Tuscarawas County Parks Department seeks enthusiasts for Adopt-A-Trail program

The Tuscarawas County Parks Department, or TUSCParks, is looking for a little help in cleaning up and maintaining the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail, which passes through the county. The Adopt-A-Trail program is underway with more volunteers needed, according to TUSCParks coordinator Jane Clay.

“We were looking for a way to bring the community into the project and used the ODOT model with their Adopt-A-Highway effort. We just switched it to the trail instead,” Clay said.

Clay said the plan is for area groups and organizations to adopt sections of the trail. “How many people are needed will depend on the size of the group and how much of the trail they’re willing to take on. It’s not firmly set how large each adoptable section of the trail will be. For example one group has adopted the locks and the surrounding area, but a group could take on a smaller section easily. We’re happy to work with people’s interests, their time commitment intentions and how much physical activity they want to take on.”

Each group will be expected to organize at least four Adopt-A-Trail activities throughout the year. “But most groups are going out more frequently,” Clay said. “The Bolivar-Zoar Rotary Club, for example, has been out to the trail cleaning up once a month, and they’ve made a real difference in the way it looks and how enjoyable it can be for people using it. I know they have really enjoyed the project, and the results show it.”

The Adopt-A-Trail program entails general trail clean-up with removal of encroaching brush and weeds, removal of litter, and general visual improvement.

“Volunteers would cut back some brush, clean the path marker signs and remove some invasive plant species,” Clay said.

Volunteers will have guidance from park staff members to help with the process. There is no cost to become involved in adopting a section of the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail, but Clay also pointed out there is no compensation beyond the satisfaction of doing something important.

“We wanted to invite people in the community to come out and take ownership of this section of the trail as a point of pride,” she said.

The section of trail to be cleaned up includes a 6-mile-long path from Fort Laurens in Bolivar to state Route 800 near Zoarville. Clean-up projects began in 2018.

“So far it has been really wonderful with a lot of support and hard work from volunteers,” Clay said.

The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail is open every day year round unless portions of the trail are under water.

Clay said TUSCParks also would welcome the assistance of any organization or business that would like to become involved as a sponsor for Adopt-A-Trail. “It’s a part of the process we haven’t really reached yet, but we would love to have some sponsorship for the clean-up volunteer program,” she said.

Clay said to adopt a section of the trail, there is a simple agreement covering what volunteers are expected to do, as well as what they must not do. “It just explains things like litter removal and that you can’t cut down any big trees along the trail, that kind of thing.”

Anyone who would like to learn more or adopt a part of the trail can reach Clay at parkdept@co.tuscarawas.oh.us, or one can call her office at 330-365-3278.

The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail covers a total of 87 miles and offers walking, running, bicycling, horseback riding and opportunities to observe the natural world. It closely follows the path of the old canal route through the state. More information about the trail is at www.ohioanderiecanalway.com.