The park marks the spot where Ebenezer Zane and his party arrived in 1797 to establish the town that became Zanesville.
It sits at the junction of the Muskingum River and the Licking River, a strategic location for early 19th-century river trade.
The park is directly adjacent to the fifth iteration of the historic Y-Bridge, which is one of the few structures of its kind in the United States.
The riverfront area was historically a major transshipment point for flatboats and steamboats traveling the Muskingum River.
The Zanesville Y-Bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Zane Landing Park serves as the primary riverfront public space in Zanesville, Ohio, situated at the confluence of the Licking and Muskingum Rivers. It is a historic site commemorating the original landing point of Ebenezer Zane, the city's founder, in 1797. The park features paved walking paths along the Muskingum River and serves as a trailhead for regional riverfront connectivity. It functions as a community gathering space often utilized for local festivals and outdoor events. The site provides unobstructed views of the iconic Y-Bridge, a unique triple-span concrete bridge structure that crosses the river junction. Memorial markers within the park detail the early settlement history of the Muskingum Valley.
The northern edge of the park facing the center of the Y-Bridge provides the most balanced perspective of the structure.
Visit during a local river festival to see the park at its most active.
Carry binoculars for a better view of the Y-Bridge traffic patterns and river wildlife.
Check local event calendars as the park is frequently reserved for community celebrations.
Do not attempt to walk along the riverbanks outside of designated paved paths, as the shoreline can be steep and uneven.
Park grounds are generally accessible year-round, though public events are concentrated in the spring through early autumn.
