The Cuyahoga River story is one of redemption, change, recovery, and contrast. The 100-mile river’s headwaters are only 30 miles from its mouth. It travels southwest before turning north. It flows through farmlands, woodlands, suburbs, and cities. The Cuyahoga was once so polluted that it caught fire many times, downstream in Cleveland’s shipping channel. The infamous 1969 blaze helped spark the Clean Water Act, the formation of the US Environmental Protection Agency, and other milestones in the environmental movement. Established soon after in 1974, our national park plays an important role in restoring and protecting the Cuyahoga.

As water quality has improved, fish and the native wildlife that eat fish have come back. Just north of Station Road Bridge is a former heronry where Cuyahoga Valley’s first baby bald eagle fledged in 2007. As you explore the area, look for other signs of recovery: river otters, great blue herons, prothonotary warblers, aquatic turtles, hikers, cyclists, and paddlers. The metal sculpture by Michael Maras is called Return to the River (Cuyahoga Valley National Park). It was dedicated during the Xtinguish Torch Fest in 2019 to celebrate the river’s amazing progress 50 years after the 1969 fire. It reminds us that we can make a difference when we work together.

This exhibit cluster also includes several panels, an audio player with an attached script, a tactile model of a sport fish called muskellunge (or “muskie”), and a tactile model of a bald eagle eating a carp.

From here, you can further explore the river as well as the Ohio & Erie Canal by crossing east over the bridge to the Towpath Trail. Make two quick lefts to see the place where the Brecksville Diversion Dam was removed in 2020. Turn right to head south toward Red Lock Trailhead.

At the yellow Brecksville Station, you can catch Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad or take advantage of the accessible restrooms and drinking water, available year-round.