Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Description
Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) protects over 33,000 acres along the banks of the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron, Ohio. CVNP combines cultural, historical, and natural resources and visitor activities in one setting. CVNP is managed by the National Park Service, a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Interior. The park is surrounded by15 cities, villages and townships; 7 school districts and 2 metropolitan park districts.| Superintendent - Craig Kenkel | |
| FY14 Base Operating Budget | |
| FY16 | 10.7 million |
| Visitation | |
| FY16 | 2,423,391 |
| Employees | |
| 95 permanent | 25 temporary |
| Volunteers | |
| 6,281 volunteers | 208,895 hours |
| Acreage | |
| 32,950 acres | |
| Federal | 19,113 |
| Non-federal | 13,837 |
| Public land | 8,962 |
| Private land | 1,638 |
| Private with NPS easements |
1,321 |
| Private institutional ownership |
1,423 |
Visitation Statistics
2010: 2,492,670 (#10 most visited national park site in 2010)
2011: 2,161,185 (#10 most visited national park site in 2011)
2012: 2,299,722 (#10 most visited national park site in 2012)
2013: 2,103,010 (#11 most visited national park site in 2013)
2014: 2,189,849 (#11 most visited national park site in 2014)
2015: 2,284,612 (#11 most visited national park site in 2015)
2016: 2,423,391 (#11 most visited national park site in 2016)
The Park's Creation
Enabling Legislation: December 27, 1974, P.L. 93-555 (Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area)
Name Change Legislation: October 11, 2000, P.L. 106-291 (Cuyahoga Valley National Park)
Purpose
To preserve and protect for public use and enjoyment the historic, scenic, natural, and recreational values of the Cuyahoga River Valley and to maintain the open space necessary to the urban environment.
Mission
To preserve and protect for public use and enjoyment the historic, scenic, natural, and recreational values of the Cuyahoga River Valley, to maintain the open space necessary for the urban environment, and to provide for the recreational and educational needs of the visiting public.
Vision Statement
By fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and superior public service, CVNP will be widely recognized as a leader among national parks, and serving internationally as a symbol of human, urban, and ecosystem renewal.
Features/Programs
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is located within a one-hour drive of the four million people in the greater Cleveland/Akron/Canton metropolitan area. Some 250 historic structures, including residential and farming properties, are located in the park, in addition to the nationally significant Ohio & Erie Canal and the Valley Railway. Protection of NPS-owned historic properties continues with a focus on rehabilitating historic structures and the railroad, and the restoration of disturbed areas. The natural resources of the park include a remarkable and thriving wildlife population in an urban area where development continuously reduces the amount of available open space. The park offers visitors over 140 miles of hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding trails. Visitor services include the Boston Store Visitor Center and the Canal Exploration Center, a new attraction for in-depth canal experience and learning. In addition to regular public interpretive programs, the park also offers focused educational programs, including the Junior Ranger Program, the residential Environmental Education Center, and a strong school services program. Each winter the park hosts the Ohio Special Olympics and the Towpath Marathon.
Partnerships
NPS has three main non-profit partners that assists and support the visitor experiences in CVNP. The Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park, CVNP’s friends group, provides assistance with the park's cultural arts and education programs. The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad provides opportunities for scenic excursions and as an alternative means of transportation through the national park. The Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy works to manage cultural landscapes in the park through the Countryside Initiative, a long-term agricultural leasing program. Within park boundaries are numerous other publicly oriented operations, including Blossom Music Center (the summer home of The Cleveland Orchestra); Hale Farm & Village (operated by The Western Reserve Historical Society); Boy Scout and Girl Scout camps; Cleveland Metroparks; Summit Metro Parks; Boston Mills/Brandywine Ski Resorts; golf courses; and other facilities that offer opportunities compatible with NPS goals.
- Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park
- Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
- Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy
- Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area
Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area
The Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area is designated by Congress to help preserve and celebrate the rails, trails, landscapes, towns and sites that grew up along the first 110 miles of the canal that helped Ohio and our nation grow. Visitors can experience the heritage area and CVNP using the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, and America's Scenic Byway.
Updated: June 28, 2018