GARRETTSVILLE, Ohio – The region’s newest attraction is off the beaten path – literally – but it offers a gorgeous view and a glimpse into the state’s geological past.
The Falls Edge Glass Walkway in Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park lets visitors walk over the Sylvan Creek gorge, ending just over Minnehaha waterfall.
The glass-bottomed structure meanders over the gorge in a lazy “S” curve for 137 feet. The transparent flooring, which is sturdy and skid-proof, allows those walking on it to look straight down into the gorge – and millions of years of history.
Officials expect it will become a draw for tourism.
The galvanized steel structure – two and a half years in the making – is a visual and engineering marvel that complements its rugged environment without harming it.
“It’s the perfect blend of innovation and conservation,” said Mary Mertz, director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
She and other state officials unveiled the $1.68 million walkway in a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday morning.
Mertz predicted the walkway’s stunning vistas and educational component will attract new visitors to the quiet park.
“The rocks here tell us what Ohio’s environment was like hundreds of millions of years ago, and that’s an exciting and interesting aspect of a visit,” she said. “[The walkway] is the first of its kind in Ohio, and I think it will become a must-see feature for this park and this region.”
The project also included the installation of wayfinding signs and information plaques along the park’s trails that describe its geological features.
The glass-bottomed walkway is along a trail about a quarter-mile beyond the park’s main entrance on Nelson Ledges Road, about a mile north of state Route 305 in a rural area of Portage County.
Sparse in its amenities and very rugged, the park is not heavily visited – at least for now. It’s known for its massive rocks, treacherous and narrow canyons and prehistoric look. It’s open daily from dawn til dusk. Admission is free.
Andy Nash of the state geological survey division grew up in northeastern Ohio and often explored Nelson-Kennedy Ledges, and other state parks with ledges, when he was young.
“I noticed as a teen that all of these rocks [in the ledge parks] looked similar, and that was one of the first things that got me interested in geology,” Nash said. “I hope [the new walkway] inspires others.”
The rocks in Nelson-Kennedy Ledges are part of what is known as the Sharon Conglomerate. They were deposited on the land approximately 318 million years ago, at a time when what is now Ohio was south of the equator. “Plate tectonics hadn’t yet pushed us up to our present location,” Nash said.
To determine where to put the walkway, a team from the state natural resources department “scoured the park,” said Jeremy Wenner, chief of the ODNR’s engineering division. It eventually settled on Minnehaha Falls because of the 50-foot gorge and the unique shape of the rocks there.
“The team spent a lot of time focusing on the shape of the bridge and how it would fit in with the natural surroundings,” Wenner said. “It worked hard to make sure it would blend in with the space in a natural way. The ‘S’ shape helps it blend in with the rocks.”
Design and construction of the walkway was completed almost entirely by regional companies, according to John Trevelline, manager of the park.
The structure was erected by Nerone and Sons Specialized Contracting of Cleveland. OHM Advisors of Michigan, an architecture and engineering firm, handled design work.
The metal frame of the walkway was fabricated by a company in Akron, and the heavy glass panels that make up the flooring were created by a Medina company.
“It’s my hope that in years to come this bridge will become a beloved feature in this park,” Trevelline said.
Glen Cobb, chief of the state division of parks and watercraft, echoed that hope.
“This park is known for its huge rock formations and meandering trails,” he said. “People come here to escape into nature and get a look into Ohio’s geological past. We want them to have the most unique experience possible, and what could be more unique than walking directly above a gorge and looking down at the water flowing 50 feet below?”
Cobb said he believes the walkway will boost tourism in the region. He pointed out that a photo of Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park graces the cover of the 2025 Ohio Tourism Guide.
Pictured at top: The new Falls Edge Glass Walkway at Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park.