AKRON CANAL
LANDS AND TRAILS, AKRON, OHIO

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

 

The City of Akron embarked upon a strategic plan to preserve important greenspace and older parks during the late 1960’s and early 1970’s.  An additional element of this planning was to create an effective plan for pedestrian walks and bikeways throughout the city.  

 

This trail system was to supplement the existing street right-of-way’s and utilize drainage ways, existing parklands, other public lands or easements.  This system was also envisioned to connect north of Akron into the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area and south of Akron along a trail system that would utilize state canal lands and provide opportunities for historic preservation, cultural interpretation and stimulate local economic growth.  

 

Creating an initial city-wide trail system plan for bike and hiking trail was key to acquiring the canal lands from the State of Ohio.  Gary Meisner prepared that plan with other city planning staff while he served as City Design Administrator and Chief Recreation Planner.  He managed several key phases of the trail system implementation.