North Chagrin Reservation in Willoughby Hills draws with its short hikes

One Mayfield Heights resident and her pleasant pup, Tank — also known as Frank — took to a trail June 6 at Cleveland Metroparks’ North Chagrin Reservation to enjoy the sun and the breeze as temperatures hung around the mid-60s, under partially cloudy skies, with low humidity.

Leila Jugo said she and her well-mannered, 3-year-old American Staffordshire terrier/pit bull terrier mix pup come often to the park — about once a week — and do a short circuit to get a little exercise and give Tank a chance to sniff around a little and watch the geese.

“He loves looking at the geese. He’s scared of them. But he likes looking at them,”Jugo said as the pair took a break under a shady tree just before walking on to the wooded observation deck along the park’s 0.4-mile Sanctuary Marsh Loop Trail.

She said they like to frequent a number of area parks, like Squire’s Castle, where she and Tank often hike the short loop just behind the gatehouse, itself. She said they also like to visit the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Peninsula.

Jugo added that they like North Chagrin Reservation so much because there are plenty of short hikes that are ideal for the walks she and Tank like to take together. Plus, she said, there are numerous attractive views, providing a nice variety of sight-seeing opportunities.

“Some other parks can be kind of boring. But, here, there are a lot of different views and a lot of places to sit,” she said. “Plus, they have doggie bags here to pick up after your pup. I mean, I always bring my own, just in case. But it’s nice that they have that convenience.”

Jugo said she and Tank have been together about six months since she adopted him from the Lake Humane Society.