Canal Basin Park
Canal Basin Park
Canal Basin Park in downtown Cleveland is a historic space that connects communities to a 90+ mile Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail; links visitors to the Cuyahoga River; and represents an important time in the history of Cleveland and the nation.
Today, the park is the northern terminus of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, a multi-use recreational trail that mostly follows the historic route of the canal and connects Cleveland to the Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation and Cuyahoga Valley National Park before continuing south into Stark, Summit and Tuscarawas Counties.
Canal Basin Park is at the beginning of a redesign that will transform the 22-acre riverside greenspace as a cohesive park that tells the story of the Ohio & Erie Canal and how it fueled the growth of trade and industry in the west, creating a population boom in Cleveland and Ohio and propelled the nation into the 20th century.
The redesign of Canal Basin Park will transform a unique 22-acre urban riverfront park in downtown Cleveland into a space that represents its historical significance to the City of Cleveland and the State of Ohio.
Visit Canal Basin Park in downtown Cleveland today to enjoy its many lawns, including Settlers Landing directly on the river, its trail connections, and the existing dog park.
Canal Basin Park is a historic site. From prehistoric times to today, the river has shaped the area, impacted settlements, and fueled the Ohio & Erie Canal, leading to industry and civic growth.
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. In 2025, a mural and map were added to the Towpath Trailhead.
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