Projects at Cuyahoga Valley National Park this summer are aimed at improving the health of the Cuyahoga River/NPS

Though this year marks the 50th anniversary of the envionmental recovery of the Cuyahoga River in Ohio, there's still much work to do to improve the river that flows through Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Known for catching fire in 1969, the Cuyahoga River is now sparking excitement throughout the region and becoming an iconic symbol of renewal. Spanning 22 miles of the river between Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park has and will play an integral role in the river’s recovery.

Park staff is working alongside stakeholders throughout northeast Ohio to change the narrative about the region and its river from a story of pollution and decay to a story of revival and vibrancy. To play a part in improving the health of the watershed, the national park staff is embarking on a number of large-scale restoration projects this year. Projects will include the removal of the Brecksville dam, stream and river floodplain restoration projects, improving the watered portion of the Ohio & Erie Canal, and storm water management, among others. 

One unavoidable impact of this restoration effort along the river will be on the park’s Special Park Uses Program. Beginning in 2019, Cuyahoga Valley National Park will place a temporary hold on special park uses permits for events on the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail between Station Road Trailhead in Brecksville and Lock 29 Trailhead in Peninsula. This will include the entire vicinity of Station Road Bridge Trailhead and Boston Store. This temporary hold will last until December 31, 2021. This hold is only on event permits and does not constitute a full closure of the Towpath Trail to public use.

The restoration projects will result in occasional short-term closures to public use of the Towpath Trail in specific areas. The National Park Service is working to finalize dates for the projects. However, at this time, the agency is unable to predict when the short-term closures will occur.  

“We realize these actions will have short-term impacts on visitors throughout the next few years, but we are keeping our eye on the big picture,' said Cuyahoga Superintendent Craig Kenkel. "These projects will have positive lasting effects on the health of the Cuyahoga River and the park’s infrastructure and those advances benefit all visitors to the Cuyahoga Valley."