Quoting from previous page

 

Great news for Irishtown Bend!  Wasn't sure where best to post so also cross-posted in the Ohio City development page.

 

https://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2020/07/16/metroparks-to-demolish-two-buildings-on-w-25th-street-for-irishtown-bend-project

 

"Metroparks to Demolish Two Buildings on W. 25th Street for Irishtown Bend Project"

 

'The Cleveland Metroparks will demolish two buildings on W. 25th Street in what will be the "first major visible step" in the forthcoming Irishtown Bend project, which aims to clear and stabilize the Cuyahoga River hillside along the eponymous bend and transform it into a 23-acre park.'

 

Cool!  I was about to ask on one of these threads when those buildings were coming down. Should improve the view from Bookhouse brewing. 

Edited July 16, 20204 yr by audidave

I'm curious how we can get NS-CSX to get that stupid RR crossing taken care of. Canalway Partners have said that ball's in the rr's court but obviously it isn't a priority and if I had to guess the rr's are waiting until they need to resurface the entire crossing. Another summer with the trail and another summer where people need to navigate into oncoming traffic in order to get across a 10' section...

 

 

On 7/22/2020 at 11:06 AM, GISguy said:

I'm curious how we can get NS-CSX to get that stupid RR crossing taken care of. Canalway Partners have said that ball's in the rr's court but obviously it isn't a priority and if I had to guess the rr's are waiting until they need to resurface the entire crossing. Another summer with the trail and another summer where people need to navigate into oncoming traffic in order to get across a 10' section...

 

Are you referring to the section on Jennings Road by the railroad tracks where the paved trail just ends and then resumes less than 100 feet later?

 

For a visual of GISguy and I are describing check: https://www.mapillary.com/app/?lat=41.44745703039308&lng=-81.68775234736336&z=17.54536743221681&pKey=gOFdteC3--kySdyoDHVR_g&dateFrom=2020-01-01&dateTo=2020-11-20&focus=photo&x=0.465364891811189&y=0.5613367044164268&zoom=0.4714181626416734

59 minutes ago, skorasaurus said:

 

Are you referring to the section on Jennings Road by the railroad tracks where the paved trail just ends and then resumes less than 100 feet later?

 

For a visual of GISguy and I are describing check: https://www.mapillary.com/app/?lat=41.44745703039308&lng=-81.68775234736336&z=17.54536743221681&pKey=gOFdteC3--kySdyoDHVR_g&dateFrom=2020-01-01&dateTo=2020-11-20&focus=photo&x=0.465364891811189&y=0.5613367044164268&zoom=0.4714181626416734

 

Yes, that's the one he was talking about.

 

 

Tax deductible fundraiser (501C-3 entity) to help with the completion of the southern Terminus of the Ohio and Erie Canal's Towpath Trail:

 

https://www.facebook.com/donate/195590961972836/10110756815542454/

Really getting fed up with the railroad crossing on Jennings. I really hope CSX/NS get to it this summer, otherwise it's going to be another dangerous season for that tiny piece. 

 

I know railroads are powerful animals and it'd be a tit for tat with them, but I hope someone on the trail side can flex some muscle and get them to wrap it up. 

Amazing news

Completion of the Towpath Trail in Cleveland hailed as a milestone, and a goad to keep adding regional trails and parks

Steven Litt - Cleveland.com - June 10, 2021

 

 

"The ceremonial ribbon cutting on Wednesday that marked the completion of the Towpath Trail in Cleveland seemed modest in comparison to the magnitude of the urban transformation it was meant to celebrate. ... it took more than two decades and $54 million in largely public funding to complete the northernmost five miles between Harvard Avenue at the city’s southern edge and Canal Basin Park, the original northern terminus of the 1832 Ohio & Erie Canal on Columbus Road Peninsula. ... Donovan said that although the Towpath Trail itself may be finished in Cleveland, work has only just begun at Canal Basin Park, envisioned as a 25-acre reserve and historic site where two oxbows of the Cuyahoga River curve toward each other on Columbus Road Peninsula, just downhill from downtown Cleveland."

Anyone in Cleveland want to help with the southern terminus?

 

Tuscarawas County seeks company to design Towpath Trail extension

 

https://www.timesreporter.com/story/news/2021/03/26/tuscarawas-county-seeks-company-design-towpath-trail-extension/6994840002/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

 

EDIT:  here to donate https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=4601491673221969&id=191779594193221&m_entstream_source=timeline

 

 

Edited December 4, 20213 yr by MuRrAy HiLL

Meanwhile the canal has pretty much dried up through most of its CVNP route.

