The Ohio & Erie Canalway is a National Heritage Area, designated by Congress in 1996. At its core, the Ohio & Erie Canalway celebrates the significance of the Ohio & Erie Canal and its legacy to the region and nation. It offers opportunities to discover our canal history, as well as a myriad of interconnected places and stories.

However, the Canalway is not just about the past. It is also about the present sense of place our communities feel, and is a source of inspiration and economic development for envisioning our future. The cultural, historical, recreational and natural resources of the Ohio & Erie Canalway add to the quality of life in the counties of Cuyahoga, Summit, Stark and Tuscarawas in northeastern Ohio.

Annually, more than 2.5 million Americans find their way to the iconic, soon-to-be 101-mile Towpath Trail running through the heart of the Canalway. The historic Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad and the nationally designated America’s Byway offer alternate travel options through the National Heritage Area.

What is a National Heritage Area?

The Ohio & Erie Canalway is just one of 61 areas across the nation to be designated a National Heritage Area. What does that mean? Learn more about what makes a National Heritage Area special.

Working Together & Making a Difference

The Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, the County Park Districts of Cuyahoga, Summit, Stark and Tuscarawas counties all work together with communities and organizations to restore, build and replenish the resources of the region that collectively tell our story.

Since receiving its National Heritage Area designation in 1996, the Ohio & Erie Canalway has leveraged upwards of $350 million in federal, state, local and private investments throughout the region. The collaborative community spirit at the heart of every National Heritage Area remains the hallmark of Ohio & Erie Canalway programs and projects that continue to help Ohio grow.

To learn more about our distributions of funds to local partners, visit our page on strategic initiatives.