This summer, the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park will host a gathering of trail supporters for the fifth annual Elevation summer party. The June 16 event will be a memorable night of hiking, dining, live music, and dancing at the Ritchie Ledges in Ohio’s national park.
Proceeds from Elevation benefit the Conservancy’s Trails Forever Legacy Fund, an endowment dedicated solely to preserving, maintaining, and enhancing Cuyahoga Valley National Park trails. The goal of the Fund is to raise a $10 million endowment that will generate $500,000 annually for the park’s 100+ miles of trails.
Elevation begins with an early evening hike along the Ledges Trail, which features some of the most spectacular geology in the valley. Guests will walk alongside towering sandstone ledges and view the honeycombed conglomerate of the Ritchie Ledges.
After the hike, guests can grab a drink, mingle with friends, and munch on a buffet-style meal. Later, hiking boots will turn into dancing shoes, as attendees enjoy live music from Abby Normal and the Detroit Lean under the Ledges Shelter. With plenty of room to move, everyone can dance the evening away under the stars — or relax by a campfire while night falls.
What exactly do the event proceeds support? In 2016, the Trails Forever Legacy Fund helped fund restoration projects on several heavily used trails in the park, including Langes Run, Lake and Pine Grove Trails, and the Ledges Trail. In addition, two trail interns were hired to coordinate volunteer projects on the Towpath Trail, the valley’s popular biking path.
In past years, Legacy Fund distributions have also funded the restoration and reopening of Tabletop Trail, flooding and erosion control on the Towpath, a mobile “tool shed” for trail repairs, and key trail crew positions.
Looking ahead, the park will rely upon the Trails Forever Legacy Fund to help maintain nearly 10 miles of newly constructed East Rim mountain bike trails (built with 100% donated funds). Another major focus will be modifying existing trails to improve their sustainability, primarily through better erosion control and flood prevention.
Elevation attendees will support these trail projects and more like them. The event is Friday, June 16, from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. at the Ledges Shelter (701 Truxell Road, Peninsula). Tickets for the event are $85 each, but you can get the early-bird price of $75 if you purchase by May 31. For tickets and more information, visit forCVNP.org/elevation or call 330-657-2909.
The Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a nonprofit organization created to engage public support for the park and provide services to enhance public use and enjoyment of the park. The Conservancy’s vision is to connect people to their national park and preserve it for future generations. For more information, visit forCVNP.org.