Efforts to preserve Cuyahoga Valley began in the 1920s with new county park systems around Cleveland and Akron. After World War II, major suburban development projects threatened the valley as construction of interstate highways was followed by power lines, a sports stadium, and housing. Working with the county park districts, the State of Ohio studied whether a national park was feasible, and many individuals and organizations rallied around the idea. Success came in 1974. John Seiberling was a passionate advocate for valley protection, and as a congressman he introduced the legislation to establish Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area, the park’s original name. Not everyone welcomed the new federal parklands, and many residents, including a number from Boston, felt that the federal government acquired land more aggressively than had been promised, while some felt pushed out of their communities. The original plans for I-271 showed the highway crossing Cuyahoga Valley through historic downtown Peninsula, but public outcry resulted in the bridge being built in its current location.
