Advocacy
The City of Cleveland and its partners are updating the vision for Canal Basin Park to celebrate its unique history, while creating an inclusive place where everyone belongs. Building upon past plans and recent park improvement projects, this newest phase of work includes site analysis, design options, public engagement, and a final plan and cost estimate.
Over the last several months, the design team, led by Merritt Chase landscape architects, has gathered community feedback on the design options and park elements through in-person events and an on-line survey. The ideas and feedback inspired the final design for Canal Basin Park, including a Cuyahoga River-themed playground, an accessible riverfront edge, and an ecological interpretation of the historic Canal Basin.
Canal Basin Park in downtown Cleveland is the northern terminus of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. The trailhead and park is located at the historic site where the 1832 canal met the Cuyahoga River. Architectural remnants of the canal can be seen there today.
Many changes have been made to the area in the last several years. In 2021, more than 30,000 square feet of asphalt was turned into green space and sidewalks, decorative stairs were added as a trail connection and a the demarcation of the canal was added.
In 2022, the Towpath Trailhead was officially completed, adding seating, bike racks and a water fountain. But more improvements are planned to transform the whole park into an interpretive site that honors the location’s important history.
In 2024, the city of Cleveland and Merritt Chase landscape architects began updating the vision for Canal Basin Park through schematic designs and community outreach.
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The Canal Basin Trailhead Area in 2020, prior to trailhead construction beginning.
Canalway, Downtown Cleveland Alliance, the City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County and Cleveland Metroparks are working closely together to create a plan for a park that will serve as a gathering place, interpretive park and connective hub at the northern end of the Towpath.
Future phases of the project could remove West Avenue completely, creating a larger greenspace and adding a pavilion, children’s play area, restrooms and interpretive areas to share the story of the canal.
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