1 hour ago, E Rocc said:

Meanwhile the canal has pretty much dried up through most of its CVNP route.

I mean, the canal is a man-made waterway, and as such it doesn't stay "watered" unless done so intentionally. I think the National Park purposefully doesn't water most sections within their boundaries for various reasons.

Keeping the canal unwatered probably helps to reduce flooding in the vicinity after a heavy rain.

Fascinating interview on the Towpath Trail. Also included an interview w CVSR pres, so I’ll cross post there. The article does NOT have everything in the interview, so check out the audio if you have time. 

They talk about kayaking on the river. 
 

They talk about Gorge Dam removal project. 
 

Historic towpath trail continues to grow and connect Northeast Ohioans to recreational green spaces

 

https://www.ideastream.org/programs/sound-of-ideas/historic-towpath-trail-continues-to-grow-and-connect-northeast-ohioans-to-recreational-green-spaces
 

“And that attraction is the Towpath trail.

…

“On the program today, we look at its past and future, and ongoing efforts to make it even bigger than it is.

…

“We close the program by taking a ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.”

 

Guests: 

- John Grabowski, Associate Professor of Applied History, Case Western Reserve University

- Mera Cardenas, Executive Director, Canalway Partners

- Daniel Rice, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition

- Joe Mazur, President & Chief Executive Officer, The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railway

Ohio & Erie Canalway receives $22M in funding, National Heritage Area designation through 2037

Published: Dec. 28, 2022, 5:04 p.m.

By Megan Becka, special to cleveland.com

 

"AKRON, Ohio – Congress reauthorized the Ohio & Erie Canalway as a National Heritage Area until 2037.

 

The Dec. 22 reauthorization includes a funding increase -- from $20 million to $22 million over the next 14 years -- according to the National Heritage Area Act (S.1942).

 

Those actions will maintain the stability of the 101-mile Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. Some 2.5 million people each year use the trail, which traverses through the Ohio & Erie Canalway. The funding will also enable the canalway to build new connector trails, preserve historic buildings, offer educational and interpretive programming and conserve natural areas, according to the Ohio & Erie Canalway."

 

https://www.cleveland.com/akron/2022/12/ohio-erie-canalway-receives-22m-in-funding-national-heritage-area-designation-through-2037.html

4 hours ago, Luke_S said:

Ohio & Erie Canalway receives $22M in funding, National Heritage Area designation through 2037

Published: Dec. 28, 2022, 5:04 p.m.

By Megan Becka, special to cleveland.com

 

"AKRON, Ohio – Congress reauthorized the Ohio & Erie Canalway as a National Heritage Area until 2037.

 

The Dec. 22 reauthorization includes a funding increase -- from $20 million to $22 million over the next 14 years -- according to the National Heritage Area Act (S.1942).

 

Those actions will maintain the stability of the 101-mile Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. Some 2.5 million people each year use the trail, which traverses through the Ohio & Erie Canalway. The funding will also enable the canalway to build new connector trails, preserve historic buildings, offer educational and interpretive programming and conserve natural areas, according to the Ohio & Erie Canalway."

 

https://www.cleveland.com/akron/2022/12/ohio-erie-canalway-receives-22m-in-funding-national-heritage-area-designation-through-2037.html

 

Maybe restoring the canal itself would help too.   The pumps weren't even close to cutting it last year.   If it doesn't catch up this year the path will be mosquito laden between Pleasant Valley and Rockside.

National publication:

 

https://online.flippingbook.com/view/49240737/10/
 

@Pleco Downtown to Peninsula is quite a jaunt. How long did that take? 

 

BTW, I also got spooked when biking near Canalway a few years ago. I heard something in the wooded area, not sure what it was, maybe deer, but I got out of there quickly.

3 hours ago, LibertyBlvd said:

@Pleco Downtown to Peninsula is quite a jaunt. How long did that take? 

 

BTW, I also got spooked when biking near Canalway a few years ago. I heard something in the wooded area, not sure what it was, maybe deer, but I got out of there quickly.

 

My secret is to cheat....start off in Brecksville ;-) 

 

But those night rides on the towpath with friends are one of my favorite things when I'm back. And yes it does get spooky. 

On 11/18/2023 at 4:54 PM, LibertyBlvd said:

@Pleco Downtown to Peninsula is quite a jaunt. How long did that take? 

