Lockville Canal Park

The site was acquired 1983 by donation from Board of County Commissioners of Fairfield County.

Some of the activities you can enjoy at this park are viewing the remains of the Ohio & Erie Canal locks and the Hartman No 2 Covered Bridge, birding, photography, walking the old towpath, playing in the mown grassy areas, picnicking.

Lock South 11

The main features of this park are the the remains of Lock South 11 (photo at right), Lock South 12 which is also called Tennis, Tennat or Tenant Lock, and Lock South 13 which is called Rowe Lock of the Ohio & Erie Canal.

Construction of Ohio & Erie Canal was in the 1820-30s.  It was a 308-mile highway of water that connected Lake Erie at Cleveland to the Ohio River at Portsmouth.  By 1911, most of the southern portion of the canal was in disuse.  Just two years later, extensive flooding caused destruction of most locks.  Very few locks are in tact but their remains are found throughout the state.

Just north of Lockville Canal Park are Locks South 14 through 17, but they are on private properties.

A few years ago, efforts were made to prevent further deterioration of these structures of native sandstone.

Hartman No 2 Covered Bridge

Found between locks South 11 and South 12 is Hartman No 2 Covered Bridge.  It was built in 1888 by Jacob R “Blue Jeans” Brandt or William Funk using the queen post truss and is 48′ long.

Originally she was located over Raccoon Creek on Wheeling Road east of Lancaster.  In 1967, to save her from demolition, the bridge was moved to sit over the dry Ohio & Erie Canal.  Since then some restoration work has been necessary.

Towpath Trail

This trail is approximately 0.5 miles long along the top of the old canal towpath. It is an unpaved trail that could be considered easy.

Lockville Picnic Shelter

Reservations: No. Available daily on a first-come basis at no charge.
Rental Fee:  N/A
Security Deposit:  N/A

Electricity:  No
Bathrooms:  No

Description:  This shelter has four 8′-long picnic tables and will seat approximately 24-32 people.  There is no paved path from the parking lot.

There are three additional picnic tables under the trees near the parking area and one picnic table near the bridge.  There are five benches in other areas of the park, three near the parking area and two near the bridge.