Recreational Activities

The River Trail

Marietta offers two types of trails for your enjoyment. The River Trail is a paved surface perfect for walking, bicycling with family, or taking Fido for a leisurely stroll. For the more adventurous, the Marietta Trail Network leads through many miles of off-road terrain, ideal for hiking and mountain biking.

The River Trail

The River Trail is currently 3.28 miles. The first phase of the project, which runs from Indian Acres Boat Ramp to the Putnam Street Bridge, was completed in 2005. The second phase extended the trail from the bridge, along Post Street, Ohio Street, and then along the Levee to South Fourth Street. The third phase extends from South Fourth Street to Jefferson Street, behind K-Mart. The Trail now runs from the Indian Acres Boat Ramp along the river - all the way to East 8th and Jefferson Streets, behind K-Mart. Phase 5 of the Trail is currently in the funding stage and will extend to Wal-Mart.

Detailed map of Marietta's walking and bike trails

Marietta High School Mountain Bike Trails

Welcome to the Marietta Trail Network! Adventure awaits you, exploring the city's beautiful wooded hills and valleys! Here you will find maps of Marietta's ever-growing trail system. Mountain biking, hiking, trail running and bird watching are all popular activities on the trails. The Marietta Trail Network (MTN) currently consists of 15 miles of off-road hiking and mountain biking trail and 2 miles of paved shared use path. The MTN connects many of the area's parks, schools and neighborhoods utilizing undeveloped public and privately owned land. A visit to the MTN is the perfect natural compliment to your Marietta visit and is the primary destination for some.

The MTN has something for everyone! Most trails in the MTN are of beginner to intermediate difficulty. The River Trail is a mostly level paved path that follows the Muskingum and Ohio rivers. This trail is perfect for a relaxing bike ride or walk with a stroller or wheel chair. Looking for more of an adventure? The MTN's off-road trails provide a variety of options ranging from a quick 30 minute walk or ride, to an all-day excursion sure to please even the biggest outdoor enthusiast!

Marietta's off-road trails are constructed and maintained by the River Valley Mountain Bike Association (RVMBA.COM). The RVMBA also builds and maintains trail in the Marietta Unit of Wayne National Forest, Mountwood Park and North Bend State Park. The RVMBA hosts group rides and local events such as The Wayne Ultra (June 28th) and Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day (October 3rd). On the last Monday of the month (April-October) you can join RVMBA members for our Marietta city group ride. This 10+/- mile group ride, open to the public, begins at 5:30pm in the city parking lot on the corner of 2nd & Butler St (behind CVS). For more information on other group rides, events or trails in the area, visit RVMBA.COM

The MTN is open to bicycle and foot travel only. To avoid damage to off-road trails, please avoid use during wet or "muddy" conditions. On the trail, uphill traffic has the right-of-way, bicycles yield to hikers and always expect and respect other users. Happy Trails!

Detailed map of Marietta's walking and bike trails

Kroger Wetland and Becky's Meadow were developed so you could experience a wetland and become familiar with flora and fauna native to Ohio.

Crooked Creek separates Kroger Wetland from the homes on Phillips Street and joins Duck Creek on the other side of the I-77 Interstate off-ramp. This twenty-acre area was a natural wetland before the interstate and shopping center were built. It has several of the requisite plants for a wetland -- varieties of sedges and rushes as well as arrowhead, water plantain and cattails. Most of what you see in the wetland area is natural growth, but two intrusive aliens, autumn olive and ailanthus, also thrive.

The area consists of several ponds whose depth varies with rainfall and the season. A loop trail about a mile long around the wet area crosses a bridge over the outlet to Crooked Creek with interpretative signs along the trail that keep you in touch with sightings from the trail. Walkers can take Drayer trail, which connects the loop to East Phillips Street. This path takes walkers into the higher areas of the wetland with gaura plant, white pines, Osage orange. Beavers have had access to the wetland through the Interstate culvert and have dammed Crooked Creek in the past, which resulted in flooded backyards of property owners. The beaver dams were destroyed and they have not returned. However, they left their marks on several black cherry trees along the loop path.

Kroger Wetlands
There are many animals that still live in the wetland. Nesting birds include mallards, Canada geese, wood ducks, tree swallows, common yellowthroat, yellow warblers, catbirds, willow flycatchers, various woodpeckers, robins, wrens, chickadees, titmice and song sparrows. The Interstate to the east provides a challenge to birders listening for calls and songs.

Kroger Corporation, which has a store off Acme Street, donated the land to the city of Marietta. It is maintained by residents and student volunteers who mulch the trail as needed. The wheelbarrow chained alongside the trail is used for that purpose.

The entrance to the park, on Acme Street, is signaled with a sign. Visitors can park in the gravel parking lot and access the loop trail from the parking lot. All visitors are encouraged to stay on the trail to avoid poison ivy, which thrives in the wild.

Enjoy your visit.

   

Skate Park-located at Indian Acres Park
New bowl & cradle
Open to public
No bicycles allowed on Skate Park please.

Welcome to Marietta’s newest park system attraction – the Settlers Bank Adult Exercise Park!

Senior/Adult playgrounds are growing rapidly in the U.S. This is a great addition in Marietta to alleviate some of the problems of both physical and mental wellness in a fun outdoor environment. 

The Settlers Bank Adult Park consists of nine steel outdoor pieces of non-adjustable equipment each containing signage instructions for use and muscles addressed.  In addition, the machines have multiple stations and can accommodate up to 19 users simultaneously.  Four stations offer wheelchair accessibility, and all vary in resistance to accommodate a variety of people with different abilities.

The park is located in the green space in the 500 block of Front Street so that residents can also enjoy the bike trail, river view, shade trees, and parking near the Washington Street Bridge. 

Efforts have been made to beautify the area with benches, picnic tables, flowers, river bank maintenance, and newly planted trees – all donated by organizations or individuals. 

You can feel comfortable using the new park as we have added lighting and signage to ensure proper usage. Marietta College also performs monthly maintenance to make certain that the equipment is in safe, working order. 

This 3P (Public, Private Partneship) would not have been possible without donations from the following:

Settlers Bank
Peoples Bank
Marietta Memorial Hospital
Shelly & Sands
Dr. Bradley & Stephanie Carman
Francis Bishop
Judge Randall Burnworth & Rebecca Johnson
Marietta Noons Lion Club
Lowe's Heroes
Bridgeport Equipment
Marietta in Bloom - Donis Yoder, Dr. Russell & Tammy Schreiber
Greenleaf Landscaping
Cindy Oxender
Carl Carpenter
Don & Jan Rary
Dr. Austin Rehl, MCF
Dr. & Mrs. Tom Bartsokas
United Rental
Marietta College
Black Tree Service
Huck’s Greenhouse
Apex True Value
Your Way Landscaping
Crescent McConnell
Jim Amrine
Thompson's Landscaping
Marietta Community Federation
Smith Concrete
Washington County Veteran Services Commission
Rev. & Mrs. Craig Butler
Discount Signs & Awnings
Eye Care Associates
Ms. Elizabeth A. Fordyce, PhD
Franklin Fire & Signs
Mr. Joey Hammond
Marietta Chamber of Commerce
Marietta Washington County CVB
Muskingum Garden Club
Marty's Print Shop
Mr. & Mrs. John Paugstat & Family
Sewah Studios
Sherwin Williams
Valley Gem
Washington County Health Dept.
Mr. Jim & Pat Waybright
Mayor Joe Matthews / City of Marietta Administration
Marietta City Council
& Jane Jones, Concept Originator and Guru