Feb. 2 Cuyahoga Falls City Council and committee meetings

Covered by Michelle DeShon (see the notes here) and Bishop Cameron Nelson (see the notes here).

Design work for the second phase of the Mud Brook Greenway Trail in Cuyahoga Falls is nearly complete, as the city has lined up about $600,000 to help move the project forward. The trail is part of a larger effort to connect neighborhoods to green space and is already a well-used route for area residents.

Phase 2 will extend the trail from East Bath Road and Old Mill Drive south to People Care Park Drive off of State Road. Plans include a limestone path, a raised boardwalk and a roughly 200-foot bridge over Old Mill Pond. City engineers estimate the total cost for this stage will be about $3.3 million.

The funding includes a $500,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, along with additional money from the city’s tax increment financing fund. Officials have not yet identified the source of the remaining funding but say the goal is to complete the project by summer of 2027.

Design work for the second phase of the Mud Brook Trail in Cuyahoga Falls is nearly complete, as the city has lined up about $600,000 to help move the project forward. Phase 2 would extend the trail from East Bath Road and Old Mill Drive south to People Care Park Drive off of State Road. Plans include a limestone path, a raised boardwalk and a roughly 200-foot bridge over Old Mill Pond. City engineers estimate the total cost for this stage will be about $3.3 million.
Design work for the second phase of the Mud Brook Greenway Trail in Cuyahoga Falls is nearly complete, as the city has lined up about $600,000 to help move the project forward. Phase 2 would extend the trail from East Bath Road and Old Mill Drive south to People Care Park Drive off of State Road. Plans include a limestone path, a raised boardwalk and a roughly 200-foot bridge over Old Mill Pond. City engineers estimate the total cost for this stage will be about $3.3 million. (Map courtesy of Cuyahoga Falls City Council)

City Engineer Tony Demasi said the first phase of the trail, which was completed in 2022, runs from Wyoga Lake Road to East Bath Road and is already in heavy use. He said the next stage is meant to build on that by improving access and connecting more parts of the city.

Cuyahoga Falls City Council discussed two ordinances tied to the project at its Feb. 2 meeting and is expected to take them up for a final vote at an upcoming meeting this spring at the Natatorium. One of the measures would clear the way for the city to enter into contracts for Phase 2 work.

Council members voiced support for the project and noted the importance of securing outside funding. Council President Russ Balthis said the trail will be a real plus for the city.

The Mud Brook Greenway Trail, which is located on city-owned land, is designed to offer both recreational and environmental benefits. City leaders say projects like this can help strengthen neighborhoods, raise property values and improve overall quality of life.

With the design work nearly complete and the initial funding in place, the project is moving closer to construction. Local officials say the trail could also play a role in connecting to the region’s growing network of parks and trails.

Hikers along the Mud Brook Greenway in the Northwest part of Cuyahoga Falls pass by wetlands, groves of trees and other natural areas. The 1.4 mile nature path recently received $600,000 in funding for a phase 2 upgrade.
Hikers along the Mud Brook Greenway Trail in the northwest part of Cuyahoga Falls pass by wetlands, groves of trees and other natural areas. The 1.4 mile nature path recently received $600,000 in funding for a Phase 2 extension. (LeKesha Parkman / Akron Documenters)

See Documenter Michelle DeShon’s notes here:

Cuyahoga Falls City Council – Regular Meeting 02_02_2026Download

See Documenter Bishop Cameron Nelson’s notes here:

Cuyahoga Falls City Council – Regular Meeting 02_09_2026Download

🗓️ New events calendar! From block parties to concerts and kids’ activities, find fun around Akron and Summit County all year long. Dive into the calendar and start planning.

LeKesha is a writer, artist and marketing professional with a passion for storytelling and community engagement. Based in Akron, she brings a multidisciplinary approach to her work, blending poetry, graphic design, painting and photography. In addition to her creative pursuits, she serves on the board of the League of Women Voters Akron Area and works for a nonprofit focused on uplifting the community. With a background in marketing and a commitment to civic involvement, LeKesha is dedicated to using her skills to inform, inspire, and empower others.

Akron Documenters trains and pays residents to document local government meetings with notes and live-tweet threads. We then make those meeting summaries available as a new public record.