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Construction Updates
Reported in the Barberton Herald, Thursday, April 3, 2008. Workers lowered an already assembled bridge over Tuscarawas River. The progress continues on completing a long-awaited segment of the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath connecting Vanderhoof Road and Snyder Avenue across PPG property. Metro Parks Serving Summit County oversees the towpath in this county.
Reported in the Barberton Herald, Thursday, January 31, 2008. Rich Muller, Herald Staff Writer: Barberton receives grant for towpath project.
The city of Barberton has received a $68,000 grant from the Ohio and Erie Canal Association to build a trailhead and a bridge over the Tuscarawas River to connect with the Ohio and Erie Canal towpath.
The money is a matching grant, which means the city has to come up with money from other sources, including civic organizations, such as the Kiwanis and Rotary clubs, and the Barberton Community Foundation, according to Assistant Planning Director Joe Stefan.
The trailhead will be at the southeast corner of Second Street and Wooster Road West, now the site of a city-owned parking lot. This will connect to the towpath by using a side of the Robinson Avenue bridge that is wide enough for bicycles and separated from automobiles by a concrete barrier. On the east side of the bridge a path, already constructed but blocked off, leads to the Tuscarawas River where the new bridge will be constructed.
Future parts of the project include beautification efforts along the tow-path north of the Wolf Creek trailhead of Snyder Avenue. The efforts will tie in to the section of towpath trail Metro Parks is constructing on PPG property that will fill in a gap between Snyder Avenue in Barberton and Vanderhoof Road in New Franklin.
From the bicycling page web site of the Ohio Department of Transportation, work is underway on Cascade Locks. Work includes a tunnel under Rand Rd. and a bridge over SR59. The project ends at the Quaker/Ash intersection in Akron. Also, construction of a towpath underpass at Waterloo Road, near the south edge of Akron has begun.
From The Silver Ribbon, the publication by the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, a key section of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, the Pedestrian Bridge over Interstate 77 in Bolivar, will be completed in early fall.
The Reauthorization Bill for the Ohio & Erie Canalway was introduced in both the House and the Senate. Senator Voinovich introduced Senate bill S.817, this bill has been placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar in September 2007. Congressman Ralph Regula introduced House bill H.R. 1483, and there was a hearing on the legislation on May 15 by the House Resources Committee. This bill has been passed in the House. The bill now goes on to be voted in the Senate. Please note, debate may be taking place on a companion bill in the Senate, rather than on this particular bill. As of April, 2008 this bill is listed as scheduled for debate.
Check the bills' progress: HR 1483.
Contact Congressman Regula and Senator Voinovich and thank them as well as the Members of the Ohio Delegation for their support.
 Towpath Tags
Support the Trail with a Towpath Tag!
Did you know:
The Towpath Trail is patrolled by park rangers and volunteer Trailblazers. They are available to share information and assist with emergencies. This service costs about $100,000 annually.
The Towpath Trail lies in a flood plain between the canal and the Cuyahoga River. Erosion damage from the river and large storms make more expensive repairs occasionally necessary.
The Towpath Trail is popular, receiving over 2 million visits each year.
Towpath Tags cost just $5 each, and proceeds contribute to trail maintenance.
You may purchase tags in person at the Nature Realm visitors center, daily from noon to 5 p.m., and at the administrative offices, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Test your knowledge of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail
1. Is Nesmith Lake a natural or a man made lake?
A. It is a natural lake;
B. It is a man made lake;
C. It is a private lake owned by a former Monkee.
2. Portage Lake State Park offers many amenities. What doesn't the park offer?
A. Campsites;
B. Hiking trails;
C. An airplane hanger.
3. The city of Barberton was established in 1891 and was founded by:
A. Ohio Columbus Barber;
B. Simon Perkins;
C. Bob Hope.
4. Where along the Towpath Trail can you find Revolutionary War history?
A. Fort Laurens State Memorial;
B: Mustill Store;
C. Hale Farm and Village
5. Proper etiquette of trail use says:
A. Just as while driving, the slower traffic stays to the right, passing is on the left, and give an audible signal in advance while passing to warn other trail users;
B. Do what you want, when you want to;
C. Walk with your dog unleashed, and let your dog tell that horse who is boss on the trail.
6. The Towpath Trail has how many completed miles:
A. 28
B. 73
C. 101
7. Historic Canal Fulton is the only town in the heritage canalway that offers what opportunity?:
A. A canal boat ride;
B. Speed boat rides;
C. A place to shop.
8. The Terminal Tower in downtown Cleveland has several claims to fame, however, which of the following is NOT one of them:
A. It was the main railroad terminal servicing five of the six major passenger lines;
B. Until 1967 it was the tallest building outside of New York City;
C. It was used for the famous scene in King Kong.
9. The start of the Towpath trail is in:
A. Penninsula;
B. Barberton;
C. Cleveland
10. Akron is the direct result of what construction?
A. The Ohio & Erie Canal;
B. The Akron Art Museum;
C. Quaker Square
All questions and answers were taken from the new Towpath Companion. Do you have a question to be included on the next quiz? Email us, at rdbikeshop@yahoo.com.
So how did you do on the test? Did you score a perfect 10? Check the results below, as well as your ranking.
Answers:
1 A
2. C
3. A
4. A
5. A
6. B
7. A
8. C
9. C
10. A
Results:
8-10 Correct -Excellent! You are a frequent visitor to the towpath and you have your Companion in hand when you visit.
6-8 Correct-Pretty good, you don't always bring your Companion with you on your towpath visits, but you do try to stop to read the plaques and visit the sites along the way- and it shows!
3-5 Correct- O. K., but you can do better. You were probably busy riding, jogging or walking when you visited this section of the towpath and you didn't stop to read and learn about the area.
1-2 Correct- Sorry but you did not pass the test. You must not have had a chance to visit the towpath or maybe you down own a Towpath Companion. Suggestion- stop in at R-D Bike Shop and buy your own copy.
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