Restoring Open Space through the Great American Outdoors Act

The National Park Service is working to protect critical resources for the recreational and educational benefit of the visiting public through the Legacy Restoration Fund, created by the Great American Outdoors Act.

Projects funded by the historic Legacy Restoration Fund reduce overall maintenance costs, remove safety hazards, make park land available for restoration, and enhance public recreational access. At Cuyahoga Valley, we are removing deteriorating non-historic structures and protecting existing recreational amenities.

Removal of structures after acquiring properties is part of the overall plan of renewal of the Cuyahoga River Valley. When the park was established, boundaries were outlined, and properties were acquired with the intention of returning the land to a natural state. Removal of deteriorating structures removes safety hazards and makes the land available for habitat restoration and new recreational uses, which provides opportunities to increase public access.

 

A newly reopened section of the Towpath Trail after riverbank stabilization work.

NPS / Tim Fenner

Stabilizing the riverbank for continued access

Rivers naturally erode the soil along their banks. Having infrastructure like the Towpath Trail and railroad next to the river makes it challenging to maintain them. Cuyahoga Valley National Park received funding from the Great American Outdoors Act’s Legacy Restoration Fund to stabilize eight locations along the Cuyahoga River. Work began in 2023 and is largely complete as of early 2025. For more information check out our news releases below.

 

Krejci dump has been cleaned up and restored to a natural state - one of many restoration projects at the park.

NPS / Chris Davis

Building on past successes

The park has successfully completed other renewal projects leading up to these newly funded projects. These projects include: Wetmore restoration, Krejci cleanup and restoration, reforestation, invasive plant removal and control, conversion of a historic building into the Boston Mill Visitor Center, establishment of the Cuyahoga River Water Trail, and a Community Access Plan for the future which includes robust public involvement. These projects are an investment in the future of Cuyahoga Valley National Park.