Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation Addition

For more information and directions
Cleveland Metroparks

Last year I checked out the Cleveland Metroparks continuation of the Towpath (Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation). Since then, they've added another 1.3 miles which takes the trail on to Harvard Ave.  The new section continues the theme of showing the juxtaposition of nature and industry in the river valley.
The entire 5.7 mile trail from Rockside Road, where it connects to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, to Harvard is paved. Consider this: If you started at Harvard and ran south, back to the CVNP Towpath, then onto the MetroParks Serving Summit County extension to Mustill Store in Akron, you would have over a marathon distance!

The Canalway Center is a great starting point for a short run to Harvard or that long run south. Best way to get to the Center is to take the Grant Ave. exit off 77 west to 49th Street, then south to the Metropark entrance.

This is a perfect example of trail conditions - a paved surface with a minimum of shade. 

A quiet bench and power lines marching off toward Lake Erie.

A Blue Heron watches the world go by in the safety of the Canal. Or maybe he's trying to figure out why that railcar undercarriage is on display.

And we can't forget to stop and smell the roses?

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