Providence Metropark

Providence Metropark spreads along the Miami and Erie Canal with the Isaac Ludwig Mill and a working lock system from the 1800s. The grounds connect the original waterway with structures from when canal transport moved goods across the region.

The mill started as a sawmill in 1866 and later became a grain processing facility. The canal itself was part of a larger trade route that connected northern and southern Ohio through water transportation.

The lock system here shows how boats once moved through water level changes on the canal route. Visitors can see the engineering methods that made long-distance water travel possible in the 1800s.

The park is open daily from early morning until sunset with walking paths along the water. Staff members are available to guide visitors through the grounds and answer questions about the canal and mill buildings.

Visitors can take mule-drawn boat rides during warmer months on the original waterway. These rides recreate how freight and passengers once moved through this part of Ohio.

Location: Grand Rapids

GPS coordinates: 41.41583,-83.85861

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:42