The Henry County Park District

 

Henry County Office Complex

1853 Oakwood Avenue

Napoleon, Oh  43545

 
 

 
                                               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Henry County Park District was organized in 2005 to become stewards of the land, and help facilitate the recreational and heritage interests of residents and visitors of Henry County, Ohio. The District- which is all volunteers- has entered into lease agreements with the State of Ohio to lease State owned Canal Lands across Henry County.

In conjunction with the Buckeye Trail Association,  the former Miami and Erie Canal Towpath is being converted into a hiking/biking trail along the towpath of the Miami & Erie Canal adjacent to the Maumee River. This effort represents the first time the Canal lands have been cleared and used for the public benefit since the canals were abandoned in the nineteenth century.  The trail is part of “The Buckeye Trail”- the longest loop trail in the United States. The Buckeye Trail encircles the State of Ohio and covers approximately 1444 miles. In addition to the Buckeye Trail, the Trail is also part of the “North Country Trail”. The North Country Trail is one of seven National Park Service’s trails including the well-known Appalachian Trail.

 
 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Current Park District Projects

 

 

Miami & Erie Canal Towpath Trail:  Continuous efforts are under way  to continue clearing the towpath and making it accessible. In addition, grants are currently under way to construct parking areas in several spots to make the trail more readily available. Work along the trail is being completed by all volunteers.

 

If you would like to help on the trail, click on this link.

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Maumee River “Water Trail”  The State of Ohio currently offers a State designation called “Ohio Water Trail.” The designation is intended for rivers that offer a continuous “trail” of water with many access points for “paddle-sport” enthusiasts, such as Canoe, Kayak, and Tube riders. Knowing that the Maumee River is adjacent to the towpath hiking trail, the “Water Trail” would add another dimension to the Trail experience along the Maumee River. There are many benefits to obtaining this designation. Besides the obvious recreational opportunities, having the designation will aid in gaining more regional Travel & Tourism benefits including economic benefits to all areas.

 

If you would like to learn more about “Water Trails” follow this link.

 

If you would like to Show Support for the effort, click on this link. 

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Buckeye Trail Logo                               

 

 

         

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

Henry County Miami, Wabash & Erie Canal Towpath Hiking Trail

                       

A Section of the Buckeye Trail and the North Country National Trail in Northwest Ohio

 

Henry County's Tow Path Hiking Trail is a beautiful area to hike, bike and cross country ski. Picturesque river vistas appear constantly through the brush as the trail winds along the Scenic Maumee River, and the Miami, Wabash, and Erie Canal..  Step back in time to the 19th Century when canals were a major national transportation route.  Walk along the same path taken by countless ancestors from a simpler, slower time- just 150 years ago. Most of the earth works are still intact.

The river route was used by many famous settlers in the “Old Northwest” including the route of  Jean Baptiste Bissot, Sieur de Vincennes French Army from Fort Wayne to Fort Detroit in 1712, General Anthony Wayne's Army’s march up the Maumee in 1794, Indian traders, French Canadian Traders, flat boat oarsmen, and canal boat captains.  See the work of Native American, Irish and French workers who built the canal in the mid 1800’s

 
 
                                               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maumee River Water Trail

 

Henry County Park District supports the Water Trail initiative for the communities of  Northwest Ohio. By increasing the recreational opportunities for Northwest Ohio,  our area will become a destination for many who seek recreational and heritage opportunities.

 

To learn more about Ohio Water Trails, visit  the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Water Trails web-site.

 

To learn how the process works, click here .      

 

Visit The National Park Service Water Trail Page