McWane River Walk improves outdoor recreation in Coshocton

Leonard L. Hayhurst, Coshocton Tribune
·4 min read

COSHOCTON − A major employer is investing in the Coshocton Community with a $500,000 donation aimed at improving the quality of life.

A dedication ceremony was held recently by Coshocton County Commissioners for the McWane River Walk, funded by McWane Ductile. The project was announced in August.

The river walk begins at the west end of Main Street, passes Skip's Landing and weaves along the Muskingum and Tuscarawas rivers to connect with the Lake Park Connector Path. It will also eventually connect with the proposed County Road 621 multi-use path scheduled for completion in 2025.

Local officials and representatives of McWane Ductile participate in a ribbon cutting for the now open McWane River Walk near Skip's Landing on County Road 1A.
Local officials and representatives of McWane Ductile participate in a ribbon cutting for the now open McWane River Walk near Skip's Landing on County Road 1A.

Commissioner Dane Shryock said the path will provide opportunities for outdoor recreation, healthier lifestyles and safer connectivity between neighborhoods, local businesses and schools to provide a more vibrant community.

"This area 20 years ago didn't even begin to look like this. It was rundown, there was actually a coal tipple here at one point and houses up and down this road that got flooded constantly," Shryock said as he looked out the green space now along County Road 1A. "In today's society, it becomes increasingly important for communities to have opportunities for outdoor recreation, especially trails and walking paths. Studies have proven that spending time outdoors not only benefits individuals mental and physical health but also increases local business, provides an enhanced quality of life and helps to provide a higher sense of hometown pride."

Coshocton County Commissioner Dane Shryock and Administrator Mary Beck talk with Philip McWane, president of McWane Ductile, at an opening of the McWane River Walk on County Road 1A. Funding for the project came from a $500,000 donation from the company.
Coshocton County Commissioner Dane Shryock and Administrator Mary Beck talk with Philip McWane, president of McWane Ductile, at an opening of the McWane River Walk on County Road 1A. Funding for the project came from a $500,000 donation from the company.

The McWane investment

Tom Crawford, McWane Ductile - Ohio vice president and general manager, said the company takes immense pride being in the Coshocton community and wants to do what it can not only for its employees and their families, but all residents.

Originally, Coshocton County Administrator Mary Beck went to Crawford asking for $75,000 to build a dog park adjacent to Skip's Landing. Crawford wasn't keen on the idea, wanting something that represented a larger impact and investment.

"Our vision at McWane Ductile is really families and children, and what can we do to enhance our community. A dog park was great, but didn't quite fit where we wanted to go," Crawford said.

Beck pitched the river walk idea and Crawford went to the McWane Foundation for the $500,000 donation. At a general managers' meeting, he was stunned to find that company President Philip McWane was on board with the project.

"Philip stands up to speak at the beginning of this general managers' meeting and welcomes everybody. He says, 'We want to give back in our communities, we want to do good things and a good example is what's going on in Coshocton.' He said, 'Tom, you've got your $500,000.' Phillip made that decisions in 10 minutes to give to this community," Crawford recalled.

McWane said the river walk represented a big milestone for the company as it tries to deeply intertwine itself with the communities where it has factories. He said the path wasn't just brick and mortar, but fostering a more vibrant community for everybody who lives and works in Coshocton County.

"For decades, McWane Ductile has been an important part of this community. We've not only operated here, but have grown and thrived along with the families and businesses that call this town their own. It's a relationship we hold dear and it's why we're committed to investing in its future," McWane said. "Our commitment to this project and the people of this town is a testament to our belief in community. A belief rooted in our history and shared aspirations for a brighter tomorrow."

Philip McWane of McWane Ductile speaks at a ribbon cutting for the new McWane River Walk funded by a $500,000 donation from the company.
Philip McWane of McWane Ductile speaks at a ribbon cutting for the new McWane River Walk funded by a $500,000 donation from the company.

Importance of the river walk

Shryock also touted the importance of public-private partnerships on such community betterment projects. While the county has been able to do several capital projects recently with the aide of state funding, including construction of a new Coshocton Justice Center and Coshocton County Emergency Medical Services station, it takes the investment and engagement of local companies and individuals to make a big difference.

"Any government that changes its community does not do so from within. They need help from private-public partnerships and McWane has stepped up big time in a gift for Coshocton," Shryock said.

Tom Crawford, general manager for the McWane Ductile plant in Coshocton, talks at a ribbon cutting for the McWane River Walk, funded by $500,000 from the company.
Tom Crawford, general manager for the McWane Ductile plant in Coshocton, talks at a ribbon cutting for the McWane River Walk, funded by $500,000 from the company.

Shryock had dinner about three years ago with a venture capitalist who moved his business from San Francisco to Columbus. He pressed upon Shryock the change that would be coming as other west coast companies relocated, something that's coming to fruition with the Intel chip plant being constructed in Licking County, and how communities like Coshocton needed to be ready to accommodate new residents and tourists.

"He said the communities have to understand image and providing activities for people to live here is important. That was a very well learned lesson for a country boy like me," Shryock said. "We brought that vision back here and instilled it in our office. That's what we're trying to do everyday, change the brand and image of Coshocton to make it attractive to everyone who wants to live here or visit here."

Leonard Hayhurst is a community content coordinator and general news reporter for the Coshocton Tribune with more than 15 years of local journalism experience and multiple awards from the Ohio Associated Press. He can be reached at 740-295-3417 or llhayhur@coshoctontribune.com. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @llhayhurst.

This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: McWane River Walk opens in Coshocton