Research Paper: Cuyahoga Valley National Park The area surrounding the Cuyahoga River is known for being extremely polluted and industrialized. An exception to this is Cuyahoga Valley National Park. This area has a rich history and has been used for centuries as a source of livelihood, industrialization and recreation. This rural oasis occupies nearly thirty-two square miles in northeast Ohio and is the state's only national park. It was recognized as an official National Park in 2000 and was previously known as Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area. Cuyahoga Valley National Park preserves a rural landscape along the Cuyahoga River and serves as a contrast to the otherwise metropolitan setting. Cuyahoga Valley National Park was formed the same way as most other valleys. It is believed that long before the Ice Age occurred, an ancient river carved out this area. This river left deposits that after millions of years transformed into the park's sandstone bedrock. With the onset of the Ice Age, this river froze and became part of a glacier which had an even greater effect on the valley's landscape. These glaciers scraped northeastern Ohio and in the process left deposits that now make up the park's breeding ground ("Rock, Ice and River"). . Even the name of the river and consequently of the valley is an indigenous word meaning "crooked river" ("Industrialization"). This name was given because the river has many twists and turns and flows from north to south. The history of this park dates back to the Ice Age. The first people to roam this vast valley were known as Paleo Indians... middle of paper... it's cool year round. Park-goers have the opportunity to hike and climb ledges and explore caves ("Ritchie Ledges"). While the natural beauty of this park is the main attraction, the man-made attractions should not be overlooked. The Ohio Erie Canal Towpath is the man-made attraction that offers the most entertainment to park goers. This route follows the exact path of the historic Erie Canal. People have the opportunity to walk, run, cross-country ski, and bike on this trail (“Ohio Erie Canal Towpath”). Cuyahoga Valley National Park preserves a rural landscape in an otherwise metropolitan area. This thirty-two thousand acre national park is located between the suburbs of Cleveland and Akron and covers twenty-two miles of the Cuyahoga River. This park offers people the opportunity to connect with the outdoors and enjoy the beauty that comes with it.