Bikers throughout the region will soon find an extended trail in the combined Towpath Trail and Centennial Trail.
The Ohio and Erie Canalway Towpath Trail stretches between Cleveland and New Philadelphia. This popular bikeway is set to become a portion of an impressive cross-state trail. The Cleveland Foundation Centennial Trail will connect with the Towpath Trail in the city of Cleveland, going on to wind through downtown neighborhoods and skirt along the shores of Lake Erie.
The Cleveland Foundation Centennial Trail is the new name of what was previously called the Lake Link Trail. A recent $5 million donation from The Cleveland Foundation is responsible for the underwriting of this Cleveland Metroparks project. The new name recognizes the Cleveland Foundation’s commitment to this current project and assistance with the conservation of this natural area. An important overall goal of the project is to raise awareness of the Lake Erie region and its natural beauty and to encourage more people to visit the area.
Bicyclists who take to the Towpath Trail will be greeted with stretches of asphalt, connected with segments of finely crushed stones. The good news is that most of the stone surfaces are packed firmly enough to enable road bikes to navigate them with ease. Anyone planning to tour the Towpath Trail during the summer should check with the park service managing specific areas to ensure that the entire pathway is open. With its close proximity to local waterways such as the Cuyahoga River, flooding can occur, especially after significant rainfall.
Once the connection between the Towpath Trail and the Centennial Trail is complete, Cleveland locals will have greater access to the expanding park system by bike. Wendy Park and Whiskey Island are just two destinations that will be accessible via the bikeway. A pedestrian bridge is also planned for the lakefront area.
Ohio residents or visitors from out of state can enjoy approximately 190 miles of bikeways snaking through natural valleys, quiet suburbs, and bustling cities.
Special thanks to Robert Couse-Baker for the image of the bike on the trail.
