just kinda stops.
The Physics of the View
There is a bit of science involved here, though it’s hidden under the aesthetics. The steps are made of precast concrete blocks, which are incredibly durable against the brutal freeze-thaw cycles of Northeast Ohio. If you look closely at the "treads" of the steps, they aren't perfectly flat; they’re designed to shed water and withstand the massive ice shoves that Lake Erie produces in February.
The Lake Erie "Seiche" effect—where wind pushes water from one end of the lake to the other—can cause the water levels at Lakewood Park to rise several feet in a short time. The Solstice Steps were engineered to handle that pressure. They act as a breakwater, absorbing the energy of the waves so the rest of the park doesn't wash away.
The Best Time to Visit (It’s Not Always When You Think)
Everyone tells you to go at sunset. They aren’t wrong. But if you want the "real" experience, try going on a Tuesday morning at 7:00 AM.
When the park is empty, you can hear the lake breathe. The way the concrete tiers are shaped actually amplifies the sound of the water hitting the lower levels. It’s a natural white noise machine.
Then there’s the "Golden Hour." This is about 45 minutes before the sun actually disappears. The light hits the white concrete and reflects back onto people's faces, creating this weird, ethereal glow. It’s a photographer’s dream, which is why you’ll likely trip over at least three wedding photographers if you go on a Saturday in June.
- Pro Tip: If the parking lot at the front of Lakewood Park looks full, don't give up. The park is 31 acres. Most people circle the front like vultures, but there’s usually a spot near the back by the pool if you’re willing to walk five minutes.
- Weather Watch: If the wind is coming from the North at more than 15 mph, bring a jacket. Even if it’s 80 degrees in the parking lot, it’ll be 10 degrees cooler on those steps. The lake is a giant air conditioner that doesn't care about your outfit.
Why People Get Obsessed With This Spot
It’s about the scale. Lake Erie is huge. It feels like an ocean because you can’t see the other side. When you sit on the steps, your field of vision is almost 180 degrees of nothing but blue and grey.
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Psychologists often talk about "Blue Space"—the idea that being near water significantly drops your cortisol levels. The Solstice Steps are basically a giant, public dose of anti-anxiety meds.
There's also a community aspect that’s hard to find elsewhere. In a world where everyone is glued to a screen, the steps force you to look at the horizon. You’re sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers, all looking at the same thing. There’s no "show" to talk over. No music playing from speakers (usually). Just the lake.
Common Misconceptions
People think you can swim here. You can't. The water at the base of the steps is deep, rocky, and the currents are surprisingly strong. There’s a fence at the bottom for a reason. If you want to get your feet wet, you have to head over to the beach area further down the path.
Another thing? It’s not just for the summer.
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Winter at the Solstice Steps is haunting. The lake freezes into these jagged, blue-white shards that look like Superman’s Fortress of Solitude. The wind will bite your face off, but the visual of the sun hitting the ice is arguably better than any summer sunset. Just wear thermal socks. Seriously.
Practical Advice for Your Visit
If you're planning to head down there, keep a few things in mind. The park closes at 10:00 PM. The police are pretty chill but they will start clearing the area once it gets dark.
- Bring a blanket or a cushion. Concrete is hard. It’s also cold or hot depending on the time of day. Your lower back will thank you after twenty minutes of sitting.
- The "Third Tier" is the sweet spot. The bottom tier gets spray if the lake is choppy. The top tier has people walking behind you constantly. The third one down gives you the best unobstructed view while keeping you dry.
- Dogs are welcome, but be smart. The steps get crowded. If your dog isn't great with crowds or other dogs, the narrow tiers are going to be a nightmare for you.
- Walk the Solstice Trail. Don't just sit. There's a winding path that leads up to the steps through native plantings and grasses. It’s part of the experience.
The Future of the Shoreline
The success of the Lakewood Park Solstice Steps has actually changed how other Great Lakes cities look at their waterfronts. We're seeing more "living shorelines" being proposed in places like Cleveland’s East Side and even up in Detroit.
It proved that you can solve a boring civil engineering problem—erosion—with something that actually makes people’s lives better. It’s a rare win-win.
If you haven't been, just go. Don't overthink it. Don't wait for the "perfect" day. Even on a cloudy day, the grey-on-grey of the sky meeting the water is worth the drive.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the Sunset Time: Use a basic weather app to see exactly when the sun goes down, then arrive at least 45 minutes early to secure a good spot.
- Pack Light: It’s a bit of a hike from the parking lot to the North end of the park where the steps are located. A heavy cooler is a mistake you only make once.
- Explore the Rest of the Park: Before you settle in, check out the Veterans Memorial or the massive playground if you have kids. The park is a loop; start at the South end and work your way toward the water.
- Respect the Quiet: Most people are there for some peace. Keep the volume down and just enjoy the fact that for a few minutes, you don't have to do anything but watch the earth spin.