Johannah James
jrj004@marietta.edu
Marietta, Ohio has the benefit of being located along the confluence of two beautiful riversides – the Ohio River and the Muskingum River. The town’s rich history is tied to this choice location and its original settlement of Campus Martius. Today, the town is utilizing its gorgeous riverside to encourage physical activity in its community with the Marietta River Trail.
Spanning 3.5 miles from the Fair Grounds along the Muskingum to the Gunlock Bike Park along the Ohio River Scenic Byway, this path provides access to a large majority of town by foot. Access to the Gunlock Bike Park has only just recently been provided as the City of Marietta repaired the bridge crossing Duck Creek earlier this year. This section of the trail was originally opened in 2019 but was closed for several years after the bridge collapsed in 2020.
Along the path, bikers and pedestrians can find a number of community parks to enjoy and benches to rest on. Notable parks include the Settler’s Bank Adult Park, which provides outdoor exercise equipment, and the East Muskingum Park, which houses several monuments of Marietta’s pioneering history. The path also passes by the Campus Martius and the Ohio River Museums, providing access to learning opportunities about the rich history of Marietta and the surrounding area.
Many events are hosted along the path throughout the year, such as Shakespeare in the Park, which just closed for this year last weekend. Earlier this year in August, the trail was host to the first iteration of ‘Rivers, Trails, and Ales’. The Marietta River Trail is just one of the many nature trails in Marietta that make the area perfect for biking, walking, and generally exploring the beautiful expanse of the town.
