Cuyahoga Falls Marks Opening of $7.1 Million RiverLoop Along the Cuyahoga River

Cuyahoga Falls is preparing to formally open its revamped RiverLoop, a project aimed at giving visitors new ways to experience both the Cuyahoga River and the city's downtown. The work took more than a year to complete.

The city will hold a grand opening for the RiverLoop and the South Front Street Transformation on Saturday, Oct. 24. The community celebration will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Downtown Pavilion and Plaza, 2085 Front St. Mayor Don Walters will lead an official tour of the RiverLoop at noon.

The RiverLoop is one piece of a $7.1 million project. It forms a three-quarter-mile route that links the riverfront with businesses along Front Street. "It's absolutely gorgeous right along the river," Walters said. "I like to think we have the best downtown in the region. This just adds more to it."

Over the past year, crews rebuilt the lower wooden boardwalk beside the river. "Brand new foundation, new boards, new everything on the lower portion," Walters said. Above it, visitors will find a new concrete walkway that is wider than before and ADA accessible.

The route also includes scenic overlooks, public art and a stage facing the river. Colorful artwork and built-in seating surround the stage, in a space Walters said had previously been underutilized. "This holds well over 100 people, perfect backdrop," he said. Beyond the riverfront, the South Front Street Transformation adds streetscape improvements meant to tie the river more closely to downtown.

Local merchants are watching the project closely. Hope Soap, a Front Street shop that makes soaps, lotions and skin care products, sits along the route. Owner Nathan Walden said, "We make everything by hand right here inside of our store. We use good, natural ingredients." He believes the RiverLoop could draw more people downtown and send more customers to nearby businesses. "We've definitely seen an uptick in it I think in the last couple of years, and obviously, I think this is really going to be a game-changer," Walden said.

The loop has 10 points of interest where visitors can learn about local wildlife, including bald eagles and river otters, as well as the history of the Cuyahoga River. QR codes at each stop lead to additional facts. Walters offered one example: "A lot of people don't know that every drop of water you see is on its way to Niagara Falls and the Atlantic Ocean."

During the noon tour, guest speakers will stop along the route to explain some of the stories behind the project's features. Visitors can pick up a RiverLoop map and join the mayor's tour or explore on their own. Members of the architectural and construction teams, along with city staff who worked on the projects, are also expected to attend, and light refreshments will be available. Walters also plans to officiate a wedding at a venue in the heart of the RiverLoop during the celebration.

Although the opening falls during pleasant autumn weather, Walters said the attraction is not meant to be seasonal. "You can enjoy this year round," he said.