The Ohio & Erie Canalway Association (OECA) has awarded $446,680 to 19 regional organizations for projects and programs within the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area, which includes Cuyahoga, Summit, Stark and Tuscarawas counties.

The Ohio & Erie Canalway Association funded the projects through its Strategic Initiative Program, a competitive grant program that funds organizations and political subdivisions that enhance the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area—which extends 110 miles from Cleveland to New Philadelphia, OH.

A diverse array of 2019 projects will receive funding to support the following initiatives: 

Corridor Wide:

• Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad: Renovation of Coach 6217, $15,000

Cuyahoga County:

• Western Reserve Historical Society/Hale Farm: Steeple restoration, $10,000
• Historic Gateway Neighborhood: Take a Hike Heritage Tourism program, $13,000
• Historic Warehouse District Development Corp: Creation of Lighthouse Park, $40,000
• LAND Studio Inc.: Design and plans for Hilltop Park, $23,000
• West Creek Conservancy: Create wayfinding & signage strategic plan for Cuyahoga Water River Trail (that runs 93-miles), $7,000
• Boys & Girls Club of Cleveland: Design and create signage that tells the story of the Nature Preserve (former Wollen Mill site), $46,230
• Canalway Partners: Develop design/engineering details and cost for Hulett Ore Unloaders concept Plan for interpretive setting alongside of Mather Ship, $50,000

Summit County:

• Summit County Historical Society: Work related to the John Brown House, $35,000
• Summit Metro Parks: Towpath Trail interpretation and fencing, $30,000
• Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park: Complete work related to the Stanford Trailhead construction project, $35,000
• Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition: Development of the Summit Lake Loop Trail which will connect to the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, $25,000

Stark County:

• City of Canal Fulton: New horse trailer for canal boat rides, $8,000

Tuscarawas County:

• Village of Zoar: The Zoar Connections Plan identifies the key recreational resources of Zoar, including the Towpath Trail, Zoar Wetland Arboretum, Lime Kiln Lake and Wilkshire Trail, $3,250
• Zoar Community Association: Creation and installation of Fort Laurens storyboards, $6,200
• Historic Canal Dover Association: Dover Downtown and Riverfront revitalization and master plan, $5,000
• Lawrence Township Trustees: Purchase a Lawrence Township Steiner, $10,000
• City of Dover: Canal Dover Park, Wooster Ave. access engineering, $31,000
• Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition: McDonnell to Bolivar Towpath construction, $50,000
• City of New Philadelphia; East High Trail connectivity plan, $4,000

OECA operates as a regional extension of its two founding organizations: Canalway Partners, representing Cuyahoga County, and the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, representing the southern three counties of Summit, Stark and Tuscarawas.

Since receiving its National Heritage Area designation in 1996, the Ohio & Erie Canalway has leveraged upwards of $350 million in federal, state, local and private investments throughout the region—and grants are now open for 2020.

To be eligible, you must be considered a non-profit organization, a State of Ohio Political Subdivision or another person/project that falls within the boundaries of the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area and apply by January 11, 2020, at ohioanderiecanalway.com/learn/strategic-initiatives/.