Buildings and Trails Projects

During the construction season, the National Park Service typically has multiple projects happening to improve Cuyahoga Valley's buildings and trails. These are in addition to our river restoration projects. Sometimes our employees and volunteers do the work themselves. Other times, it is done by contractors or partners.

This page highlights a few of the larger projects. As work progresses, we add photos to the galleries. If there are any closures needed, they are posted on our current conditions page.

 

A view of an eroded riverbank along the Cuyahoga.

NPS / Ainger

Stabilizing the Riverbank for Continued Access

Rivers naturally erode the soil along their banks. Having infrastructure like the Towpath Trail and railroad next to the river makes it challenging to maintain them. The Cuyahoga River is a complex system and due to changes in precipitation over time, river flooding and erosion is more prevalent.

The good news is that Cuyahoga Valley received funding from the Great American Outdoors Act’s Legacy Restoration Fund to stabilize eight locations along the Cuyahoga River.

This work is in progress in 2024, and will require some temporary closures of the Towpath Trail and Cuyahoga River Water Trail. Updates on the work and closures will be posted on social media. Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR) will not run on the affected track sections until the stabilization work is complete. Visitor safety is of utmost importance to Cuyahoga Valley National Park and CVSR. We are doing everything we can to reopen the tracks as soon as possible for you to have a fun and safe experience.

A local contractor, River Reach Construction, was selected for the design-build project. The contractor visited the sites with project managers in late December 2022. Early 2023 work included documenting wetlands and geotechnical soil borings. This is part of an environmental compliance step and sets the project up for future monitoring. Each site has a unique design and environmental compliance process. Documents open for public comment will be posted on our Public Involvement page as they are available. Updates on the work and closures will be posted on social media. For more information check out our news release.

 

The current Brandywine Creek culvert, built in the 1800s.

NPS / Julie Lawson

Brandywine Creek Towpath Trail Culvert

Starting in late 2024, contractors will be installing a new culvert where Brandywine Creek passes underneath the Towpath Trail. As the local climate has changed, one major difference is that we now get more rainfall and bigger storms than we did when the culvert was built in the 1800s. The new culvert will be larger to accommodate the increased flow in Brandywine Creek.

 

The new Stanford trailhead in two views.

Conservancy for CVNP

Stanford Trailhead Project

The park is working with the Conservancy for CVNP to create a new trailhead on Stanford Road. The NPS Centennial Challenge awarded Cuyahoga Valley National Park a $500,000 matching grant to build the new Stanford Trailhead. This trailhead will improve access to trails in the area, provide new facilities, and more parking. Work is underway now, with expected completion in 2025.

 

The pedestrian bridge opened on July 27, 2023.

NPS

Boston Pedestrian Bridge

The Summit County Engineer worked with the National Park Service to build a pedestrian bridge over the Cuyahoga River that links Boston Mill Visitor Center with Boston Store Trailhead. Planning and design happened in 2021. Site preparation began in February 2023. The trusses were installed in May. The contractor built the ramps up to the bridge and layed the concrete floor in June and July 2023. The bridge opened late July 2023.

This bridge connects both sides of Boston, creating a pedestrian-friendly campus along the Cuyahoga River. The main parking lot is now at Boston Mill Visitor Center, which opened in October 2019. Boston Store Trailhead has accessibility parking only. It serves people with limited mobility who are shopping or using the Towpath Trail. There is an unpaved overflow lot nearby at Boston Trailhead.

The National Park Service must carefully consider the effects of creating new paved surfaces. The new lot at the Boston Mill Visitor Center is preferable for environmental and fiscal reasons. It is farther from the river and is better designed to address runoff and capture potential runoff before it reaches the river.

 

The section of Everett Road being removed by Summit County.

NPS / Bob Trinnes

Everett Road Removal

In 2021, Summit County decided to close the portion of Everett Road between Farmstead and Wheatley roads. The county began removing the pavement of the road in fall 2022. Hikers should be aware of the construction when on Everett area trails and stay on the trail. Summit County closed this section of road because of erosion issues and access to alternative routes. Their contractor completed this phase of work in May 2023. In the future, the county plans to remove the vehicular bridge over Furnace Run. The road will be restored to natural habitat. The erosion means the area is not sustainable for a trail.

 

Approximately 12 acres of land will be restored to a natural state.

NPS / Mallory Klein

Restoring Open Space through the Great American Outdoors Act

Made possible with funding from the Legacy Restoration Fund, created by the Great American Outdoors Act, 33 non-historic structures will be removed from 11 parcels of land throughout the park, and approximately 12 acres of land will be restored to a natural state.