Foster MetroPark

Introduction

Foster Park, at one time known as Canoe Trails Park, sits on 3 acres of serene lawns and woods in Newton Township between the Mahoning River and the lightly traveled East River Road/Newton Falls Damascus Road, which also serves as Bicycle Route J. Though it is MetroParks’ smallest open park, Foster offers an abundance and charm and serenity. The pleasantly landscaped park offers a pair of shaded picnic tables and fire-rings, a portable lavatory, as well as the first river access point on the Mahoning River beyond the Lake Milton Dam. Visitors can park in one of the 16 spaces available or take their vehicle and trailer down a paved driveway to a canoe launch at the riverbank. The canoe launch leads up from the ramp to the picnic area. A paved pathway continues from the picnic area to an arched foot bridge before leading back into the main parking lot. Bicycle racks are also available.

Present Conditions

Most park improvements are in good condition, including an arched wooden bridge, picnic tables, parking lots capable of holding 20 vehicles, a bicycle rack and the asphalt driveway which allows boaters to bring their watercraft from the parking lot to the river’s edge. A portable lavatory is also available at the site along with grills. The park continues to serve bicyclists along Route J, residents in NewtonTownship and its vicinity, as well as the starting point for the annual Trumbull Canoe Trails Mahoning River Color Run, an autumn foliage tour via water. One of the park’s few areas of concern is the existing canoe ramp, where asphalt gives way to railroad ties that descend into the water. The launch itself is uneven, steep, and at times quite slippery. The MetroParks’ maintenance staff addresses all issues, including the recent work to re-plank the footbridge. Services for refuse removal and lavatory cleaning are contracted out.