Canalway Partners

 Canalway Partners is a non-profit cultural heritage organization that serves as a catalyst for projects and programs within the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area in Cuyahoga County. We lead preservation efforts to tell the stories of the historic sites that were impacted by the historic 1832 Ohio & Erie Canalway. Canalway presents educational and recreational programs to connect the public to the history, heritage and environment of the historic and natural sites within the National Heritage Area, including the Towpath Trail, Cuyahoga River and Canal Basin Park: all which are centered around the historic Ohio & Erie Canalway. 

Our goal is to increase the community’s knowledge and appreciation for the National Heritage Area and its history by connecting people to place through programs and events.

Our signature events and programs include:

Towpath Trail Lantern Parade: Welcome spring on the banks of the Cuyahoga River with Canalway's third annual Towpath Trail Lantern Parade. This family-friendly event celebrates light, creativity and sustainability through the creation of lanterns using recycled materials. Participants gather at Sokolowski's Overlook for a 1.6-mile round trip parade to celebrate Spring and shine light on the Towpath Trail with their lantern creations

RiverSweep: RiverSweep is Canalway's annual one-day litter cleanup that focuses on protecting the Cuyahoga River by cleaning up garbage along the Cuyahoga River Valley Corridor. Over the course of 35 years, more than 20,000 volunteers have collected almost 25,000 illegally dumped tires and more than 1.5 million tons of trash. These efforts have discouraged illegal dumping and helped create new parks, trails and greenspaces.

Cuyahoga River Rally: This summer festival celebrates the progress of the Cuyahoga River and the recreational and lifestyle enhancements that clean water provides. The free, day-long river festival invites the public to participate in water recreational activities such as kayak and boat tours, birdwatching, bike tours, riverside yoga, and a Festival Village with partners, activities, and live music. 

Cleveland History Days: Cleveland History Days is a 10-day celebration of Cleveland’s rich history that includes engaging tours and lectures. Canalway partners with more than 40 local cultural and heritage organizations to present more than 50 unique programs.

Towpath Trilogy: Canalway hosts three races throughout the year as a part of its Trilogy Race Series.

The Towpath Half is a Half Marathon and 5-miler held on a Saturday every April and starts at the Ohio & Erie Canalway Exploration Center.

Our nighttime race, the Towpath Twilight, takes runners on a 10-mile, 10k and 5k course, starting at Sokolowski's Overlook.

The last race is The Towpath Marathon, a Boston-qualifying race that includes a marathon, half marathon and 10K, and starts at Canal Basin Park.

Cycle Canalway: Cycle Canalway is a free summer cycling series that provides guided social rides on the Towpath Trail, taking place every third Sunday from May through September. In May, we kick off the event series with a free bike-safety check.