News
Today, officials celebrated the start of construction on the transformative 2.7-mile North Marginal Trail between E. 9th and E. 55th streets on Cleveland’s east side lakefront. The new trail is a partnership between Cuyahoga County, which will manage construction of the project, the Cleveland Metroparks, which will manage and operate the trail once constructed, and the City of Cleveland. The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation provided a $5 million gift to Cleveland Metroparks for construction of the trail, which is complemented by $5.6 million of funds from the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) through the Federal Highway Administration’s Carbon Reduction Program and local match funds provided by Cuyahoga County and the City of Cleveland.
“Lake Erie is an integral part of our city and region – from our environmental health, to our economic vitality, and our cultural heritage."
“Cuyahoga County is committed to expanding mobility options available to residents and visitors throughout or region, and we know that the North Marginal Trail project will be a popular destination for those who love the lakefront,” said Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne. “Through the ongoing development of the Cuyahoga Greenways Plan, we are creating abundant opportunities for people to connect with green spaces, access public transportation, and utilize community resources and amenities.”
The off-road paved North Marginal Trail will be a new trail connection to complete a missing link of the Cleveland Lakefront Bikeway. The trail will connect to the existing portion of the bikeway from E. 55th Street to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, traversing along the north side of North Marginal Road and enhancing neighborhood connectivity between Voinovich Bicentennial Park in downtown Cleveland, Cleveland Metroparks’ Lakefront Reservation – including E. 55th Street Marina, e55 on the lake restaurant, Gordon Park – and connect to existing trails to University Circle, Doan Brook, and the Shaker Lakes.
“Designing an equitable and inclusive city means creating connections that offer every resident access to all the opportunities and resources Cleveland has to offer,” said Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb. “As we work to transform our North Coast Lakefront, this trail will ensure that our neighbors in St. Clair-Superior and Glenville can enjoy the beauty and the benefits of being on the lake. Thank you to the County, the Metroparks, the Mandel Foundation and NOACA for making this project possible.”
Once complete, the trail will provide greatly needed safe access to the lakefront on foot or by bicycle to the St. Clair-Superior and Glenville neighborhoods. Current conditions on North Marginal Trail along the lakefront require pedestrians and cyclists to share the roadway with vehicles to reach lakefront destinations on Cleveland’s east side.
“The North Marginal Trail not only completes a vital link in the Cleveland Lakefront Bikeway but is another step in enhancing neighborhood connectivity and lakefront access, weaving together seamless, safe connections to parks, marinas, and vibrant community spaces,” said Cleveland Metroparks CEO Brian M. Zimmerman. “This investment is a testament to our region’s ability to partner and collaborate to make our region safer, greener and more connected to our lakefront.”
In addition to the $5 million gift from the Mandel Foundation to support construction of the North Marginal Trail, the Mandel Foundation also granted an additional $8 million to Cleveland Metroparks for the management of the 48-acre portion of Gordon Park south of Interstate 90 between E. 72nd Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. LAND Studio, Cleveland Metroparks and additional project partners are currently conducting a robust community engagement process within the immediately adjacent neighborhoods to gain feedback of forthcoming investment to the park.
“Lake Erie is an integral part of our city and region – from our environmental health, our economic vitality, and our cultural heritage,” said Stephen H. Hoffman, Chair of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation. “We are pleased to be partnering with the Metroparks and other stakeholders to help fund the construction of this transformative new trail that will serve as a catalyst for tremendous investment in furthering lakefront access and recreational opportunities for all our citizens, but especially the residents of neighborhoods that are adjacent to Lake Erie within the City of Cleveland.”
North Marginal Trail was identified as an Important Regional Link in the Cuyahoga Greenways Plan, a collaborative and comprehensive effort to envision, plan and implement trail connections throughout Cuyahoga County to improve mobility, health, well-being and economic vitality. As part of the plan, NOACA is guiding implementation of this regionally significant route along the Lake Erie waterfront.
“This a much-needed project that exhibits a broader impact by creating connections between communities and the lakefront, said Grace Gallucci, NOACA Executive Director and CEO. “NOACA is committed to allocating funds to provide safer access to regional assets. The project’s dedicated lanes separated from vehicular travel will create a sense of place for all who use the trail. We are excited about this next improvement as we continue to plan and build regional connectivity.”
The North Marginal Trail's total estimated cost is approximately $12 million. It is expected to open to the public in summer 2026. For more information on the trail, visit Clevelandmetroparks.com.
For construction updates, visit Projects and Programs (cuyahogacounty.gov).
