Press Kit

Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) protects ~33,000 acres along the banks of the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron, Ohio. CVNP combines cultural, historical, and natural resources and visitor activities in one setting. CVNP is managed by the National Park Service, a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Interior.

• Superintendent: Lisa Petit
• FY24 Base Operating Budget: $12 million
• Employees: 91 permanent, 43 temporary
• Volunteers (FY23): 4,419 volunteers; 105,843 hours
• Visitation (FY23): 2,860,059 visits
• Size: approximately 20 miles long and up to 6 miles wide
• Acreage: approximately 32,950 acres
• Ownership:
  • Federal: ~19,113 acres
  • Non-federal: ~13,837 acres
    • Public land: 8,962 acres
    • Private land: 1,638 acres
    • Private with NPS easements: 1,321 acres
    • Private institutional ownership: 1,423 acres
• Geographic Placement: Cuyahoga and Summit counties; 15 cities, villages, and townships; 7 school districts; and 2 metropolitan park districts.

Park Creation

• Enabling Legislation: December 27, 1974, P.L. 93-555 (Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area)

• Name Change Legislation: October 11, 2000, P.L. 106-291 (Cuyahoga Valley National Park)

Purpose Statement

To preserve and protect for public use and enjoyment the historic, scenic, natural, and recreational values of the Cuyahoga River and its valley; to maintain the necessary recreational open space in connection with the urban environment; and to provide for the recreational and educational needs of the visiting public.

Strategic Focus 2022–2024

In 2024 and 2025, Cuyahoga Valley National Park will celebrate its 50th anniversary of creation as a Park for the People. Planning includes a focus on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility.

Features/Programs

CVNP is located within a one-hour drive of the four million people in the greater Cleveland/Akron/Canton metropolitan area. Some 250 historic structures, including residential and farming properties, are located in the park, in addition to the nationally significant Ohio & Erie Canal and the Valley Railway. Protection of NPS-owned historic properties continues with a focus on rehabilitating historic structures and the railroad, and the restoration of disturbed areas and the river. The natural resources of the park include a remarkable and thriving wildlife population in an urban area where development continuously reduces the amount of available open space. The park offers visitors over 140 miles of hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding trails. Visitor services include Boston Mill Visitor Center and Canal Exploration Center. In addition to regular public interpretive programs, the park also offers focused educational programs in a residential or day use setting.

Partnerships

NPS has two main non-profit partners that assist and support the visitor experiences in CVNP:

• Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park's mission is to engage public support for CVNP and provide services to enhance public use and enjoyment of the park. In addition to raising money to help enhance the park, the Conservancy connects visitors with their national park through volunteer events, youth and adult education, and cultural arts.
• Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR) provides opportunities for excursions like the National Park Scenic and as an alternative means of transportation through the Explorer program. CVSR enhances the park experience by offering special events and programs.

Numerous other publicly oriented operations are within park boundaries: Blossom Music Center (the summer home of The Cleveland Orchestra); Hale Farm & Village (operated by The Western Reserve Historical Society); Boy Scout and Girl Scout camps; Cleveland Metroparks; Summit Metro Parks; Boston Mills/Brandywine Ski Resorts; golf courses; and other facilities that offer opportunities compatible with NPS goals.

Sister Parks

In 2024 Cuyahoga Valley became sister parks with Dartmoor National Park in the United Kingdom. The purpose of the formal sister park relationship is to promote international cooperation for the mutual benefit of the parks, provide a forum for collaboration about shared challenges, enrich the experience and training of park personnel through international exchanges, and share the cultural and social values of both countries.

Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area

Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area is designated by Congress to help preserve and celebrate the rails, trails, landscapes, towns and sites that grew up along the first 110 miles of the canal that helped Ohio and our nation grow. Visitors can experience the heritage area and CVNP using the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, and America's Scenic Byway.

Visitation Statistics

• 2019: 2,237,997 (#13 most visited national park)
• 2020: 2,755,628 (#7 most visited national park)
• 2021: 2,575,275 (#13 most visited national park)
• 2022: 2,913,312 (#9 most visited national park)
• 2023: 2,860,059 (#12 most visited national park)

Learn more about visitation statistics from the National Park Service.

Park Photos and Video

Use images from our Photos for Media gallery below or from our Photos & Multimedia page. B-roll video footage is also available for media use.

 

 

Open Descriptive Transcript

Descriptive Transcript

The only audio in this B-roll footage is from about 00:20-00:40, the sounds of a train whistle and the dinging of the railroad crossing alarm as the train pulls into Boston. The remainder of the video has no audio track.

Duration:

15 minutes, 9 seconds

B-roll of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, shot in 2021. Footage includes clips of Boston Mill Visitor Center, Boston Store, kayakers on the Cuyahoga River in Brecksville, and Canal Exploration Center.

 

Contact Public Affairs

Email us: [e-mail]

Pamela Barnes, Public Information Officer/Community Engagement Supervisor
Mobile: [phone]
Office: 440-546-5994

Jennie Vasarhelyi, Chief of Interpretation, Education, and Visitor Services
Office: 440-546-5990
Mobile: [phone]