Sometimes called “an island” as it is surrounded by the city of Cleveland on three sides and the lake to the north, Bratenahl features tree-lined streets with sidewalks but because the village has no commercial buildings, walks are recreational and not to a destination. It’s a good choice for those who want to live near the lake and want easy access to downtown. However, because the city of Cleveland annexed Bratenahl’s schools in the 1970’s, the village tends to attract empty nesters or parents who use private/charter schools, so there are fewer children in this suburb. The Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve, an 88-acre public park formerly used as a clean dump site from Cuyahoga River dredging was dedicated in 2013 and provides a great vantage point to view the lake, city skyline and the migrating birds at the far west end of the village.