A proposed water trail linking downtown Akron with the Portage Lakes via the Ohio & Erie Canal could establish designated connections for recreation by canoe, kayak and nonmotorized boat.The proposal also could establish routes along area lakes and waterways.That might include a small canal lock connecting Long Lake to the canal on the Akron-Coventry Township border, creating a long-desired water link between the Portage Lakes and downtown Akron.A number of public and private put-ins and take-outs for paddlers have been tentatively identified, from Nimisila Reservoir in Green north to near West Exchange Street on the canal in downtown Akron.The proposed paddle route also might connect to downtown Barberton via the canal and the Tuscarawas River.A few portages would have to be established between bodies of water.These possible scenarios will be the subject of a public meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at Firestone Metro Parks’ Coventry Oaks Pavilion, 40 Axline Road, Akron.The meeting — arranged by Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, and the Akron-based Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition — will be the public’s first chance to comment on the proposal.The route through the Portage Lakes — it might be marked by buoys — would run from Long Lake to nearby Firestone Metro Park and south through North Reservoir, East Reservoir, West Reservoir, Turkeyfoot Lake and Rex Lake to Nimisila Reservoir and the Portage Lake State Park campground.A small boat could offer commercial cruises along the water trail via the canal, supporters said.The boat would have to be small because the canal is narrow and shallow and there is a posted speed limit of 6 mph on the canal.The water trail proposal is “still in the conceptual stage,” said Dan Rice, president and chief executive of the canalway group.It has won strong support from a small group of stakeholders, but organizers are hoping for strong public support at Monday’s meeting, he said.The paddling route could boost tourism and economic development, as well as nurture support for clean water and attract young professionals, supporters say.Additional public meetings will be held Dec. 21 and Feb. 20. Both will be from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Coventry Oaks Pavilion. A final report on the proposal is to be released at the February meeting.That report could serve as a master plan for participating communities and be used to secure funding for paddling improvements and win a state water trail designation.The park district got $33,000 from Summit County to help fund the study, to be undertaken by the Floyd Browne Group, an Akron-based consulting firm. The park district got an additional $17,500 from Northern Ohio Golf Charities. The park district also is providing $3,500, said park planner David Whited.The park district is working on the study with the cities of Akron, New Franklin and Green, along with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the National Park Service and Rice’s group.For information about the proposal, go to www.
summitmetroparks.org. Go to News and then Construction.Comments should be sent to metroparksssc@gmail.com or Regional Water Trail Master Plan, 975 Treaty Line Road, Akron 44313.A similar water trail for paddlers has been proposed in northern Summit, Portage, Geauga and Cuyahoga counties along the Cuyahoga River.At present, Ohio has seven state-designated water trails: along the Muskingum, Kokosing, Great Miami, Mad and Stillwater rivers and two on Lake Erie.Bob Downing can be contacted at 330-996-3745 or bdowning@thebeaconjournal.com.