CLEVELAND, Ohio – Legislation approved Monday by Cleveland City Council will clear the way for improvements to Canal Basin Park, the trailhead for a section of the Towpath Trail.
The park, expected to cost nearly $757,000, will be developed using excess parking spaces at the site adjacent to Columbus Road below the Detroit-Superior Bridge.
Council President Kevin Kelley described the park as a “giant step forward” toward connecting the Towpath Trail to the downtown.
Councilman Kerry McCormack, who’s ward includes Canal Basin Park as well as areas the Towpath Trail runs through to connect with Tremont, described the park as a “big friendly deal.”
More than $550,000 will be covered by federal funding. Cleveland’s share will top $206,000.
ODOT has said it expects construction to start the project by August, said Matthew Spronz, Mayor Frank Jackson’s director of capital projects.
The project will involve tree plantings and creation of grassy areas and the addition of benches. An open-air pavilion is planned for the site in the future.
In 2022, Cleveland Metroparks plans to build 12 docks for day-use boaters at the edge of the park, creating a new link between land and water.
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