The fifth annual Cuyahoga Connects (formerly the CWIOFB “Cleveland’s Waterfront is Open for Business” press conference and mixer), convened by Share the River on behalf of the Cuyahoga River Safety Task Force (CRSTF) will be held Wednesday May 21 from 3:00-5:30 p.m. at Collision Bend Brewing Co.

Cuyahoga Connects also serves as the “2 month away” kick-off for Share the River’s Seventh Annual Blazing Paddles Paddlefest on July 19, 2025.

The event brings together maritime partners, law enforcement, waterfront industries and businesses, governmental agencies, and recreation stakeholders, to share their respective vision for a safe, accessible, and productive waterfront, the importance of clean water, and its impact on the regional economy.

Waterfront stakeholders will each provide a short briefing, followed by a Q&A, followed by a casual connections happy hour by the river.

Participating speakers/organizations:

• Eric Peace, Lake Carriers’ Association

• Lt. Sasha Queary, US Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Cleveland

• Kierra Cotton/Jared Magyar - The Port of Cleveland

• Emily Bacha - Cuyahoga County/Fresh Water Institute

• Michelle Burke - Ohio Marine Trades Assn.

• Chad Kozan - ODNR Watercraft

• Drew Ferguson - Argonaut

• Jessica Shutty, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District

• Bill Hughes - Cuyahoga River Area of Concern

Register at https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/hp4332e

Registration is limited to Cuyahoga River Safety Task Force members or Cuyuhoga River stakeholders.

As requested during the recent Cuyahoga River Safety Task Force meeting, CRSTF members are requested to provide feedback and suggestions by completing a brief survey.

https://www.canalwaypartners.com/events/2024/05/04/riversweep

Started in 1989, RiverSweep is a one day litter cleanup that focuses on protecting the Cuyahoga River by removing garbage from the Cuyahoga River Corridor.

Registrations for RiverSweep 2025 will open on April 3!

A Fun for All paddle fest focused on Downtown Cuyahoga Falls and the Upper Gorge of the Cuyahoga River. Paddlers, spectators, and photographers can enjoy themselves in Downtown Cuyahoga Falls, whether on the water or on foot, exploring the urban riverfront and growing variety of businesses.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1132503251934804

From Cuyahoga River AOC event page:

The Cuyahoga River Area of Concern has recently announced its sixth Beneficial Use Impairment (BUI) removal, or specific problems that can prevent a body of water from reaching its full potential. The latest accomplishment was for the Beach Closures (Recreational Use) BUI, a testament to the substantial investments made by regional agencies to reduce bacteria levels, restore water quality, and improve beach conditions. In the Cuyahoga River, 10 out of the 14 BUIs from U.S. EPA’s list were identified along with their causes to develop strategic projects and actions to restore them. With every BUI that is removed, the Cuyahoga River is one step closer to being delisted as an Area of Concern.

Join us as we celebrate another milestone in the Cuyahoga River’s ecological recovery and to honor our 2024 Champion of the River, the City of Cuyahoga Falls. Before we commence with the festivities, volunteer to help clean up the beach and continue our efforts towards healthy waters (register here!).

A variety of hors d'oeuvres and refreshments will be provided during the celebration to all attendees.

From NEORSD CWF website

Facebook event link

It's not too early to mark your calendars. Our festival of all things water returns Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 9:00 until 4:00. A full day of free games, giveaways, tours, trucks, education and inspiration unlike any other. Join thousands of our closest friends from Northeast Ohio and beyond at Clean Water Fest. 

https://www.cledba.org/cdba-dragon-boat-festival

From Argonaut website:

We’re excited to invite you to our 3rd Annual Sunset on the Harbor Benefit, supporting Argonaut and our Davis Aerospace & Maritime High School.

Kick off your weekend with an unforgettable Latin-themed evening of food and music, unique silent auction prizes, and an incomparable view of a late summer sunset over North Coast Harbor! Don your fedora and loudest vacation clothes while the Justo Saborit band entertains us with Latin and Cuban inspired music.

From Summit Metro Parks Facebook event

Summit Metro Parks is pleased to welcome visitors to enjoy new amenities at the Valley View Area of Cascade Valley Metro Park beginning July 30! The park district will host a public ribbon cutting for members of the community to celebrate the amenities, which include a kayak/canoe access point on the Cuyahoga River, a barn shelter, a Nature Play area, new trails and five gender-neutral restrooms.

