Manhattan Marsh Preserve
Organization: Metroparks Toledo
Park: Manhattan Marsh
City: Toledo, OH
Length: ~1,500 feet of concrete boardwalk
Expanding community access while protecting our natural areas
As one of Toledo’s most biodiverse outdoor spaces, Manhattan Marsh Park required a boardwalk solution that accounted for its sensitive habitat – while still providing ~1,500 feet of concrete boardwalk for visitor enjoyment. TerraTread’s walkway is not only visually stunning, it also provides a smooth, stable, and long-lasting path that can withstand both heavy use and constant moisture from the marsh below.
1.3 Miles of Continuous Access
The newly constructed concrete trail now forms a seamless 1.3-mile loop around a protected native marsh, guiding visitors through the landscape while preserving the surrounding ecosystem.
3 Separate Boardwalks
Three thoughtfully placed boardwalks extend along the trail, allowing visitors to safely cross sensitive wetland areas while minimizing impact on native plants and habitats below.
73 Acres Now Accessible
The project unlocked access to 73 acres of previously unreachable natural land, giving visitors the opportunity to engage with local wildlife—including over 100 species of birds—in their natural environment.
How Our Concrete Walkway System Works
Constructed from the top down with durable, pre-cast concrete treads, TerraTread installs quickly and cleanly, minimizing impact to the landscape or daily park use. Whether you’re building in wetlands, wooded trails, or urban greenspace, TerraTread is designed to handle 75+ years of foot traffic, utility vehicles, and exposure to the elements, making it a superior alternative to wood, plastic, and composite boardwalks alike.
Sustainable Construction for Sensitive Natural Areas
In parks, wetlands, and conservation zones, low-impact construction isn’t optional — it’s essential. TerraTread was designed to become a part of the landscape. Our installation method protects vegetation and habitats, while the finished walkway stays maintenance-free for decades.
The TerraTread difference:
- Simple, non-invasive installation
- Top-down construction for sensitive & water applications
- Supports H5 loads (10,000 lbs) for easy installation
- No disruption from frequent maintenance
- Reduced materials waste
- Environmentally friendly concrete
No maintenance. Just great views.
TerraTread is built to complement natural environments like this one, not disrupt them. With over ~1,500 feet of pedestrian walkways and overlooks built from sustainable concrete, Manhattan Marsh Park visitors can enjoy uninterrupted views – and access to parts of the park that would otherwise remain inaccessible on foot.
Why choose concrete
Outlasts Wood
Unlike wood, concrete won’t warp, splinter, crack, fade, or rot. It’s resilient across environments, withstands corrosion, and is excellent for water applications.
Heavy Load Capacity
TerraTread can withstand H5 loads (10,000 lbs) for easy installation from the top down – perfect for anything from regular foot traffic to golf cart use.
Smart Investment
With no maintenance and a lifespan of more than 70 years, TerraTread saves both money and time when compared to wood, metal, and composite.
Environmentally Friendly
With its long lifespan and resilient construction, choosing TerraTread means you won’t need to disrupt sensitive environments with maintenance or new builds every 5-10 years.
Your park’s future boardwalk starts here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Precast concrete is a construction product produced by casting concrete in a reusable mold or form in a controlled environment, then curing it and transporting it to the construction site. This ensures consistent quality, strength, and faster installation.
Precast concrete offers better quality control, faster installation times, reduced site disruption, and improved durability. It’s especially ideal for remote or environmentally sensitive locations.
No. Our boardwalk surfaces are finished with a textured, slip-resistant pattern that meets or exceeds safety standards for pedestrian walkways, even in wet conditions.
Unlike wood or composite materials, concrete doesn’t rot, warp, splinter, or require chemical treatment. It’s fire-resistant, has a much longer lifespan, and requires significantly less maintenance.
Yes. Our elevated boardwalk systems are designed to minimize ground disturbance, utilizing top-down construction, making them ideal for wetlands, coastal dunes, and protected ecosystems.
With proper design and installation, precast concrete boardwalks can last 60–75 years or more, far outlasting wood and composite alternatives.
Yes. Our treads are engineered for dual use. This versatility ensures visual consistency and simplifies project design.
Both. Our precast treads can be engineered as structural retaining walls to hold back soil or as free-standing walls for architectural, sound barrier, or privacy applications. Each panel is designed to meet the specific structural and aesthetic needs of the project.
Yes. Color can be added through post-installation staining or surface treatments, but these options increase project costs and may require ongoing maintenance due to fading or wear.