City officials are planning a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the completion of this boat ramp behind the Waterworks baseball fields. (Stacey Carmany, Tusco TV)

NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) - The city’s mayor says the wait is nearly over canoers and kayakers hoping to get an extra leg of the Tuscarawas River under their belts. 

Joel Day says the boat ramp behind the Waterworks baseball fields is just about finished with grass being planted ahead of a ribbon-cutting ceremony being planned for the grand opening. He says people have been anticipating this project ever since it was first announced.

“We’ve got a tremendous response. It’s followed on Facebook every time I post something about it. There’s a lot of comments, encouraging comments. People are waiting for those ramps to get finished so that they can get into the river from there,” he says. “I think it’s going to be a well-used feature in New Philadelphia.”

Day says along with the initial landscaping, the city also needs to install some safety features at the ramp and on the river.

“We need time to erect the proper signage, not only around the grounds to direct people to and from the ramp but also along the river. We have to put signage so that if you’re in your canoe or kayak you can see which way you’re going or where you’re headed,” he says.

Day says they will announce a date for the ribbon cutting soon. Meanwhile, he says the 416 boat ramp at the former Carlisle Canoe Livery is expected to finish up by mid-July. 

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