The News from Cuyahoga Valley

CVNP Home to Healthy Population of Wild Turkeys

It is the time of year to anticipate the holidays and reflect on our holiday traditions. A feast with turkey as the centerpiece is a tradition that seemingly comes straight from the first Thanksgiving. However, the story of the Thanksgiving turkey isn’t as straightforward as it might seem. It takes an interesting and thought-provoking path.

Kaleidoscope: Steaming through CV National Park

Most of us encounter trains all over the place -- when we're on our way to and from work, during vacations and on visits to our relatives' homes.

The locomotives that pull today's trains are diesel-powered. It's rare to see steam locomotives, which disappeared from regular use in the United States by the late 1950s.

But a handful of steam locos have been preserved and still operate, usually pulling special excursion trains. One of those visited Cuyahoga Valley National Park last week.

Kaleidoscope: Steaming through CV National Park

Most of us encounter trains all over the place -- when we're on our way to and from work, during vacations and on visits to our relatives' homes.

Outdoors Benefits Children’s Well-Being

For nearly four years, I have been writing this column to offer insights into visiting Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP). I try to diversify the columns, but I find myself routinely returning to the topic of getting children involved in the outdoors. The National Park Service views this topic as critically important. On the surface it is about our leisure time and how we can have fun with our families. Below the surface, it is about the choices we make that impact the health and well-being of our children.

Boston Trustees Discuss Township Issues

Boston Township Trustee Gerald Ritch told board members at the Aug. 27 meeting that it appeared unlikely the township could obtain state Issue I grant money to repair or replace failed septic systems of some township businesses.

Ritch said a Summit County official told him Coventry Township was able to obtain money in a similar situation, but septic systems are not considered infrastructure, making it unlikely township businesses would qualify.

STOMP Bicycling Event Saturday

As many as 1,400 bicyclists are expected for one of the largest family-oriented bicycling events in Northeast Ohio.

The STOMP 2008 Bicycle Adventure featuring three bicycle tours will be staged Saturday.

The rides will begin and end at Howe Meadow in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park at 4040 Riverview Road, north of Ira Road in Cuyahoga Falls.

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad bike program helps park go green

Jeff Peters of Garrettsville rode his bike Friday afternoon right up to cutting edge of a growing trend in America's national parks: Keep the cars out.

"Hey, the roads don't go where the nature is -- but I can if I bike there," said Peters who had just bicycled about 10 miles Friday morning on the Towpath Trail from Peninsula to Independence.

He returned in the afternoon by loading his bike on a baggage car and hopping a passenger train on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.

Cuyahoga park a national attraction

PENINSULA -- Summer vacation for Kristine Ogle and her family means leaving their home in Colorado and spending a week in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

"The green is amazing, you don't get that in Colorado, it's beautiful, a treat," Ogle said.

One group of cyclists visiting from Nashville were also pleasantly surprised.

"Most people go to national parks in mountains, but this has its own charm," observed Matt Ward.

The 33,000-acre park winds along the Cuyahoga River between Akron and Cleveland. The 20-mile towpath is the perfect place to ride a bike, cast a line, or observe wildlife.

Archaeological dig underway in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

SUMMIT COUNTY: Unless your name is Indiana Jones, chances are pretty slim that you've ever run into an archaeological dig on your way into work.

That is, however, exactly what happened to Channel 3 videographer, Carl Bachtel, Friday morning.

He came across a dig on Everett Road at Riverview Road in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, where Cuyahoga Falls, Boston Township and Peninsula come together.

The site is where archaeologists from Nebraska are doing some work for the National Park Service.

Advocate Ralph Regula Honored for Park Service

U.S. Rep. Ralph Regula, R-Navarre, got a new hat on Sunday.

Regula, who is retiring from Congress after 34 years, was honored in ceremonies that drew about 100 people to an oversize tent near the Everett Road Covered Bridge in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

He was awarded the post of honorary National Park Service ranger, which came with a flat-brimmed hat like that worn by Smokey the Bear, from Sue Masica, chief of staff in the park service's headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park gets funds to draw young people

The Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a winner in a new federal program.

The park will be kicking off a new $341,700 program to get more inner-city youth into the 33,000-acre federal park between Akron and Cleveland.

The program is one of 110 national park projects awarded more than $51.5 million today under President Bush's National Park Centennial Initiative.

The Cuyahoga Valley will get $170,850 in federal funds that will be matched by $170,850 from the friends-of-the-park group, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association.