• Photo of the Beaver Marsh by Jeffrey Gibson.

    Cuyahoga Valley

    National Park Ohio

  • Canal Road Partially Closed Monday May 14, 2012

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    Ice Box Cave, located in the Ritchie Ledges, is now closed in an effort to slow the spread of a disease to our bat population. More »

Trail Restrictions in Effect for Nesting Bald Eagles

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Date: February 6, 2012
Contact: Mary Pat Doorley, 440-546-5995

Brecksville, Ohio - On February 6, 2012 there were positive signs of bald eagle nesting activity in the Pinery Narrows area in Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP). Therefore, the area surrounding the nest will be closed and trail restrictions are now in effect until July 31. The Pinery Narrows area is north of Station Road Bridge Trailhead in Brecksville, Ohio.

While the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail remains open, the National Park Service will close certain areas surrounding the bald eagle nest to human traffic to minimize disturbance. Additional restrictions include the following:

 

  • The railroad tracks and 30-foot right-of-way on either side are closed to all pedestrian traffic, from the Route 82 Bridge at Station Road visitor use area north to the railroad tracks at Fitzwater Road.
  • The Cuyahoga River downstream of the Brecksville Dam to the Fitzwater Road Bridge is closed to all water activities (boating, fishing, and wading.)

Please observe any posted trail restrictions north of the Station Road Bridge Trailhead within the eagle nesting zone.

In late winter eagles lay one to three eggs that are incubated for approximately 35 days. Eagle eggs are extremely sensitive to cold temperatures so adults must remain on the nest constantly. Human disturbance can disrupt this constant care, jeopardizing nesting success.

Although recently removed from the endangered species list, the bald eagle is still protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Both federal laws prohibit taking, killing, selling or otherwise harming eagles, their nests or eggs. Bald eagles returned to the Cuyahoga Valley in 2006, after an absence of 70 years.

CVNP encompasses 33,000 acres along the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron, Ohio. Managed by the National Park Service, CVNP combines cultural, historical, recreational, and natural activities in one setting. For more information visit www.nps.gov/cuva or www.dayinthevalley.com or call 330-657-2752 or 800-257-9477.

-NPS-

Download a pdf of this news release.

Did You Know?

Historic photo of canal boats along the Ohio & Erie Canal.

The Ohio & Erie Canal, which runs through Cuyahoga Valley National Park, was a 308-mile waterway connecting Lake Erie to the Ohio River. This transportation route, which influenced local and national prosperity, was dug entirely by hand by mostly German and Irish immigrants.