Hikers and nature enthusiasts in Brecksville will need to adjust their plans as Cuyahoga Valley National Park has announced the temporary closure of a portion of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. The affected 1.5-mile section, situated north of Station Road Bridge Trailhead, will be inaccessible from December 18, 2023, to May 3, 2024, between 5 a.m. Mondays and 6 p.m. Fridays, according to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park official release by the park. The trail will, however, remain open to visitors on weekends during this period.
The temporary closure marks a critical phase in the ongoing efforts to stabilize the riverbank, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the trail and nearby infrastructure, such as the tracks for the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. No detour routes are offered during the closure, potentially complicating travel plans for regular trail users. The work slated for the Station Road area is divided into two phases, with further details about the second phase, south of Station Road, to be announced later in 2024.
This essential maintenance stems from a larger funding initiative to secure the park's environmental future. In 2022, the park secured a significant $14 million through the Great American Outdoors Act’s Legacy Restoration Fund, intended for stabilizing sites along the Cuyahoga River where erosion poses a threat. These funds are allocated for projects that aim to uphold the park’s structural and natural resources, ensuring safety and accessibility for future generations.
While the upcoming project phase is set to address immediate concerns north of Station Road, the overall plan spans multiple sites and represents the park's commitment to ecological preservation and trail safety. In a statement released by Cuyahoga Valley National Park, they underscore the necessity of the closure for public safety while the contractor completes the stabilization process. The preservation of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail remains a priority for the park as it navigates the challenges of natural erosion and its impacts on its beloved trails and railways.
