COLUMBUS, Ohio — For the first time since 2020, the Muskingum River Parkway will have full navigational access from Marietta to Zanesville.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources will host a celebration on Saturday, May 31 to mark the reopening of the Rokeby Lock No. 8 on the Muskingum River Parkway. This allows Ohioans to cruise through the state's only operational hand-operated lock system.

“Restoring navigation to the entire length of the Muskingum is about more than boats on the water,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “It’s about preserving a remarkable piece of our heritage and celebrating the communities and families who’ve cherished this river for generations.”

ODNR said it's not only celebrating the reopening of the lock, but also the legacy of Muskingum River State Park, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The park is home to one of the nation's last remaining systems of hand-operated locks.

The celebration will be held from 10:30 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 31 at 698 E Riverside Dr. in McConnelsville, Ohio. More information can be found here.