River access, greenspace, wildlife…
all in the heart of the Flats

Scranton Flats, the first publicly funded section of the Towpath in Cleveland, is now open.

On July 7th 2014, Scranton Flats was handed back to the people of Northeast Ohio. Gone are the pollution, dense and uncontrolled foliage, and abandoned marina. In its place are native plants that draw birds and wildlife, natural riverbanks designed to harbor fish, and, of course, the Towpath Trail. It is the first step in connecting the Towpath to downtown, and creating an uninterrupted trail that links Cleveland, Akron, Massillon, and beyond.

Project Deliverables–

Restores 2,800 feet of natural shoreline
Creates a major fish habitat – transforming the boat marina into two-acre habitat
Provides first publicly built 2/3 mile section of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail in Cleveland
Remediates and restores nine acres of upland into meadowland
Positions the Cuyahoga River fish habitat as a national model for urban shipping lanes
Fuels momentum for completion of the Towpath Trail in Cleveland and the development of Canal Basin Park -a signature destination for Cleveland, NEO and the National Heritage Area

Partner Organizations–

Canalway Partners

Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District

Ohio EPA

Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area

Trust for Public Land

Funding Sources–

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Fund – $3 million – the largest combined award for a project