Canoe City MetroPark

Introduction

Canoe City MetroPark, situated near unincorporated downtown Leavittsburg, is the largest park in Warren Township, featuring 13.25 acres of woods along the Mahoning River. Visitors to the site can enjoy the view of the water from one of the park’s benches, fish from the riverbank or floating dock, host a cookout using one of the many grills and picnic tables scattered throughout the park, walk along paved walkways or rest under the generous shade of deciduous trees. The site offers a 22-car parking lot along with spaces for four boat trailers, an information kiosk, and a paved canoe launch.

Area Attributes Surrounding land uses include moderate-intensity residential, undeveloped woodland, and commercial retail. Ohio Cross State Bicycle Route J, which passes by Foster MetroPark further south, also runs by Canoe City MetroPark along N. Leavitt Road. With its proximity to the river and relatively flat land, most of Canoe City MetroPark is prone to seasonal flooding.

Leavittsburg Dam Project

Present Conditions

The existing structures on the property are in good condition aside from the lack of potable water. Nearly all of the work required to maintain the existing park is performed by the lessee of the park’s boathouse. Recent park improvements have included tree removal and the installation of a kiosk. Fishing is one of the park’s most popular activities along with canoeing. Visitors can also enjoy the park’s walking trails, and picnic areas. Signage along the river clearly indicates that all watercraft should exit the river before reaching the warning buoys located near the southern edge of the park in order to avoid the Leavittsburg Dam. MetroParks installed the warning buoys in 2006, purchased through a grant from the Ohio Division of Wildlife and Natural Resources. Canoe City is located entirely within a floodplain, and, therefore, any future development would have to consider the high potential for flooding. While the popular park already has much to offer visitors, future development could include additional services, such as a livery service to transport canoeists upstream. Furthermore, there are also opportunities to extend the current trail in order to accommodate an on-site portage, as no trail or pathway presently exists to take canoeists around the Leavittsburg Dam.