Park Planning & Development

Please review our current projects and planning efforts. We welcome and appreciate your feedback on our plans! Email us at admin@portageparkdistrict.org or call 330-297-7728.

Towner's Woods and the PORTAGE Hike & Bike Trail Improvements

Towner's Woods Park and the portion of the PORTAGE Hike & Bike Trail that goes through the park are currently CLOSED as of May 26, 2026 and are expected to remain closed for at least 2 months. Please avoid the closures and consider exploring a different park or trail. The most updated information about the closure can be found on our Alerts page. Below are some common questions that we have received about the closure:

  • Is the PORTAGE Hike & Bike Trail closed? The portion of the PORTAGE Hike & Bike Trail that runs through Towner's Woods Park is closed. A major part of the park construction project includes rerouting the trail from its current parking lot location to a safe route behind the switch tower. 
  • Is there a recommended detour for trail users? Trail users are encouraged to look at the map below and choose their preferred alternate road route to bypass the closure.
  • Will the Ravenna Road bridge remain open during this construction project? At this time, we expect the bridge lane to remain open to walkers and bikers, however it is possible that the bridge will be closed at certain stages of construction. Please watch our Alerts page or our social media channels for updates.
  • Why is the entire park closed? The shortest answer is for your safety during the construction project! Also, our park staff will be using this closure opportunity to remove some of the invasive plants in the park.
  • Can I access the park trails from the Hike & Bike Trail? Please, no. The entire section of the PORTAGE Hike & Bike Trail that runs through Towner's Woods Park is closed. Help us finish this project as quickly as possible by following the closure limits.
  • Why isn't the Park District replacing the Ravenna Road bridge? The Portage Park District does not own or control the Ravenna Road bridge. The bridge replacement project is being led by the Portage County Engineer's office and is scheduled to begin later this year. The bridge project will include a designated lane for trail user safety.​​​​​​​hike and bike trail closure map

There is much to be excited about! Please take a look at the park improvements below. Visit our Alerts page for the most recent updates about the park and trail closures. We are as anxious as you are to reopen. Please respect the construction site and stay out of closed areas.

Towner's Woods Parking detail
Exciting changes are coming this summer to the parking lot and trailhead at Towner’s Woods and the PORTAGE Hike and Bike Trail in Franklin Township. With increased trail traffic over the years, improvements are needed for public safety and to reduce conflicts between trail users and vehicles. The Park District also secured a lease from Norfolk Southern for a strip of land behind the Brady Interlocking Switch Tower to reroute the trail from the middle of the parking lot to behind the building, greatly increasing safety for all. With that change, twelve parking spaces on the south side of the lot will be replaced by greenspace and public gathering areas, and an additional parking lot will be created on the west side of Ravenna Road.

The Park District was awarded a federal grant to separate trail traffic from road traffic and has transferred the grant to the County Engineer who will incorporate a separated 10-foot wide side path as part of the new Ravenna Road bridge. The bridge project is not managed by the park district.

The historic Brady Interlocking Railroad Switch Tower building is being restored to reflect its original design. Concrete structural repairs were recently completed. A new roof, exterior finishing, and informational displays is expected to be completed by fall 2026.

Towner's Woods West Ravenna Road Parking Lot
This project will create an additional parking lot on the west side of Ravenna Road at the PORTAGE Hike & Bike Trail west of Towner’s Woods. The new 29-stall asphalt parking lot will be constructed in late summer or early fall of 2026.  While the project will maintain access to the remainder of the PORTAGE Hike & Bike Trail, the trail section between Lake Rockwell Road and Ravenna Road will be closed for a minimum of 7 consecutive days with possible additional daily closures to ensure the safety of trail users. Appropriate measures will be taken to ensure the safety of the public and protect trail facilities.

Ravenna Road West Parking Lot plans

Kame-Esker Bog Park
Park Construction is underway with opening expected summer 2026!
See the park overview here.

Headwaters Trail Extension Projects
Headwaters Trail map
Click here for facts about the Headwaters Trail, including a historical project timeline.

The 1.3-mile Phase VIII of Headwaters Trail in Mantua Township is located on the old railroad corridor between Chamberlain Road and Diagonal Road. Construction is underway with completion expected in early summer 2026. The project includes a trailhead parking area and restrooms at Chamberlain Road, connecting directly with the new 2.8-mile Aurora Trail.

Franklin Connector Trail - Potential Extension and Connection
Franklin Connector Trail possible extension map
The Park District has an opportunity to acquire an unused spur line from Norfolk Southern railroad in Franklin Township, which could extend the Franklin Connector Trail 1.2 miles east of Hudson Road where it would connect to the Park District’s Franklin Bog Preserve and the City of Kent’s proposed Lake Rockwell Trail. This conceptual map shows the location of the potential trail extension. Survey

Portage Park District 2016 Master Plan

The Portage Park District developed a Comprehensive Master Plan with the aid of professional consultants and public input in 2016. The purpose of the project was to develop a community-supported plan that provides guidance to the Park District over the next 10 years for improving and operating existing and future parks and trails and providing opportunities for appropriate public use and enjoyment. The Plan guided policy development, prioritized needs and opportunities and generated strategic action plans. It informed decisions regarding types of park facilities and trail development, new parkland acquisition, land management and programming. The plan expresses the Park District’s intentions to be good stewards of the public’s natural and financial resources through sustainable design and management that considers short and long-term environmental, economic and social impacts. The Plan considers potential public and private partners, stakeholders and other facilities and programs within Portage County and in neighboring counties to determine shared opportunities and avoid competition and duplication of services.

If you have any questions, concerns, or input regarding the development of our next Master Plan, please contact us at: (330) 297-7728 or email.