Dayton is first and foremost a river town. Throughout its long history, the city has depended on the river for commerce, transportation, and entertainment; however, it is sometimes easy for people to forget this heritage in an era of automobiles and communities that span areas without river access.
“People say, ‘We need to leverage the river as much as possible,’” said Dan Foley, director of The Great Miami Riverway. The river still remains a vital artery linking the communities of the Greater Dayton area together, and the path along the water boasts many opportunities for recreation, exercise, shopping, and dining, to attract locals and visitors alike.
In 2014, the area received federal money to plan a corridor from Sidney in the north to Hamilton in the south. This became The Great Miami Riverway. “The master plan is to help bring people to the region,” Foley said.
There is a lot here for people to enjoy. In addition to the extensive network of paved trails, there is a paddle-able river (of course) and 10 communities with 13 craft breweries and dozens of restaurants and shopping areas.
To encourage people to tailor their own adventures this summer, the Riverway has launched an app that will help users customize their experiences, while meeting challenges that enter users into prize drawings. Challenges include those tailored to eating and drinking, shopping, entertainment, and exploration. “In addition to the variety, we selected the challenge activities to allow for a range of personal contact, so you can ensure your own comfort and safety,” said Foley.
The challenge runs all summer long, but the adventures to be had along The Great Miami Riverway will go all year round. What a great way to celebrate our river town!
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Take the Challenge
1. Download the Riverway app from the Apple App Store or Google Play, and create an account.
2. Do something from the Riverway Summer Challenge list, and check that item off your list on the app.
3. For extra chances to win, post a picture on social media with #RiverwayChallenge. (Make sure the post is public.)