Vote for a new bridge on the Brandywine Gorge Trail!

Through October 31, you can vote daily for Brandywine Gorge Trail to win a new bridge! Michelob ULTRA and the American Hiking Society will give $25,000 for the two top-voted trail projects in the country—and we need YOUR votes.

The people of northeast Ohio know how to band together for a cause—just think back to the creation of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in 1974. Today, we need your help in voting every day for this fantastic trail project in CVNP. Make the voting page your homepage, and let’s show the world how much we love our trails!

Cast your first daily vote >

The Brandywine Gorge Trail project has been nominated for the Superior Trails grant program, sponsored by Michelob ULTRA and the American Hiking Society. Ten trail projects from around the country will compete for funding, driven by your online votes.

The Brandywine Gorge Trail project has been nominated for the Superior Trails grant program, sponsored by Michelob ULTRA and the American Hiking Society. Ten trail projects from around the country will compete for funding, driven by your online votes.

Brandywine Creek meanders more gently in the fall (Photo: Andrew Gacom)

If Brandywine Gorge Trail is one of the top two projects, CVNP will receive $25,000 to complete the new bridge in the summer of 2016.

CVNP welcomes over two million visitors each year. A popular first stop is Brandywine Falls, the tallest waterfall in the park. Brandywine Gorge Trail leads visitors to the falls and features some of the best spring wildflowers and exposed geology in the park. Read more about the trail >

Brandywine Falls: a 65-foot drop over Berea Sandstone onto layers of shale (Photo: Andrew Gacom)

As you near the falls boardwalk, the trail crosses Brandywine Creek. A bridge across the creek was originally built in 2009, but severe flooding in June of 2014 moved a foundational pier and caused the bridge to collapse.

Several temporary bridge crossings have been installed during the past year, but they are also regularly washed out during heavy storms. Today, there is no temporary crossing, cutting off the popular hiking loop from Brandywine Falls.

Temporary bridge crossings have been washed away during heavy storms

By voting for Brandywine Gorge Trail during the Superior Trails campaign, you’ll help fund a much-needed new bridge for the park and save hikers from fording the creek.

A hiker fords Brandywine Creek earlier this summer

Based on soil borings of the area, the new bridge pier will be a floating slab, firmly secured with pile drivings. The design of the new pier will ensure its longevity.

If the park receives funding, visitors can enjoy this essential piece of the beloved Brandywine Gorge Trail. Can we count on you to help?

Vote now >

Make sure you bookmark the voting page to vote every day. Check out the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park's Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates and to share the campaign with your friends, too. Thanks for your support!