Volunteers sought for Towpath Trail: Informational meetings to be held Jan. 28
If you’ve ever wanted to make a difference and become a part of something that will serve future generations, now is your opportunity. The Tuscarawas Canal Lands Development Committee is looking for a few good volunteers – no experience necessary.
The committee, which has nine members and was formed in 1992, is working with the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition to extend the Towpath Trail into Tuscarawas County. Two meetings will be held on Saturday, Jan. 28, at 10 a.m. One will be held at the Tuscarawas County YMCA meeting room in Dover and the other will be held at the Zoar School House. An additional weeknight meeting will be held on Thursday, Feb. 2, at 5:30 p.m., at the Zoar School House.
“We wanted to make it easy for people to attend the meetings,” said Brian Ice, a committee member. “We don’t want it to be just a Bolivar-Zoar project, we want it to be a Tuscarawas County project. I think a lot of people would be willing to volunteer if they knew what to do.”
When completed, the 101 miles of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail will run from Cleveland to New Philadelphia. Sections of the trail run through the Cleveland Metro parks, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, downtown Akron, Summit County, Stark County, and Tuscarawas County.
The Towpath Trail follows along the original path of the Ohio & Erie Canal, which was hand dug by Irish and German immigrants from 1825 through 1832. The canal opened up new markets for farmers, allowing them to transport items as far away as New Orleans. The canal was an important part of Ohio history and the Towpath Trail not only provides recreational opportunities but a chance to learn about and preserve our history.
The Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition would like to see all sections of the Towpath Trail completed by 2020.
The Tuscarawas Canal Lands Development Committee has a limited budget and feels the use of volunteers would help make the most of their funds.
“Tuscarawas County is different than Stark or Summit who have parks departments with people on staff able to do the work,” said Ice. With no parks department staffing in Tuscarawas County to work on projects, volunteers will be critical to the efforts to finish the trail. Volunteers who have equipment they would be willing to use for trail building are also needed and encouraged to attend a meeting.
The next section of trail the committee would like to complete will be from County Road 82 to State Route 800, about three miles long. The first project to be completed will be the removal of some trees along the planned route. After that, there are two catwalks that will need to be constructed. To complete the trail a special fabric is installed with crushed limestone placed on top.
“What projects will be done will be based on the interest of the volunteers,” said Ice.
Ice is confident the trail will improve recreational and other opportunities for area residents.
“Studies have been done that show that if trails exist people will use them,” he said. “Trails will make it easier to exercise and help people build exercise into their daily life. If you get a good network of trails, people will consider biking to work.”
Many roads in the county are not bicycle friendly and it’s a problem. “You take your life in your hands to ride,” said Ice. Trails would solve this dilemma and provide an enjoyable experience for all.
If you plan to attend one of the meetings, contact Sue Reid at 330-374-5657 or email sreid@ohioeriecanal.org. If you are unable to attend but would like to volunteer, contact Reid or call Brian Ice at 330-340-6348.
The committee is also accepting donations to complete work on the trail. Checks may be sent to The Tuscarawas Canal Lands Development Committee, in care of Scott Reynolds, 125 East High Ave., Room 212, New Philadelphia 44663.
The committee, which has nine members and was formed in 1992, is working with the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition to extend the Towpath Trail into Tuscarawas County. Two meetings will be held on Saturday, Jan. 28, at 10 a.m. One will be held at the Tuscarawas County YMCA meeting room in Dover and the other will be held at the Zoar School House. An additional weeknight meeting will be held on Thursday, Feb. 2, at 5:30 p.m., at the Zoar School House.
“We wanted to make it easy for people to attend the meetings,” said Brian Ice, a committee member. “We don’t want it to be just a Bolivar-Zoar project, we want it to be a Tuscarawas County project. I think a lot of people would be willing to volunteer if they knew what to do.”
When completed, the 101 miles of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail will run from Cleveland to New Philadelphia. Sections of the trail run through the Cleveland Metro parks, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, downtown Akron, Summit County, Stark County, and Tuscarawas County.
The Towpath Trail follows along the original path of the Ohio & Erie Canal, which was hand dug by Irish and German immigrants from 1825 through 1832. The canal opened up new markets for farmers, allowing them to transport items as far away as New Orleans. The canal was an important part of Ohio history and the Towpath Trail not only provides recreational opportunities but a chance to learn about and preserve our history.
The Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition would like to see all sections of the Towpath Trail completed by 2020.
The Tuscarawas Canal Lands Development Committee has a limited budget and feels the use of volunteers would help make the most of their funds.
“Tuscarawas County is different than Stark or Summit who have parks departments with people on staff able to do the work,” said Ice. With no parks department staffing in Tuscarawas County to work on projects, volunteers will be critical to the efforts to finish the trail. Volunteers who have equipment they would be willing to use for trail building are also needed and encouraged to attend a meeting.
The next section of trail the committee would like to complete will be from County Road 82 to State Route 800, about three miles long. The first project to be completed will be the removal of some trees along the planned route. After that, there are two catwalks that will need to be constructed. To complete the trail a special fabric is installed with crushed limestone placed on top.
“What projects will be done will be based on the interest of the volunteers,” said Ice.
Ice is confident the trail will improve recreational and other opportunities for area residents.
“Studies have been done that show that if trails exist people will use them,” he said. “Trails will make it easier to exercise and help people build exercise into their daily life. If you get a good network of trails, people will consider biking to work.”
Many roads in the county are not bicycle friendly and it’s a problem. “You take your life in your hands to ride,” said Ice. Trails would solve this dilemma and provide an enjoyable experience for all.
If you plan to attend one of the meetings, contact Sue Reid at 330-374-5657 or email sreid@ohioeriecanal.org. If you are unable to attend but would like to volunteer, contact Reid or call Brian Ice at 330-340-6348.
The committee is also accepting donations to complete work on the trail. Checks may be sent to The Tuscarawas Canal Lands Development Committee, in care of Scott Reynolds, 125 East High Ave., Room 212, New Philadelphia 44663.
Published: January 17, 2012
