Take the Towpath
Walk, run or bike a section of the historic trail as it follows the canal and river through the valley.
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THE CITY'S GREEN GATEWAY
Merriman Valley
Merriman Valley is where Akron exhales—a river corridor of trailheads, wooded slopes and easy access to the landscapes that define Northeast Ohio.
AKRON / MERRIMAN VALLEY
THE FEEL
Meet the
neighborhood.
The Cuyahoga River and Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath shape this low, green stretch between Akron and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Bring shoes you do not mind getting dusty.
MAKE A DAY OF IT
Three ways
to find its rhythm.
No rigid itinerary required. Use these as starting points, then leave room to wander.
Find the overlook
Nearby parklands offer river views, forest paths and changing scenery in every season.
Refuel nearby
Turn the outing into a full day with a relaxed meal or coffee before heading back into the city.
NEIGHBORHOOD PICKS
Top 5 Things to Do in Merriman Valley
Walk or bike the Towpath Trail
Join the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath in the valley for a level route beside the canal and Cuyahoga River corridor. Head north for a longer ride toward Cuyahoga Valley National Park or keep the outing short with an out-and-back walk.
Explore the Valley View Area
Hike through the restored landscape of Cascade Valley Metro Park's Valley View Area, where former golf-course land has been returned to meadow and wildlife habitat. The Prather and Missing Link trails offer approachable routes with a strong sense of the valley's natural and human history.
Follow Sand Run Parkway
Take the winding parkway into Sand Run Metro Park and stop at one of its trailheads for a wooded hike or picnic. The drive itself is part of the experience, especially when fall color fills the ravine.
Spend time along the Cuyahoga River
Choose a legal river-access or overlook area and slow down to watch the water, birds and changing light in the valley. Conditions can shift after heavy rain, so check park alerts and stay within marked public areas.
Refuel near the trail
Finish a hike or ride at one of the restaurants clustered along Merriman Road and nearby valley corridors. This is one of Akron's easiest neighborhoods for pairing an outdoor day with a casual meal close to the trailheads.
PEOPLE & SAFETY
Akron by
the numbers.
Neighborhood boundaries do not line up cleanly with Census geography, so these figures provide citywide context. Use the official crime map below for recent incidents around Merriman Valley.
CRIME CONTEXT
See what's happening near Merriman Valley.
Akron Police reported year-over-year declines through October 2024 in firearm offenses (25%), robberies (2%), felonious assaults (8%) and rapes (9%). Crime changes over time and can vary block by block; the city's Community Crime Map is the best source for current neighborhood-level incidents.
Demographics: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, 2020–2024 estimates and July 1, 2025 population estimate. Crime trend: City of Akron, published October 17, 2024. Crime-map data is supplied by participating law-enforcement agencies and should not be interpreted as a prediction of personal safety.
GOOD FOR
- Trail days
- Cycling
- River scenery
- National park access
KEEP EXPLORING
Continue north into Cuyahoga Valley National Park, or follow the valley south toward Northside and downtown Akron.
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