River access and Green Space in The Flats
Previously home to an unused marina and industrial scenery, Scranton Flats is now a natural amenity featuring 9 acres of restored meadowland, a two-acre fish habitat, a large section of restored natural river shoreline, a river boardwalk and the Towpath Trail.
Easily accessible via a trailhead with public parking at Sokolowski’s Overlook and the connection to the Cleveland Foundation Centennial Trail, this section of the Towpath Trail is a popular location for its natural amenities and its spectacular views of the downtown Cleveland skyline.
Completing Scranton Flats
Completed in 2014, Scranton Flats was Stage 4 of the Cuyahoga County portion of the Towpath Trail Extension Project and the first publicly funded section of that project. Scranton Flats was the first connection between downtown Cleveland and the southern portion of the Towpath.
Learn more about the project in this video from the 2014 Scranton Flats Towpath Trail Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.
Partner Organizations
- Canalway Partners
- City of Cleveland
- Cleveland Metroparks
- Cuyahoga County
- Cuyahoga RAP
- 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
- Clean Ohio Conservation Fund – $3.175 million
- State of Ohio Cultural Arts Facilities –$500,000
- Clean Ohio Trail Grant – $425,000
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife – $134,069
In the News
- Scranton Flats Wins $3 Million in Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Funds
- Next Phase of Towpath Trail Opens in Cleveland’s Flats; WCPN 7/8/2014
- Cleveland’s Excellent New Scraton Flats Trail to be Dedicated July 7th; Cleveland Plain Dealer, 7/1/2014
Photos
- Cuyahoga County has documented the transformation of Scranton Flats through photos and video updates.
- There are ribbon-cutting photos online from Sustainable Cleveland and Straight Shooter
Get directions to Scranton Flats | Ohio & Erie Canalway Towpath Trail Visitors Page | Learn about Canal Basin Park