AKRON, Ohio–Communities in Summit County are eligible to receive grant money for their trail projects identified on the Summit County Trails Plan through the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition’s annual Summit County Trail grant application.  Funding for the Summit County Trail Grant program is made possible through the leadership of Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro and Summit County Council.  The application for the 2026 grant cycle is now available on the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition’s web site at www.ohioeriecanal.org.  Applicants can send the grant application, along with 2 copies, to the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, Attention: Summit County Trail and Greenway Coordinator, 47 W. Exchange Street, Akron, Ohio 44308, the deadline to return the application is April 10, 2026.

The Summit County Trails Plan identifies trails in Summit County and their connections to the popular Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, the Summit Metro Parks’ Bike & Hike Trail, and other regional and local trail networks. The communities of Summit County are very fortunate to have the vision and leadership demonstrated by Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro and Summit County Council for trail projects related to economic development and the quality of life for its residents.

Some of the past projects funded by this grant include Summit Metro Park’s water trails signage; Bath Township’s North Fork Preserve of Bath entry sign and kiosk; the City of Cuyahoga Fall’s Swain Maple sugaring trail, and the City of Barberton’s stormwater and Towpath amenities study.

Since 2001, the Summit County Executive and Summit County Council have supported this popular trail plan by dedicating money toward grant projects identified on the plan. For every $1 of Summit County money, an additional $12 is leveraged in federal, state and local investment. Please contact George Ebey at 330-374-5657 or gebey@ohioeriecanal.org for any questions regarding the grant application or grant process.