Cuyahoga Falls opens $7.1M river route linking downtown and waterfront

Cuyahoga Falls will open a 0.75-mile riverfront route on Saturday, October 24, completing a $7.1 million infrastructure project intended to connect the Cuyahoga River with commercial zones along Front Street. The city is investing in physical assets to drive foot traffic and support local merchants, with the formal dedication scheduled for the Downtown Pavilion and Plaza at 2085 Front St.

The project replaces aging infrastructure with new construction to increase accessibility and capacity. Crews rebuilt the lower wooden boardwalk with new foundations and planks. Above that level, the city installed a wider concrete walkway that meets ADA accessibility standards. This upgrade allows more pedestrians to move between the river and downtown businesses simultaneously.

Local business owners view the new route as a direct driver of customer volume. Nathan Walden, owner of Hope Soap on Front Street, noted that the store produces all goods by hand using natural ingredients. He stated that the new walkway will increase visibility for his shop. Walden observed a recent uptick in business and expects the completed route to accelerate that trend by connecting shoppers directly to the riverfront.

The city added amenities designed to encourage visitors to stay longer. The route includes scenic overlooks, public art installations, and a stage facing the river that can hold more than 100 people. The stage area features built-in seating and colorful artwork, converting a previously underutilized space into a gathering spot. The city also added 10 informational points along the loop that use QR codes to provide data on local wildlife and river history.

Mayor Don Walters will lead a tour of the route at noon on Saturday. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and includes guest speakers who will explain the project’s design and construction. The mayor plans to officiate a wedding at a venue within the RiverLoop during the celebration. Light refreshments will be available for attendees, and city staff and construction team members are expected to be present.

The city positioned the RiverLoop as a year-round asset rather than a seasonal attraction. Walters said the infrastructure is designed for use in all weather conditions. The project also includes streetscape improvements on South Front Street to tighten the physical and visual connection between the river and the downtown core. Visitors can pick up a map of the route at the opening to guide their exploration.

The $7.1 million investment represents a multi-year effort to modernize the city’s waterfront. The work took more than a year to complete. The new route links the riverfront with existing businesses, creating a continuous path for pedestrians. The city aims to use this improved infrastructure to attract visitors and sustain economic activity in the downtown area.