THE OHIO AND ERIE CANAL TOWPATH TRAIL:
A regional project created through partnerships
BY DANIEL M. RICE
Imagine hiking or bicycling along the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail from the shores of Lake Erie to the Tuscarawas river valley and, if you are very ambitious, to Columbus or Cincinnati. Fortunately, thanks to the outstanding vision and leadership of our elected officials, government agencies, non-profit organizations and park agencies, this regional dream is fast becoming a reality for the residents of Ohio. Just as the Ohio and Erie Canal connected the “world to the wilderness” and transformed Ohio into the third most populous state in the nation in the 1850s, it is once again being revitalized as an engine for more than $300 million in community and economic development activity in Northeast Ohio. This time, however, instead of canal boats, taverns and canal warehouses, we’ll have bicycle and canoe rental facilities, bed and breakfasts and office and housing developments along the canal.
Not a new idea…
The campaign and vision to save the Ohio and Erie Canal was initiated more than 40 years ago by Congressman Ralph Regula and Allan Simpson, a reporter for the Canton Repository. These two visionary leaders shared a passion for the rich legacy of the Ohio and Erie Canal, and they recognized its potential as a vehicle for community revitalization, tourism and an opportunity to stimulate community and economic development. From their seed of an idea in the 1960s, the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail has developed into a regional resource conservation strategy that is utilized by more than three million hikers, bicyclists and horseback riders who seek to enjoy the natural, historical and recreational features along the 101-mile trail.
From a dream to reality…
The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail is a regional greenway originating along the shores of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland, traveling from the Cuyahoga Valley National Park to the staircase locks in downtown Akron, past the Portage Lakes and through the historic canal towns of Clinton, Canal Fulton, Massillon, Navarre, Bolivar and Zoar to the southern terminus in Dover and New Philadelphia, Ohio. Today, 78 miles of regional trail are completed. Working in partnership with the regional coordinating organizations, including the Ohio and Erie Canalway Association, the federally designated Heritage Committee, Ohio Canal Corridor and Ohio and Erie Canalway Coalition, the remaining 23 miles are in planning and development. As Ed Metzger, chair of the Ohio and Erie Canalway Association, noted, “The Ohio and Erie Canalway Towpath Trail is one of the best examples of regionalism in Northeast Ohio. Through the development of public/private partnerships, we are revitalizing a regional resource and leveraging significant amounts of private, local, state and federal resources.”
Reviving a transportation resource…
Just as the Ohio and Erie Canal catapulted Ohio from a rural and isolated frontier settlement into one of the most populous states in the nation, the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail is stimulating community and economic development in Ohio. From the revitalization and adaptive re-use of former canal warehouses and rubber factories to the construction of housing developments and museums, there is a renewed sense of entrepreneurial spirit. The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail serves as the catalyst for regional community and economic development throughout Cuyahoga, Summit, Stark and Tuscarawas counties.
Today more than ever, companies and businesses are looking to settle in communities that offer more than just good schools, roads and low taxes. In order to compete in the global environment and attract quality employees, companies seek communities that offer quality of life amenities including parks, trails and green space for employees to recreate in a safe environment while learning about the heritage of the community. As key partners in the promotion and development of trails and green space, corporations receive additional benefits through lower health care costs and increased worker productivity. Companies like Forest City Enterprises, National City Bank, The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Cargill, Key Bank, Dominion, First Energy and many others recognize the relationship between resource conservation and community and economic development. As Allan Krulak, vice president of community affairs for Forest City Enterprises stated, “Through the development of the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail, we are creating a regional resource that is attracting millions of dollars in public/private investments. Originally constructed as a transportation resource, the Ohio and Erie Canal is being recycled and revitalized as a regional resource.”
Many miles traveled, only 23 miles to go…
Two recent additions to the development of the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail include the Steelyard Commons section in Cleveland and the Fort Laurens Towpath Trail and Bridge in Bolivar.
The Steelyard Commons section of the trail celebrates the industrial heritage of the steel industry as it winds through the Steelyard Commons retail development. This innovative partnership featured the utilization of tax incentive financing (TIF) for the development of the trail. This one-mile section of the trail represents a vital connection in the development of this regional resource in Cleveland.
The Fort Laurens Trail and Bridge were dedicated Oct. 27, 2007. This $2.25 million key trail and bridge connection provides hikers, bicyclists and horseback riders with a safe linkage over I-77, connecting Bolivar with Zoar. More than just a physical linkage, the Fort Laurens Towpath Trail and Bridge represent the gateway to Tuscarawas County and are a catalyst for the future development of the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail to the southern terminus through Dover to New Philadelphia.
Building upon the successful public/private partnerships and our ability to leverage significant amounts of private, local, state and federal investment, the march to complete the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail continues to gain momentum. The final miles to Canal Basin Park are in the planning stages. A $3.3 million section of the trail will be dedicated in downtown Akron in September 2008 and the floating boardwalk across Summit Lake will be under construction. In addition, MetroParks serving Summit County is developing the trail in partnership with PPG Industries, the largest private property owner along the 101 miles, as it winds through their property in the Barberton area.
Creating a regional legacy…
For more than 175 years, the Ohio and Erie Canal has served the citizens of Ohio as a regional economic development engine and vital transportation resource. Working in partnership with our elected officials, government agencies, non-profit organizations,
corporations, park agencies and individuals, we have a historic opportunity to revitalize this regional treasure, celebrate the natural, historical and recreational resources of the Ohio and Erie Canal, and improve the quality of life for the citizens of the region while creating a legacy for future generations. For more information about the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail and to find ways to get involved with this exciting regional project, please contact the Ohio and Erie Canalway Coalition at 330.434.5657 or Dan Rice at drice@ohioeriecanal.org NEO
DANIEL M. RICE is the president and chief executive officer of the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, headquartered in Akron, Ohio.
The Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition (OECC) is the regional non-profit organization working for the conservation, development and interpretation of the natural, historical and recreational resources along the Ohio & Erie National Heritage Canalway from Cleveland to New Philadelphia, Ohio. Since 1994, Mr. Rice has worked with more than 150 community partnerships and raised more than $25 million in development funds for the preservation of historic structures, the development of the 101-mile, multi-use Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail and the conservation of natural resources along the Ohio & Erie National Heritage Canalway.
Mr. Rice is a native of Ohio, with a Bachelor’s degree in history from the College of Wooster and Master’s degree in American History from the University of Akron.
Mr. Rice is married to Nancy Neagoy Rice and lives in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio with their daughter Rachael.
