New Philadelphia, OH (April 13, 2026) — The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) invites the public to celebrate the grand opening of the new Quarry Trail at Clendening Lake Dam with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, April 24 at 2:00 p.m.
The Clendening Dam is located at 28700 CR-69 in Tippecanoe, OH.
“The Quarry Trail offers a one-of-a-kind experience where visitors can step into local history while enjoying scenic views of Clendening Lake, mature forests, and striking rock formations,” said Pete Novotny, MWCD chief of recreation. “We’re excited to unveil this new trail that features diverse terrain and points of interest, including large trailside boulders, seasonal wildflowers, and elevated views of the lake making it an engaging destination for hikers of varying experience levels.”
Following the ceremony, MWCD staff will lead a guided hike of the 1.3 mile intermediate, natural-surface loop trail, highlighting its construction, surrounding landscape, and the historic significance of the former Halderman Stone Quarry.
Originally decommissioned in 1906, the quarry was once a key source of sandstone used for foundation stones, mill stones, and pulp stones distributed throughout Ohio. Today, the site has transformed into a thriving natural area, where a distinctive microclimate supports a wide variety of wildflowers and native vegetation.
Additional information is available online at www.mwcd.org.
About Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District
The MWCD, a political subdivision of the state, was organized in 1933 to develop and implement a plan to reduce flooding and conserve water for beneficial public uses in the Muskingum River Watershed, the largest wholly contained watershed in Ohio. Since their construction, the 16 reservoirs and dams in the MWCD region have been credited for saving over $9 billion worth of potential property damage from flooding according to the federal government, as well as providing popular recreational opportunities that bolster the region’s economy, garnering more than 5 million visitors annually. A significant portion of the reservoirs are managed by the MWCD, and the dams are managed for flood-risk management by the federal U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). For more information about the MWCD, visit www.mwcd.org and follow the MWCD on Facebook and Instagram.
