Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail

Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail
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Name	Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail
Location	Ohio, United States
Length	87 mi (140 km)
Elevation	620 ft (189 m)
Established	1990
Usage	Hiking, Biking, Horseback riding

Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail is a popular hiking trail and bikeway that follows the former path of the Ohio and Erie Canal, which connected the Great Lakes to the Ohio River and was a major transportation route in the 19th century, with notable canal boats like the Clinton's Ditch and Erie Canal boats. The trail spans 87 miles from Cleveland to New Philadelphia, passing through Cuyahoga Valley National Park and the Tuscarawas River valley, near the John Glenn Research Center and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Along the way, it passes through several counties, including Summit County, Stark County, and Tuscarawas County, and near the University of Akron and Kent State University. The trail is managed by the National Park Service and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with the Ohio and Erie Canalway Coalition and the Tuscarawas County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Introduction

The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail is a significant part of Ohio's outdoor recreation scene, attracting visitors from across the United States and around the world, including hikers from the Appalachian Trail and bicyclists from the Great Allegheny Passage. The trail is also an important part of the state's history and heritage, with many historic sites and landmarks along the way, such as the Boston Store, the Mustill Store, and the Frazier Elementary School, which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The trail passes through a variety of landscapes, including forests, wetlands, and agricultural areas, and near the Cuyahoga River and the Tuscarawas River, which are home to a wide range of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and bald eagles. The trail is also close to the Amish country and the Holmes County, where visitors can experience the unique culture and traditions of the Amish people.

History

The Ohio and Erie Canal was built in the early 19th century, with the help of engineers like James Geddes and Nathan Roberts, and was a major transportation route for goods and people between the Great Lakes and the Ohio River, with notable canal boats like the Clinton's Ditch and Erie Canal boats. The canal was an important factor in the development of Ohio and the surrounding region, with the help of investors like John Jacob Astor and Cornelius Vanderbilt, and played a significant role in the growth of cities like Cleveland and Akron, which were connected to the Lake Erie and the Ohio River by the canal. The canal was also an important route for immigrants coming to the United States from Europe, particularly from Ireland and Germany, who settled in the Midwest and worked on the canal and in the surrounding farms and factories. The trail follows the former path of the canal, which was abandoned in the mid-20th century, and has been restored and developed into a popular recreation trail, with the help of organizations like the National Park Service and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Geography

The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail spans 87 miles from Cleveland to New Philadelphia, passing through a variety of landscapes and ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, and agricultural areas, and near the Cuyahoga River and the Tuscarawas River. The trail passes through several counties, including Summit County, Stark County, and Tuscarawas County, and near the University of Akron and Kent State University. The trail is generally flat and easy to navigate, making it accessible to hikers and bicyclists of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced athletes, and is also suitable for horseback riding and cross-country skiing. The trail passes through several parks and nature reserves, including Cuyahoga Valley National Park and the Tuscarawas River valley, which are home to a wide range of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and bald eagles.

Recreation

The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail is a popular destination for outdoor recreation, with opportunities for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing, as well as fishing and birdwatching, with the help of organizations like the National Park Service and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The trail is also a popular route for long-distance hiking and biking, with several campgrounds and lodges along the way, including the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad and the Tuscarawas River valley, which offer accommodations and amenities for visitors. The trail passes through several towns and cities, including Peninsula, Boston Heights, and Massillon, which offer a range of services and amenities for visitors, including restaurants, shops, and museums, such as the Peninsula Library and the Massillon Museum.

Conservation

The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail is an important part of the state's conservation efforts, with several parks and nature reserves along the way, including Cuyahoga Valley National Park and the Tuscarawas River valley, which are home to a wide range of wildlife and plant species, including endangered species like the bald eagle and the eastern hellbender. The trail is also an important habitat for several species of birds, including the American bald eagle, the osprey, and the peregrine falcon, which are protected by laws like the Endangered Species Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The trail is managed by the National Park Service and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with several conservation organizations, including the Ohio and Erie Canalway Coalition and the Tuscarawas County Convention and Visitors Bureau, which work to protect and preserve the trail and its surrounding ecosystems.

Management

The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail is managed by the National Park Service and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with several local governments and conservation organizations, including the Ohio and Erie Canalway Coalition and the Tuscarawas County Convention and Visitors Bureau. The trail is maintained by a team of rangers and volunteers, who work to keep the trail clean and safe for visitors, and to protect the surrounding ecosystems and wildlife habitats, with the help of organizations like the National Park Service and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The trail is also supported by several local businesses and organizations, including hotels, restaurants, and outfitters, which offer services and amenities for visitors, such as the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad and the Tuscarawas River valley. The trail is an important part of the state's tourism industry, attracting visitors from across the United States and around the world, and generating significant economic benefits for the surrounding communities, including jobs and revenue for local businesses.

Category:Ohio