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News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 8, 2005

TAFT ANNOUNCES $6.25 MILLION IN
CLEAN OHIO TRAILS GRANTS

COLUMBUS (March 7, 2005) – Governor Bob Taft today announced $6.25 million in Clean Ohio Trails Fund grants to 21 communities and organizations, reaffirming his commitment to improve and expand the state’s network of recreational trails.

“These grants allow us to enhance Ohio’s system of recreational trail and wildlife habitats and improve the quality of life for all Ohioans,” said Taft. “Our ultimate goal is to create a statewide system of recreational trails that every Ohioan can access within 10 minutes of home.”

Today’s announcement marks the third round of Clean Ohio Trails Grants, with a total of $25 million going to local trail projects over four years through the Clean Ohio Program.

The program was initiated by Governor Taft and approved by voters in November 2000. Each Clean Ohio Trail Grant requires a minimum 25 percent match with local funds.

In the FY 2005-2006 capital budget signed last month, Taft and legislators authorized $100 million in new funding for the Clean Ohio Fund.  To date, $200 million has been allocated to Clean Ohio Fund projects including the Clean Ohio Trails Fund. 

The Clean Ohio initiative provides community-directed investments for revitalizing urban areas, protecting rivers and watersheds, preserving green space and farmland, and expanding Ohio’s system of recreational trails.

County
Applicant
Amount
Project
Ashtabula
Ashtabula Township Park Commission
$130,000
Engineering and construction of the 2,990-foot Indian Trail, as well as improvements to existing facilities
Auglaize
Heritage Trails Park District
$94,000
Surface improvements to 2 miles of existing Miami-Erie Canal Towpath
Butler
City of Hamilton
$214,000
Construct a 150-foot bridge for the Great Miami Recreational Trail
Butler
Butler County Metroparks
$500,000
Construction of 1.4 miles of paved trail along the Miami-Erie Canal
Cuyahoga
Cleveland Metroparks
$400,000
Construction of 1.6 miles of paved all-purpose trail to link two wetlands
Darke
Village of Osgood
$150,000
Construction of .75-mile asphalt trail and bridge to span 25-foot easement purchase that is included in project
Fairfield
Lancaster Park Board
$400,000
Engineering and planning for 2.2 miles of phase 3 of the Fairfield Heritage Trail
Franklin
Columbus Parks & Recreation
$148,000
Construction of .31-mile trail and improvements to Alum Creek Trail, Nelson Park to I-670
Guernsey
City of Cambridge
$375,000
Construction of 4,700-foot asphalt bike path, including a bridge and call box at Cambridge Creek Crossing
Hamilton
City of Wyoming
$480,000
Engineering and construction of a new 3,000-foot asphalt trail along Mill Creek
Licking
City of Heath
$290,000
Construction of new 3,400-foot asphalt trail - Irvingwick Connection
Lucas
Olander Park System
$325,000
Construct approximately 2 miles of new asphalt trail on the Western Sylvania Township Bicycle Trail
Lucas
Toledo Parks & Recreation
$265,000
Construct a 7,300-foot trail with site furnishings on abandoned right of way as part of the North Toledo Maumee River Crossing
Miami
City of Troy
$80,000
Extension of trail in Duke Park, over a Great Miami River tributary
Montgomery
City of Kettering
$260,000
Construction of an asphalt extension of the Kettering Recreational Trail
Montgomery, Greene, Clark
Five Rivers Metroparks
$500,000
Acquisition of 15 acres of abandoned rail corridor for future trail development
Ross
City of Greenfield
$144,000
Acquisition of 10 miles of abandoned rail corridor for the Tri-County Triangle Trail
Sandusky
Sandusky Park District
$375,000
Construction of 10 miles of paved trail linking Fremont, Lindsey and Elmore
Stark
City of Canton
$445,000
Construction of a 5-mile segment of the Canton Downtown Connector, portion of a 12-mile trail
Summit
City of Akron
$425,000
Construction of a trailhead and 4,500 foot of additional trail on the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath
Summit
Summit County Metroparks
$250,000
Construction of 2.4 miles of multi-purpose limestone trail, boardwalks, parking lot, bike rack, signage and restrooms on the Towpath Trail

More information about the Clean Ohio Fund is available at http://clean.ohio.gov

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For additional news online, check out the ODNR Press Room at Ohiodnr.com

For Further Information Contact:
Jane Beathard, ODNR Media Relations
(614) 265-6860

or

Mark Rickel, Governor’s Office
(614) 644-0957