CLEVELAND — Ohio is one of the best places to experience April's total solar eclipse, and events will be held at more than a dozen state parks. One park in northeast Ohio will make sure people with disabilities can take in the historic event as well.

What You Need To Know

  • Ohio has not been in the path of totality for a solar eclipse since 1806 
  • Lindsay Deering works at Headlands Beach State Park and will provide activities to ensure that people with disabilities can enjoy the eclipse
  • One of the activities the park will hold will allow people with visual impairments to focus on the sounds of the eclipse

Lindsay Deering works for the Headlands Beach State Park in Lake County. It’s a 35-acre Lake Erie beach that provides outdoor opportunities during the warmer months. But on April 8, Deering will facilitate the solar eclipse watch party, passing out special glasses to visitors. Deering said they’re also looking forward to helping those with disabilities enjoy the eclipse.

“We will be using a light-sound device at all of our locations within the path of totality where people that have blindness or low vision will be able to actually hear the eclipse,” she said.

Deering said this is something she had been preparing for a while.

“The last total solar eclipse that was seen in Ohio was in 1806,” she said. “The next one won’t be until 2099. This is so exciting for us. I’m a science person at heart. Many of the people who work at our parks division are really into nature and the outdoors, so this is such a special moment for us.”

Deering said she’s expecting a big turnout.

“We’re expecting a full house for this eclipse,” she said. “When we tell people to come early and be prepared to stay a little later after the eclipse because traffic is probably going to be a pretty busy.”

But with all the hype for the eclipse watch party, Deering said Ohio state parks are going above and beyond. There will also be night hikes and classes on nocturnal animal science and the science of the eclipse. While Deering will work the day of the eclipse, she will also take in this once in a lifetime moment.

“I get to be at one of our state parks to enjoy the eclipse with all of our guests and I think it’s going to be a magical time,” she said. “I’m excited to see how the crowd is going to react to the complete darkness and I can’t wait to make some memories myself.”

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has launched a “Total Eclipse of the Park“ webpage where you can find more information about programming and camping at more than a dozen state parks in the path of totality.