Sprouting Bonds With Nature

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – There is a lot to see and do in the real-time outdoors and now there are even more opportunities available for you to get out and experience nature. 

Muskingum Valley Park District Executive Director Russell Edgington is happy about the growing number of public parks in Muskingum County and shared some details around a few new parks that will be sprouting up in the near future.  

“We’re lined up to have a really busy year for 2026.” Edgington said. “Probably at the top of my list is seeing the completion of the Canal Park Trail. Of course that’s our Appalachian Community Grant funded project. And we’re working with ODNR as well as contractors to see that that project is wrapped up by October, which is a requirement. So folks will see a lot of development down there by the Y-Bridge.”

The Straker Landing project, where Kirkbride Marina used to be along Linden Avenue, will progress forward with the demolition of the abandoned houses and excavation for access to the boat ramp.

“Some of the other projects we’re working on, we are still working on extending the Muskingum Recreational Trail from Ellis Dam down to Gilbert Station. So that’s a project that’s on the block and of course we’re focused on identifying… the rest of the corridor all the way down to Riverside Park. So that’s a major project,” Edgington said.

On top of the park development projects comes the event planning that includes the Mother’s Day Plant Sale fundraiser and Labor Day weekend’s third annual Riverfest at Zane’s Landing Park.