What is a Water Trail?
A water trail is an official state designation given to a river or creek primarily used for recreational canoeing and kayaking. For a stretch of water to garner official state designation as a water trail it needs to include a public planning process, maps and signage, access points, management/stewardship commitment, safety information, local government partnership and a logo.

Dayton Waters
The Dayton area has an incredible resource with its network of rivers and streams. Five Rivers MetroParks is actively working to create better access to water, increased amenities such as camping and potentially whitewater play spots. Ultimately, our vision is to have an integrated system of recreation and water trails that can be used in a variety of ways to improve the quality of life in the Dayton region.

No Dayton area rivers are designated official water trails at this time; however, Five Rivers MetroParks is exploring this official designation for our outstanding paddling waterways such as the Mad River, Twin Creek, Great Miami River and the Stillwater River.

River Improvements
Five Rivers MetroParks is committed to a Blueway/Greenway system that envisions safe access for paddlers and a connected network of services to support the recreational trails and river trails here in Dayton. A whitewater park is a big piece of this puzzle but not the only piece.

Five Rivers MetroParks is currently working with community partners to restore an approx. one mile stretch of the Mad River from Harshman Road to the west end of Eastwood MetroPark. The project seeks to improve in-stream water and habitat quality, while mitigating bank erosion, removing invasive plant species and replanting native riparian plant communities. A related project will improve river access and recreation opportunities. Engineering design and permitting activities are ongoing. The project is unfunded at this time. MetroParks and its partners hope to raise funding from a variety of grant opportunities in the 2010 and 2011 timeframe.

In addition, MetroParks continues to work with its partners to explore options for safe access through the low head dams on the Great Miami River along with developing the network of land based amenities for recreation trail users.

Visit the Miami Conservancy District's web site for more information on local water trails.