New glass bridge opens at Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park

NELSON, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Natural Resources celebrated the opening of a new glass walkway at Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony today, adding a unique feature to one of northeast Ohio’s most distinctive natural areas.

The Falls Edge Glass Walkway stretches 137 feet in an elegant S-shaped design, allowing visitors to walk directly above Sylvan Creek’s gorge with views 50 feet down to the water below. The walkway extends to a point just short of Minnehaha Falls, creating the sensation of floating above the waterfall.

“This project is the perfect blend of innovation and conservation,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “The Falls Edge Glass Walkway provides visitors with an unforgettable view of this beautiful park while helping us protect the delicate ecosystems and remarkable geology that make Nelson-Kennedy Ledges so special.”

The $1.68 million project, which began in December 2022 and was completed this month, features structural-grade glass decking supported by galvanized and painted steel, with stainless steel cable railings and fiberglass grating. The design allows visitors to safely experience the park’s dramatic features without damaging sensitive natural areas.

Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park is known for distinctive rock formations including Devil’s Icebox, The Narrows, and Goldhunter’s Cave. There are also two beautiful waterfalls at the park: The 40-foot Cascade Falls and the two-tiered Minnehaha Falls. By offering a controlled viewing experience, the structure aims to reduce environmental impact while enhancing visitor safety.

ODNR also installed new wayfinding stations throughout the park with interpretive signs that provide information about the geology, plant life, and natural features unique to Nelson-Kennedy Ledges.

The thin profile of the walkway was designed to blend with the forested landscape while offering previously unavailable views of the gorge. Officials note it represents one of the most unique structural additions ever built in an Ohio state park.

Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park is open daily from dawn to dusk. Parking and restrooms are located at 12440 OH-282 Garrettsville. Visitors are reminded to stay on marked trails to protect the park’s fragile features.

I recommend taking the easy White Trail to reach the glass walkway, especially if you are bringing children. See my video above and the map below.

Generative AI was used to organize information for this story, based on data provided by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. It was reviewed and edited by cleveland.com.