COLUMBUS - Eighteen recreational trail projects across the state will soon share $1,095,000 in federal grants, based on recommendations by Governor Bob Taft and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
Recreational trail projects in 20 counties are likely to receive funds from the Recreational Trails Program (RTP), pending final approval by the Federal Highway Administration in coming months.
Recreational trails contribute significantly to the economic well being of our state and enhance the quality of life of all Ohioans, said Governor Taft. These grants will help our local partners expand and improve Ohio's system of recreational trails.
The largest recommended award, $140,000 for the Monday Creek ATV Trail, will go to the U.S. Forest Service to restore and maintain 30 miles of off-road vehicle trails in Wayne National Forest in Hocking and Perry counties.
The City of Ravenna was recommended to receive $120,000 for a 5,000-foot trail on a former railroad right-of-way between Chestnut Hills Park and the Towner Woods Rail Trail.
ODNR reviews local applications for RTP grants and recommends successful recipients for final federal approval. The federal government provides up to 80 percent reimbursement for trail projects through each RTP grant, while the local project sponsor is responsible for the remainder. Federal funds supporting the program are derived from a portion of the federal gasoline tax attributed to motorized recreational use. At least 30 percent of Ohio's annual allocation under the program must benefit trails for motorized vehicles.
EDITOR'S NOTE: A LIST OF TRAIL PROJECTS RECOMMENDED FOR FEDERAL FUNDING FOLLOWS.
|
COUNTY
|
APPLICANT
|
AMOUNT
|
PROJECT
|
PROPOSAL
|
| Allen |
Johnny Appleseed
Metropolitan Park District |
$32,000 |
Allen County Farm Bridle
Trail |
Construct a 1.85 mile bridle trail and
stone parking lot at the Allen County Farm Park. |
| Ashtabula |
Ashtabula County Parks District |
$49,000 |
Western Reserve Greenway |
Purchase snow removal and maintenance equipment to
operate Western Reserve Greenway bike path as a snowmobile trail during the
winter. |
| Auglaize |
ODNR Division of Water |
$75,000 |
Miami & Erie Canal |
Improve the existing surface along one mile of the
Miami & Erie Canal towpath. |
| Darke |
City of Greenville |
$50,000 |
Greenville Creek Trail |
Design and construct 5,200 linear feet of paved
trail along Greenville Creek from Alice Bish Park to Greenville City Park. |
| Hocking/Perry |
USDA Forest Service (Wayne National
Forest) |
$140,000 |
Monday Creek ATV Trail |
Restore and maintain approximately 30 miles of
off-road vehicle trails in the Monday Creek area of the Wayne National
Forest. |
| Jackson |
ODNR Division of Forestry |
$15,000 |
Richland Furnace APV Trail |
Rehabilitate the existing APV trail system in
Richland Furnace State Forest. |
| Lawrence |
USDA Forest Service (Wayne National
Forest) |
$57,000 |
Hanging Rock ATV Area |
Restore and maintain nearly 18 miles of off-road
vehicle trails in the Hanging Rock area of the Wayne National Forest. |
| Lawrence/Scioto |
USDA Forest Service (Wayne National
Forest) |
$48,000 |
Pine Creek ATV Area |
Restoration and maintenance of approximately 10
miles of off-road vehicle trails in the Pine Creek area of the Wayne National
Forest. |
| Licking |
City of Heath |
$60,000 |
Municipal Complex Connection |
Construct a 1,150-foot trail to connect the
Municipal complex and the State Route 79 bridge and future bikeway. |
| Medina |
Village of Seville |
$45,000 |
Trail Linkages Project |
Construct more than 8,000 linear feet of
multi-purpose trail connecting Leohr Park to downtown Seville. |
| Mercer |
Franklin Township |
$90,000 |
Zuma Trail & Karafit Extension |
Extend the Zuma Trail by constructing approximately
3,600 feet of linear trail from State Route 219 to Cottonwood Road. |
| Miami |
City of Tipp City |
$90,000 |
Tipp City Parks Interconnector |
Construct 2,250 feet of paved trail connecting City
Park to the Canal Lock Park. |
| Montgomery |
Miami Conservancy District |
$73,000 |
Great Miami River Trail & North Shore Ramp |
Construct a bikeway ramp linking to the Great Miami
Trail. |
| Pike |
ODNR Division of Forestry |
$18,000 |
Pike State Forest APV Area |
Restore gravel road, improve drainage along trails,
restore approximately one mile of the novice trail system and construct two
low volume bridges. |
| Portage |
City of Ravenna Parks &
Recreation |
$120,000 |
Ravenna Rail Trail |
Construct more than 5,000 linear feet of trail from
Chestnut Hills Park and connecting with Towner’s Woods rail trail. |
| Shelby |
Ohio State Parks |
$46,000 |
Lakeview Trail |
Construct and install a pedestrian bridge on the
Lakeview Trail at Lake Loramie State Park. |
| Stark |
City of Massillon, Parks &
Recreation Department |
$27,000 |
Sippo Valley Connector |
Develop a trail to connect two existing trails by
using residential streets and constructing a new one-mile trail. |
| Wyandot |
City of Upper Sandusky |
$60,000 |
Tarhe Recreational Trail |
Design and construct 3.8 miles of paved trail that
will connect the Sandusky River Bikeway and Reservoir Park. |
|
For details on a specific local project, your best source of information is the local government or park district.