The Blazing Paddles Paddlefest is not immune to one of Cleveland’s favorite urban planning subjects - PARKING! With no on-site parking at Rivergate Park, Cleveland Metroparks Merwin’s Wharf, or Cleveland Rowing Foundation, some out-of-town paddlers traveling to Cleveland may be slightly challenged finding free parking on the Columbus Rd. Peninsula. Here is a quick primer to give you a local’s lay of the land: Click on each image for the Google Maps link.

One blind spot we were reminded of during last year’s check-in was an obligation to provide accessible parking for those who could truly benefit from that. If you have a need for accessible parking, please come to Merwin’s Wharf and we will accommodate you.

There are a LOT of parking spaces on the side roads (French, British and Fall Streets) to the west of Columbus Rd. Just across the river is a small lot that services customers of one of our bib passports partner, Hoopples Riverbed Cafe, so try to find parking on the Rivergate Park side of the river.

Back across the river, a little further down Columbus Road there are LOTs of sideroads with street parking. This is the view down French St. and as you can see, quite a few cars can fit on this street!

Your best bet for available and cheap (maybe even free?) parking is near the Canal Basin Park lot off of West St.

You can also choose to pay market rate at the parking lot adjacent to The Foundry that’s across the street from another Blazing Paddles bib passport partner, Sainato’s at Rivergate. We understand convenience, however there is plenty of free parking nearby. You just have to look for it.

Happy hunting and we’ll see you tomorrow morning!

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