At the event, visitors can learn more about Summit Metro Parks, Free the Falls and the Cuyahoga River Water Trail, or browse a selection of apparel, drinkware, books and more at the Maple Leaf Gifts pop-up gift shop.

Two new trails, Missing Link (1.1 miles) and Prather (1 mile) trails, will open the same day. Visitors can join a naturalist-led hike at 11:00 a.m. on Missing Link Trail.

Construction for this high-quality access point to the Cuyahoga River began in May 2023. Acquired by the park district in 2016, the Valley View Area has undergone a significant transformation, which includes the restoration of one mile of the Cuyahoga River and 200 acres of parkland. Summit Metro Parks is grateful for generous grant and private funding that has made these beautiful additions possible to allow visitors to connect with, enjoy and celebrate nature from land and water.

From Land Studio event page

OVERVIEW

Join us on Wednesday, July 24th, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Wendy Park to celebrate Small Giants, Cleveland's new public art installation! Bring your own picnic for a family-friendly event with music, games, and bubbles. Meet the artist, Alex Senna, and enjoy refreshments while celebrating art and community.

About Alex Senna/Small Giants https://www.land-studio.org/projects/small-giants

Weather permitting - we will communicate weather-related event updates on LAND’s social media.

Learn more about the installation here.

TICKETS

Registration not required but appreciated | Free admission

A public meeting will be held on May 15th at 6pm for the Cuyahoga River Old Channel (CROC) sediment cleanup at Windows on the River. Free parking will be provided.

details from EPA press release:

EPA and Partners to Hold Public Meeting in Cleveland on Cuyahoga River Old Channel Cleanup

May 9, 2024

Contact Information

Allison Lippert (lippert.allison@epa.gov)

312-353-0967

CHICAGO (May 9, 2024) — Next week, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Great Lakes Legacy Act project partners will hold a public meeting in Cleveland to discuss the Cuyahoga River Old Channel sediment cleanup that will begin next year. The sediment  contains several contaminants that are toxic to aquatic organisms, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), oil and grease, and metals. Approximately 100,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment will be removed from the Cuyahoga River Old Channel. At the meeting, EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will update the community on the construction of a confined disposal facility where the contaminated sediment will be properly disposed.   

WHO:      EPA
                  U.S. Army Corps of Engineers                                               
                  Port of Cleveland
                  Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District
                  Ohio EPA
                  Ohio Lake Erie Commission
                 

WHAT:      Public meeting to learn about next steps for Cuyahoga River Old Channel cleanup
 

WHEN:      Wednesday, May 15
                     6–8 p.m.
            

WHERE:    Windows on the River
                     2000 Sycamore St.
                     Cleveland, OH
                    

The project is part of a larger initiative to clean up the Cuyahoga River Area of Concern. For more information, please visit EPA’s webpage.

https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-aocs/cuyahoga-river-aoc

https://cuyahogaaoc.org/

From HiHO Brewing Company Facebook event

We are EX-STREAM-LY excited to celebrate World Water Day and the resurgence of clean water on the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie!

Join us at HiHO Brewing Co. for information on how to get out and safely enjoy your time on the water this season! There will be updates on the Cuyahoga River Water Trail, Ohio's 13th officially designated water trail, information to share on new access points along the river for paddlers, maps, giveaways, and more including updates about the Gorge Dam Removal!

The Cuyahoga River is important to lots of local folks! Find additional information from Summit Metro Parks, The National Park Service, Burning River Adventures, Float the River, and Share the River to learn how YOU can get out and have fun on the Cuyahoga River this year!

While you're here, stop next door at The Falls Outdoor Co. and The Social Dept. for outdoor gear, cool, local tees, and more!

Safety should always be a priority whether you like to kayak, canoe, tube, or paddle board. We're looking forward to an awesome 2024 season on the water!

Facebook event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/930896441634981

From Cleveland Leadership website

Steven Litt 
Art & Architecture Critic, Advance Ohio

Public space revolution
After a century of industrialization and automobile-oriented city planning, Northeast Ohio civic and business leaders have aligned around a green vision for the future that includes expanding the Cleveland Metroparks Emerald Necklace and connections to the Towpath Trail. But will massive public investment in downtown waterfront parks and public spaces produce equitable economic benefits touted by leaders?

