Head down to Canal Basin Park today, and you may not recognize the space between the RedLine viaduct and the Detroit Superior Bridge. Over the past year, this area has been transformed into the northern gateway for the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail and the trailhead is now open! Native plants bloom while the remnants of railroad tracks embedded in the landscape remind us of Cleveland’s industrial history. The removal of 30,000 square feet of asphalt and the extension of the Towpath Trail into Cleveland made this possible.
The Trailhead is located at 989 West Street in Cleveland and features 70 parking spots, bicycle parking areas, seating and a water bottle refilling station.
The opening of this trailhead marks the completion of the Towpath Trail Northern Extension Project and the completion of another phase in the plans to transform Canal Basin Park. Additional site improvements and trailhead enhancements will be coming soon.
Project partners include Canalway, the City of Cleveland, Cleveland Metroparks, and NOACA. The Ohio Department of Transportation served as the project manager. We look forward to celebrating the opening of this new trailhead this fall!
The Towpath Trail is now more than 90 miles from Canal Basin Park in Cleveland to historic Zoar Village. The iconic Towpath Trail runs through the heart of the 110 mile-long Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area.
Read more about the plans for Canal Basin Park here.