Awardees include programs that enhance the Towpath Trail and the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area, grant apps open for 2020 funding.
The Ohio & Erie Canalway Association (OECA) has awarded $286,200 to 15 regional organizations for projects and programs within the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area, which includes Cuyahoga, Summit, Stark and Tuscarawas counties. Summit County winners include Summit County Historical Society, Summit Metro Parks and the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
The organization funded the projects through its Strategic Initiative Program, a competitive grant program that funds organizations and political subdivisions that enhance the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area—which extends 110 miles from Cleveland to New Philadelphia.
The 2019 projects will receive funding to support the following initiatives:
- (Corridor-wide) Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad: Renovation of Coach 6217, $15,000
Summit County:
- Summit County Historical Society: Work related to the John Brown House, $35,000
- Summit Metro Parks: Towpath Trail interpretation and fencing, $30,000
- Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park: Complete work related to the Stanford Trailhead construction project, $35,000
Cuyahoga County:
- Western Reserve Historical Society/Hale Farm: Steeple restoration, $10,000
- Historic Gateway Neighborhood: Take a Hike Heritage Tourism program, $10,000
- Historic Warehouse District Development Corp: Creation of Lighthouse Park, $40,000
- LAND Studio Inc.: Design and plans for Hilltop Park, $23,000
- West Creek Conservancy: Create wayfinding & signage strategic plan for Cuyahoga Water River Trail (that runs 93-miles), $7,000
Tuscarawas County:
- Zoar Community Association: Creation and installation of Fort Laurens storyboards, $6,200
- Historic Canal Dover Association: Dover Downtown and Riverfront revitalization and master plan, $5,000
- Lawrence Township Trustees: Purchase a Lawrence Township Steiner, $10,000
- City of Dover: Canal Dover Park, Wooster Ave. access engineering, $31,000
- Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition: McDonnell to Bolivar Towpath construction, $25,000
- City of New Philadelphia; East High Trail connectivity plan, $4,000
OECA operates as a regional extension of its two founding organizations: Canalway Partners, representing Cuyahoga County, and the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, representing the southern three counties of Summit, Stark and Tuscarawas.
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—and grants are now open for 2020.
To be eligible, you must be considered a nonprofit organization, a State of Ohio Political Subdivision or another person/project that falls within the boundaries of the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area and apply by Jan. 11, 2020, at ohioanderiecanalway.com/learn/strategic-initiatives/.