REGISTER >

Previous The Way Forward Leader Lunch Breaks can be viewed by visiting our searchable archive or the Cleveland Leadership Center YouTube Channel – subscribe today!

Leaders are needed now more than ever before, please help us to build our leadership today and for the future. The Way Forward Leader Lunch Breaks are offered for free but donations to support continued CLC programming are appreciated!

From Cleveland Metroparks website.

This event is hosted by Intercity Yacht Club, located just west of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard off North Marginal Rd. (7301 N. Marginal Rd.). There will be team members to chat with along with displays and activities for sharing your ideas. We’ll also have coffee, a hot cocoa bar, and some treats to help folks warm up after being outdoors!

No registration is needed to join the Open House. If you’d like to join a walking tour or bus tour, please use the links below to let us know you’re coming.  

WALKSHOPS – 1-to-2-mile walks (please dress for the weather and expect some uneven terrain) 

• 11 AM

• 12 PM

• 1 PM

• 2 PM

BUMBLEBEE BUS TOURS – 40-minute rides in an enclosed cart (limited capacity - registration required) 

• 10:30 AM

• NOON

• 1:30 PM

Please stay at home if you are sick, are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 14 days.

From Cuyahoga River AOC press release

We are looking forward to our upcoming BUI Removal Celebration & Champion of the River Award on Thursday, November 16th from 5:00pm-6:30pm at Collision Bend Brewing Company. See attached flyer for details and the link to register.

The event will include heavy appetizers, drink tickets for registered attendees, and a brief program recognizing our recent BUI removal and presenting our Champion of the River award to Share the River. A big thanks to the many sponsors who are helping to support this event!

Please SAVE THE DATE and be sure to register ahead of time (registration is required to get a drink ticket). REGISTER TODAY:

BUI Removal Celebration & Champion of the River Award | November 16th, 2023 | 5:00pm-6:30pm | Collision Bend Brewing Co.

Challenge yourself with a 2-mile, 6-mile, youth, or kids’ stand up paddleboard or kayak race during the 9th annual Whiskey Island Paddlefest, or enjoy a paddle at your own pace during the Capture the Swag Fun Paddle! Whiskey Island Paddlefest is perfect for both beginners and advanced paddlers.

https://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/parks/calendar/2023/or/whiskey-island-paddlefest

Cuyahoga River Rally celebrates the history of the Cuyahoga River and the lifestyle enhancements clean water provides with an all day festival, live music and free history tours.

Cuyahoga River Rally offer a number of events to celebrate how far the Cuyahoga River has come, including riverside yoga, kayaking tours, boat rides, walking tours and biking tours.

https://www.canalwaypartners.com/events/2023/06/24/cuyahoga-river-rally

Cuyahoga County is opening the underside of the double-decker Veterans Memorial Bridge and Subway for two days in June, and officials want the public’s help in deciding what to do with the space going forward.

The public will have access to the streetcar level from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, June 23, as part of a community conversation about how to reactivate the underside for future pedestrian use. Dinner will also be available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Free, self-guided tours will also be available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. the following day, on June 24, where residents can experience the original streetcar station and tracks and see unique views of the Cuyahoga River, Lake Erie and downtown Cleveland. There will be food trucks, live entertainment, and educational tables during the event.

website: https://www.veteransmemorialbridge.org/

cleveland.com story
https://www.cleveland.com/news/2023/05/cuyahoga-county-opening-subway-level-of-veterans-memorial-bridge-in-june-residents-invited-to-reimagine-its-future.html

Share the river blog-post on previous Veterans Memorial Bridge tour

http://sharetheriver.com/blog/2018/8/20/veterans-memorial-bridge-perspective

Kayaking is a fun way to explore Cleveland Metroparks. Discover the beauty of Euclid Creek and views of Lake Erie from a sit-on-top kayak. Learn paddle techniques and basic boat fitting as you try kayaking under the guidance of certified instructors.

Wednesday, Jun 21, 2023, 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Wednesday, Jun 21, 2023, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Registration for the two Try-It sessions OPENS May 15!

https://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/parks/calendar/2023/or/kayaking/try-it-kayaking-euclid-creek