Lakewood Is A Finalist For Best Place To Raise Your Family Award

LAKEWOOD, OH — For a second straight year, Lakewood has been named a finalist in Northeast Ohio Parent's search for the "Best Place to Raise a Family."

The publication's annual Northeast Ohio Parent Choice Awards includes several categories. The most important one for Lakewood residents is "Best Place to Raise a Family." Suburban Lakewood is again a finalist for the title.

Last year, Lakewood lost out to neighboring Rocky River and Hudson. Lakewood settled for an honorable mention.

This year, for the 2019 awards, Lakewood is again nominated as a finalist. Voters will decide which cities claim the title of "Best Place to Raise a Family" when voting opens on April 29. Voting will remain open until May 17, according to Northeast Ohio Parent.

Voters will cast their ballot on the Northeast Ohio Parent website.

Here are the other categories that voters can decide:

• Best ice cream shop
• Best candy store
• Best museum
• Best live theater experience for kids
• Best park or playground
• Best place to explore nature
• Best water park
• Best family beach
• Best family sports outing (location/team)
• Best place to take energetic kids/best play area
• Best animal encounter
• Best place for tween/teen adventure
• Best sensory-friendly outing
• Best Ohio staycation destination
• Best thrift/consignment for children’s clothing
• Best bike shop
• Best store to buy children’s books
• Best toy store
• Best kid-friendly shopping area
• Best library branch
• Best place for kids’ swim lessons
• Best dance studio
• Best children’s music class/activity
• Best place to have a birthday party
• Best place for a kid’s haircut
• Best emergency room/after hours clinic to take your kids
• Best family dentist/dental center
• Best pediatrician
• Best pregnancy/postpartum care for moms and families
• Best place for family-friendly fitness
• Best place for families to volunteer
• Best place to find a babysitter/child care