Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition

06/16/2026

Join us this Saturday for a bicycle ride honoring the legacy of Congressman Ralph Regula, who dedicated his career to the preservation and designation of the Ohio & Erie Canalway as a National Heritage Area, including the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail at its spine from Cuyahoga to Tuscarawas County.

It all began as a vision during his time as Village of Navarre Solicitor, and his vision was carried throughout the decades to develop 92 miles of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail—and counting! 🚴 Join us for the Congressman Ralph Regula Memorial Ride this Saturday for an 8, 16 or 32-mile adventure on the Towpath Trail through Summit and Stark counties!

🎟️ Your ticket includes ride support, water stops and boxed lunch at St. Helena Heritage Park: ohioeriecanal.org/regula-ride

06/15/2026

🎙️NEWS: Ohio Legislature approves State Capital Budget request for Akron park projects!

Last week was a big week for City of Akron parks, which received $100,000 for improvements to Hardesty Park in partnership with Akron Parks Collaborative, and $250,000 for future redevelopment of Lock 2 Park in partnership with Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, Akron Children's and Akron RubberDucks.

We're eager to continue the planning for a high-quality designed park that works for families, downtown employees and visitors along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail: ohioeriecanal.org/news

Reimagining the Civic Commons

06/15/2026

We were ecstatic to open our doors to these future young leaders taking part in City of Akron Recreation and Parks' "All About Akron" Camp last week with Mayor Malik.

Akron is a special place to live, play and grow, with a rich history of innovation and industry made possible by the Ohio & Erie Canal!

06/10/2026

Meet the Summit Lake NorthShore Park Hosts!

Park Hosts are onsite during Operational Hours (9am to 9pm through Labor Day Weekend) to greet you at the new Summit Lake NorthShore Park located on South Street in Akron, managed by the City of Akron, Ohio - Mayor's Office and Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition. They welcome visitors to the space, steward the park, assist parkgoers with questions and facilities, and will facilitate the future canoe share program.

Visit our website at ohioeriecanal.org/summit-lake-northshore-park to learn more about them, or stop down to the park and meet them in person! 👋 Over the next few weeks, we'll spotlight each Park Host on our social media.

06/09/2026

06/08/2026

Join us next Saturday, June 20 for the annual Congressman Ralph Regula Memorial Ride on the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail! 🚴

Honor Congressman Ralph and Mary Regula and their dedication to developing the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area and support the ongoing development of the Towpath Trail with a scenic 8, 16 or 32-mile bicycle ride through Stark and Summit counties!

Grab your friends, select a route and enjoy a picnic lunch along the canal at St. Helena Heritage Park: www.ohioeriecanal.org/regula-ride

06/05/2026

It's been a busy few weeks here at the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition and for our new President & Chief Executive Officer, Catherine Timko!

Catherine hit the ground running after Memorial Day Weekend - connecting with staff, partners and community members during her first weeks on the job. She jumped right into project meetings spanning Lock 2, Lock 3, Tuscarawas County, Reimagining the Civic Commons network, and attended a community picnic at the new Summit Lake NorthShore Park honoring Dan Rice. Catherine is excited to keep up the momentum and build upon the organization's many successes over its 37 years in operation.

“As a lifelong resident of Northeast Ohio, I have always enjoyed the multitude of outdoor assets of our region, specifically along the Towpath Trail," Catherine shared. "This role speaks to my interests in engaging with people around shared values, creating more of these experiences for the public.”

06/04/2026

Our Summit Lake Youth Ambassadors wrapped up their first week of the 10-week summer program for neighborhood youth to steward the Summit Lake Park Trailhead and NorthShore Park 🌿

This year we have grown the program to 16 Youth Ambassadors and seven Team Leads, three being promoted students who have participated in the program and shown initiative for multiple years! ⭐️ The team will spend the summer doing beautification projects around the parks and trails, and pick up litter.

Reimagining the Civic Commons

06/03/2026

Grab Dad for a Father's Day Weekend outing or bring a friend for our annual Congressman Ralph Regula Memorial Ride on the Towpath Trail coming up on Saturday, June 20!

Take a round trip adventure along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail! Whether it is 8, 16, or 32 miles, enjoy this leisurely ride on the scenic trail in Stark and Summit counties. ☀️

🚴32 miles: Ride from St. Helena Heritage Park south to Lake Avenue Trailhead, north to Vanderhoof Road, and south back to St. Helena Park.

🚴16 miles: Ride from St. Helena Heritage Park south to Lake Avenue Trailhead in Massillon and back.

🚴8 miles: Ride from St. Helena Heritage Park north to the Village of Clinton and back.

Your ticket includes the ride, SAG support, water stops and box lunch. Register this week to guarantee a free event T-shirt: ohioeriecanal.org/regula-ride

06/01/2026

Tee off for the Towpath Trail on Friday, June 12! ⛳️

Join us for the 24th annual Towpath Classic Golf Outing presented by Cavanaugh Building Corporation! Spend the day on the green for 18 holes (with cart) with a friendly putting contest, awards, a delicious meal and fun raffle prizes in support of the Ohio & Erie Canalway, Towpath Trail, connector trails and public spaces. Will Team Akron Community Foundation continue their winning streak, or will another team take home the overall trophy? 🏆

Can't commit to 18 holes, but still want to support? Hole and Cart sponsorships are still available to have your company represented and recognized at the event.

Register at ohioeriecanal.org/towpath-classic or contact (330) 374-5657.