Parkersburg Ohio River Trail (PORT) Grand Opening

Our thanks to Keith Roberts at the Parkersburg Police Department for this drone footage of the PORT.

The City of Parkersburg, along with city officials, stakeholders, and community members will officially open the Parkersburg Ohio River Trail (PORT) on Thursday, October 26th at 2pm. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place on the trail at the bridge, approximately a 1/4 mile from the amphitheater. 

Ryan Barber, Director of Development, will give a brief history of the project and recognize the key contributors and stakeholders of the project. Mayor Tom Joyce will also make brief remarks about the City's commitment to community development.

All attendees will be invited to take a short walk, run, or bike ride on the trail immediately following the ceremony. 

Event details:
Date: Thursday, October 26
Time: 2:00 pm
Location: Point Park Trail, at the bridge

In the event of rain, the event will be moved inside the Greater Parkersburg CVB located just outside the floodwall. 

Project Background

In today’s increasingly mobile and interconnected society, people often choose where they want to live before taking a job.  Studies show that young people/professionals are attracted to places that have a sense of community and good quality of life – including recreational amenities.  This trail has been in discussion and/or planning stages for more than 20 years.  Now, it will enhance the city’s network of bicycle trails and enable further extension projects to the north.  The goal among regional planners is to develop a multiuse trail system that connects Parkersburg to Marietta, as well as to the North Bend Rail Trail and beyond. 

In this phase. the Parkersburg Ohio River Trail (PORT) extends the existing trail, at Riverfront Park, in a northerly direction along the river (2.6 miles) to the city’s corporation limits, including a 44-foot concrete bridge over the Pond Run outfall.  The path is 10 feet wide to accommodate two lanes of pedestrian and/or bicycle traffic.