Introduction
The Towpath Trail
The Towpath Trail has become a defining feature in the Cuyahoga Valley landscape. Constructed almost 175 years ago as part of the Ohio & Erie Canal, it was a simple dirt path on which to lead animals pulling canal boats. When the economically unprofitable canal finally ceased to be used after a 1913 flood, the towpath survived as a silent witness to an earlier era.The rediscovery of the towpath began with the establishment of the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area (CVNRA) as a unit of the National Park Service in 1974. Initially, the towpath hosted hikers. By the early 1990's, the CVNRA had improved the towpath into a multipurpose trail. Today, almost two million people a year explore the Cuyahoga Valley on the CVNRA towpath, linking heritage education with recreational opportunities.The success of this 20-mile segment of towpath has sparked a campaign to extend the towpath trail to approximately 100 miles, so that it will be a continuous journey through the entire length of the Ohio & Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor from Cleveland to New Philadelphia. Currently, about one-half of the towpath trail is in place or funded.
Reason to Be Selected
Cleveland Lakefront Bikeway
The entire project consists of a bikeway linking Wildwood Park on the east side of Cleveland with Edgewater Park on the west side of Cleveland. The east portion, covering about ten miles from Wildwood Park to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, is open. The west portion, extending about four miles from the Hallof Fame to Edgewater Park, is currently in the planning stage. It is anticipated that the Lakefront Bikeway would cross the Cuyahoga River on the Center Street Bridge. The east bank approach to this river crossing would be adjacent to the proposed Canal Basin Park, which is the end point for the proposed Towpath Trail route. The planning process of the Canal Basin Park should ensure that these two bikeways have a well-defined connection.City of Cleveland Bikeway Master Plan
The Cleveland City Planning Commission maintains and updates, on an ongoing basis, a citywide map of preferred bikeways. As part of the Towpath Trail study, Cleveland City Planning Commission staff worked with Cuyahoga County Planning Commission staff to adjust and confirm the City of Cleveland routes to ensure appropriate connections to the Towpath Trail for both west side and east side neighborhoods. Due to the fact that the Towpath Trail route is almost entirely on the west side of the Cuyahoga River, particular attention was devoted to ensuring that east side neighborhoods have satisfactory access.EnvironmentMany urban settings have poor environmental quality due to decades of industrial land use. Trails and greenways can be a catalyst to restore environmental quality and promote the rediscovery of natural areas. For example, trails can improve air quality by providing an alternative mode of transportation, as well as increased vegetation. Trails can also improve water quality and rejuvenate ecosystems through responsible creation of a green corridor coupled with other development initiatives. Denver, Colorado's Platte River Greenway is an example of the positive impact of a greenway on a neglected environmental setting.Culture and HistoryAll of the objects in the man-made environment, such as houses, stores, factories, churches, cemeteries, bridges, and roads, tell the story of a community. Greenways and trails can be perfectly suited to provide access to these locations, objects, and structures. In particular, if a greenway is a separate route from the current street network, it may offer physical access unavailable until now, or present an uncommon interpretive opportunity. In addition, a greenway can encourage preservation of cultural and historic resources by drawing attention to them and their importance. The Towpath Trail in the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area is a fine example of preservation and interpretation of cultural heritage. For example, the towpath can be used to tell the history and impact of the Ohio & Erie Canal, and as a starting point of discussion for diverse topics such as stone quarrying, farmhouse architecture, canal boat building, and railroad history, all of which can be garnered from the structures and objects in the valley.Trails and greenways are important factors that can contribute to the overall success of a community and region. The development of the Towpath Trail has an opportunity to bring these benefits here.
| Lat: | 41.4533 |
| Lng: | -81.673 |
| Type: | |
| Region: | NorthAmerica |
| Scale: | District |
| Field: | Facility |
| City: | Cleveland |