 

BTW, I also got spooked when biking near Canalway a few years ago. I heard something in the wooded area, not sure what it was, maybe deer, but I got out of there quickly.

I started my ride with a trip to Edgewater Beach before heading back through Ohio City, making it a 60 mile journey over 4 hrs with 1500 ft elevation gain. 

So, there's some disagreement with the plan to pave 16 miles of the Towpath trail.

https://www.cleveland.com/news/2023/12/plan-to-pave-towpath-trail-kicks-up-dust-in-cuyahoga-valley-national-park.html

 

I've experienced the hardened ruts that people have complained about, and they suck.  But the trail is pretty hard and compact most places -- so it's not a natural consequence of having a hardpack path.  Is it a drainage issue or a too-many-users issue?  

 

Even if it's a heavy-use problem, it seems like some improved drainage is needed to avoid simply changing the problem from ruts to cracked and potholed pavement. 

On 12/15/2023 at 4:28 PM, Foraker said:

So, there's some disagreement with the plan to pave 16 miles of the Towpath trail.

https://www.cleveland.com/news/2023/12/plan-to-pave-towpath-trail-kicks-up-dust-in-cuyahoga-valley-national-park.html

 

I've experienced the hardened ruts that people have complained about, and they suck.  But the trail is pretty hard and compact most places -- so it's not a natural consequence of having a hardpack path.  Is it a drainage issue or a too-many-users issue?  

 

Even if it's a heavy-use problem, it seems like some improved drainage is needed to avoid simply changing the problem from ruts to cracked and potholed pavement. 

 

There are definitely drainage issues along certain parts of the trail.  But I don't think that covers all of the problems with the trail.  There's certainly issues with heavy usage, but also just that compact soil is not as consistent and safe for bicyclists as asphalt.

Greener pastures await as Big Creek Connects merges with West Creek Conservancy

Published: Jan. 08, 2025, 7:12 a.m.

By John Benson, special to cleveland.com

 

PARMA, Ohio -- After nearly two decades of serving Brooklyn, Parma and Cleveland, Big Creek Connects merges with West Creek Conservancy.

 

The nonprofit’s mission was focused on linking the Towpath Trail along the Cuyahoga River with Big Creek Reservation in Parma via a 6.5-mile greenway and trail through Cleveland and Brooklyn.

 

West Creek Conservancy boasts a mission to enrich the lives of all people in Northeast Ohio by conserving natural habitats, restoring the ecological value of the region’s lands and waters and expanding opportunities to connect people from all cultures to experience nature and discover the great outdoors.

 

https://www.cleveland.com/community/2025/01/greener-pastures-await-as-big-creek-connects-merges-with-west-creek-conservancy.html

Edited January 8Jan 8 by MuRrAy HiLL

30 minutes ago, MuRrAy HiLL said:

Greener pastures await as Big Creek Connects merges with West Creek Conservancy

Published: Jan. 08, 2025, 7:12 a.m.

By John Benson, special to cleveland.com

 

PARMA, Ohio -- After nearly two decades of serving Brooklyn, Parma and Cleveland, Big Creek Connects merges with West Creek Conservancy.

 

The nonprofit’s mission was focused on linking the Towpath Trail along the Cuyahoga River with Big Creek Reservation in Parma via a 6.5-mile greenway and trail through Cleveland and Brooklyn.

 

West Creek Conservancy boasts a mission to enrich the lives of all people in Northeast Ohio by conserving natural habitats, restoring the ecological value of the region’s lands and waters and expanding opportunities to connect people from all cultures to experience nature and discover the great outdoors.

 

https://www.cleveland.com/community/2025/01/greener-pastures-await-as-big-creek-connects-merges-with-west-creek-conservancy.html

 

To add a bit more detail to this. West Creek has been working closely with Big Creek Connects for the past few years to facilitate the acquisitions, restorations, and other projects they've taken on, so this merger really is a natural progression of the existing relationship between the two organizations. Additionally, West Creek has merged with other local watershed/land conservancies in the past to continue the work in those areas, Mill Creek Watershed Partnership is one example. For anyone invested in Big Creek Connects' mission, so far at least one member of Big Creek's former board has joined West Creek's board and there will be a transition committee to ensure Big Creek's current projects and mission get the appropriate attention. 

 

West Creek's annual meeting is coming up on April 8 at 6pm at the Parma-Snow library if anyone is interested in learning more.