From Cleveland to New Philadelphia, find the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and the county park districts of Cuyahoga, Summit, Stark, and Tuscarawas counties all working together.
Check out Canal Fulton in Stark County for an opportunity to take a ride on a real canal boat! You'll experience the canal as the original travelers once did.
Cleveland Metroparks was established in 1917 to provide open spaces, recreation and outdoor education for the people of Greater Cleveland, as well as to conserve and preserve the natural valleys of the area.
Today, Cleveland Metroparks manages nearly 23,000 acres in 18 reservations, their connecting parkways and Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. It also manages 7.2 miles of Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. The Park District is commonly referred to as the “Emerald Necklace” because the reservations encircle the city of Cleveland.
Summit Metro Parks was established in 1921 with a mission to acquire, conserve and manage natural resources and to provide the public with safe, outdoor recreational and educational opportunities through a system of regional, natural-area parks.
Today, Summit Metro Parks manages 10,500 acres, including 14 developed parks, six conservation areas and more than 125 miles of trails — which encompasses 21.5 miles of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. Annual attendance averages 4.5 million visitors.
Visit the 10,000-square-foot visitors center at F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, a special park dedicated to the enjoyment and study of the natural world.
The Stark County Park District was formed in 1967 with a mission “to acquire, preserve and develop natural areas accessible to all residents of Stark County for purposes of passive recreation, conservation, education and outdoor nature appreciation.”
Today, Stark Parks manages one of the longest sections of the Towpath Trail in the National Heritage Area, along with more than 7,000 acres of land, 14 parks and 70-plus miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails.
The Congressman Ralph Regula Canalway Center exhibit hall — inside the Exploration Gateway at Sippo Lake Park — highlights the natural and cultural history of the Ohio & Erie Canalway. It’s also a place for canal explorers of all ages to learn more about the Canalway and canal-era history.
Stark Parks’ wildlife rehabilitation center, also at Sippo Lake Park, is a fully dedicated wildlife rehabilitation facility and is the only licensed Category 2 facility in Stark County. The staff cares for more than 2,000 injured and orphaned native wild animals each year and exceeds the national average release rate.
The Tuscarawas County commissioners officially created the Tuscarawas County Park Department in January 2004 with a mission “to preserve and interpret the agricultural, natural, cultural and recreational resources of Tuscarawas County.” To that end, the department is working toward developing a county-wide network of trails and parks.
The Tuscarawas County Canal Lands Committee oversees improvements to Canal Lands Park, which includes access to the Towpath Trail. Connected to this portion of the trail you also will find the Zoar Wetland Arboretum.
