• Image of bluebells in the spring

    Cuyahoga Valley

    National Park Ohio

There are park alerts in effect.
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  • Canal Visitor Center Closure

    Canal Visitor Center will be closed for construction, starting Monday, May 6, 2013. It will reopen with new exhibits in early 2014.

  • Riverview Road Closure

    Riverview Rd from the Cuyahoga Falls line north to the Peninsula line will be re-paved, beginning the week of April 22. Expect delays. Flaggers will direct traffic. Work is expected to be completed by Memorial Day weekend.

  • Towpath Trail Closure

    NPS has closed the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail from Hillside Road to Stone Road in Valley View. A section of the trail is not passable due to hazardous conditions caused by erosion. Towpath is expected to be open by Memorial Day, May 27.

  • Bald Eagle Closure in Effect

    RR tracks, and 30 foot right of way on either side, are closed to all foot traffic from the Rt. 82 Bridge at Station Rd, north to the RR tracks at. The Cuyahoga R. downstream of the Brecksville Dam to the Fitzwater Rd Bridge is closed to water activities.

Habitat Restoration

HABITAT RESTORATION VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Help preserve biodiversity in your national park!

 Sign Up:
Advance registration is recommended; and required if you are with a group of five (5) or more. To register, contact the volunteer office at 330-657-2299 or volunteer@forcvnp.org.

Things to know before you come:

  • Wear comfortable work clothes, long pants, and sturdy shoes or boots (must be closed toe). Bring your completed Volunteer Agreement Form, full water bottle, work gloves, snack, hat, and sunscreen.
  • We will provide work gloves, safety glasses, and all necessary tools, and supplies. Instruction and safety guidelines will be provided on-site.
  • Meet at the listed "Meeting Location" at the start time - instructions will be provided, and then the crew will hike to project site together.
  • All participants must follow safety guidelines.
 
Volunteers planting trees.

Photo by NPS/Peter Wilson

Plant Trees and Native Vegetation
Help restore CVNP's native habitat by planting trees, shrubs, and other native vegetation. Ages 7 and up with parent or guardian supervision. Ages 16 and up with a parent or guardian-signed Volunteer Agreement. Advance registration is required for planting projects to volunteer@forcvnp.org or 330-657-2299. Click on the event names for more information.

2013 Schedule
RiverDay: Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m. - noon or 1 - 3 p.m.



 
Removing multiflora rose.

Photo by NPS/Arrye Rosser

Remove Invasive Plants
Use hand tools (loppers and saws) to remove invasive shrubs, such as honeysuckle and autumn olive, and pile the cut vegetation. Ages 10 and up with parent or guardian supervision. Ages 16 and up with a parent or guardian-signed Volunteer Agreement. Locations will be posted 3 weeks in advance.

2013 Schedule
Thursday, May 9, 1 - 4 p.m. at Station Road Bridge Trailhead
RiverDay: Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m. - noon or 1 - 3 p.m.
Thursday, June 13, 1 - 4 p.m. at Hampton Hills Play Field
Saturday, June 22, 10 a.m. - noon at Hampton Hills Play Field
Thursday, July 11, 1 - 4 p.m.
Saturday, July 27, 10 a.m. - noon
Thursday, August 8, 1 - 4 p.m.
Saturday, August 24, 10 a.m. - noon
Thursday, September 12, 1 - 4 p.m.
Thursday, October 10, 10 a.m. - noon


Project Locations:

  • Hampton Hills Play Field: 1940 W. Steels Corners Road in Cuyahoga Falls 44223. Follow the red "volunteer event" signs to the registration table.
  • Station Road Bridge Trailhead: 13513 Station Road in Brecksville 44141.
 

Collect Seeds from Native Plants
Locations will be posted at least 3 days in advance.

2013 Schedule
Tuesday, September 3, 1 - 3 p.m.
Tuesday, September 17, 1 - 3 p.m.
Tuesday, October 1, 1 - 3 p.m.
Tuesday, October 15, 1 - 3 p.m.

Did You Know?

Monarch Butterfly - US Fish and Wildlife Service Photo

Early September is the time to watch monarchs feed in Cuyahoga Valley fields rich with goldenrod and New England aster. These places serve as important re-fueling sites for these long distance travelers on their way to oyamel forests near Mexico City more than 2,000 miles away.