20+ mile water trail across Lake Erie in Cuyahoga County receives official designation by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Cleveland Metroparks, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and representatives from several lakefront communities today celebrated the official state designation of the Lake Erie Water Trail – Cuyahoga County. The 20+ mile water trail along Lake Erie spans from Huntington Beach on the western edge of Cuyahoga County to Sims Park on the eastern edge of Cuyahoga County. The Lake Erie Water Trail – Cuyahoga County is the 16th water trail to receive the state designation.
ODNR Director Mary Mertz officially designated the Lake Erie Water Trail at a ceremony at Wendy Park alongside Cleveland Metroparks, representatives from lakefront communities, and local paddlers.
“We’re excited to officially open the Lake Erie Water Trail and help connect our region with our greatest asset – Lake Erie,” said Cleveland Metroparks CEO Brian M. Zimmerman. “I want to thank our community partners and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for this designation that helps generate awareness of opportunities, education and the importance of safety when exploring our lake. We hope this trail will also encourage future water trail connections along Lake Erie with Lorain County on the west and Lake County on the east.”
A water trail is a stretch of waterway designated as a recreational opportunity through maps, signage and informational resources. Designated water trails feature official access points, amenities and safety information. The Lake Erie Water Trail features over a dozen access points with informational signage and helps promote public use of Lake Erie, support tourism and encourage conservation and stewardship.
“The Lake Erie Water Trail joins a network of nearly 1,000 miles of designated trails across Ohio that offer exceptional opportunities for Ohioans to see and explore our state from the water,” ODNR Director Mary Mertz said. “Trails on the Blanchard, Cuyahoga, Great Miami, Muskingum, Mahoning, Maumee, Kokosing, and Tuscarawas rivers, the Lake Erie Islands and now the Lake Erie Water Trail bring communities together, encourage environmental awareness, and provide opportunities for people of all ages to be active and get outdoors.”
The Lake Erie Water Trail has 13 access points with various amenities including parking, paddle access, rest areas as well as concessions. Access and rest stops include:
- Huntington Beach
- Columbia Park (rest area)
- Bradstreet’s Landing
- Emerald Necklace Marina
- Perkins Beach
- Edgewater Beach
- Wendy Park
- Merwin’s Wharf
- E. 9th / North Coast Harbor (rest area)
- E. 55th Street Marina (rest area)
- Gordon Park
- Wildwood Park
- Sims Park
The Lake Erie Water Trail was developed by Cleveland Metroparks alongside project partners including the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Port of Cleveland, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, United States Coast Guard, United States Army Corps of Engineers, City of Euclid, City of Cleveland, Village of Bratenahl, City of Lakewood, City of Bay Village and City of Rocky River.
Information and maps on the trail can now be found on the new Cleveland Metroparks mobile app as well as
clevelandmetroparks.com/paddlesafety. For additional information on state designated water trails, visit:
ohiodnr.gov.
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