The historically significant Muskingum River Parkway is all set to welcome back boats and history enthusiasts along its waters. A special celebration is queued up for May 31 by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) to commemorate the reopening of Rokeby Lock #8. This event marks the first time since 2020 that full navigational access will be possible from Marietta to Zanesville. "Restoring navigation to the entire length of the Muskingum is about more than boats on the water,” ODNR Director Mary Mertz said in a statement obtained by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). “It’s about preserving a remarkable piece of our heritage and celebrating the communities and families who’ve cherished this river for generations."
The celebration is set to kick off with a morning ceremony at McConnelsville Lock #7, followed by free pontoon boat rides provided by ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft staff. Visitors are encouraged to come experience the charm of Ohio's only hand-operated lock system. However, it's important to note that these boat rides are dependant on the weather and river levels, and may need to be canceled for safety in the event of high water.
Recognized as the Muskingum River Navigation Historic District, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the park serves as home to one of the last hand-operated lock systems in the nation—a testament to 19th-century innovation. For communities along the Muskingum River, the return of this navigation route is a nod to their enduring heritage and a step towards bolstering outdoor recreation.
The Muskingum River Parkway doesn't merely connect bodies of water—it represents a connective thread of history and engineering might. Constructed under the guidance of West Point graduate Major Samuel Curtis in the 1800s, these locks transformed a natural waterway into a pulsing conduit for commerce. Alongside the celebration of mobility, ODNR invites Ohioans and visitors alike to rediscover the scenic and cultural splendors that drew settlers, traders, and riverboat pilots to its banks almost 200 years ago. To experience the beauty and historical significance firsthand, the event at 698 E Riverside Dr, McConnelsville, OH 43756, promises an enriching day for individuals and families.
ODNR has recognized the value in such landmarks, placing the lock system on an equal pedestal with the likes of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Hoover Dam. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources states that the Muskingum River Parkway serves as "a living link to Ohio’s storied past—and a bright future for outdoor recreation." Its re-opening is not just a functional upgrade, it's a rejuvenation of a piece of living history that continues to contribute to the region's identity and economic prosperity greatly.
