OHIO — New paths and new connections will pop up around the Buckeye State as 14 communities receive $6.2 million in grants.
The funds are set to support building connections between existing paths and construct new ones.
“These new trails will encourage more people to get outside and discover all the natural wonders Ohio has to offer,” said Gov. Mike DeWine in a news release. “These local projects will highlight the state’s diverse landscape, demonstrating another reason why Ohio is the heart of it all.”
The grants come from the Clean Ohio Trail Fund which was created to help with trail projects from land acquisition, construction, engineering and design to improve outdoor recreation opportunities.
“Outdoor recreation has been at the core of ODNR’s mission for the last 75 years,” said Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director Mary Mertz in a news release. “New, accessible trails around Ohio will allow people of all ages and abilities to get out and have some fun while enjoying nature.”
Among the funded projects are trails in metropolitan areas and pedestrian bridges.
The Cleveland Metroparks received $385,000 for Phase III of the Euclid Creek Greenway, which will add more than 3,000 feet of all-purpose trail from Chardon Road to St. Clair avenue. The Columbus Recreation and Parks Department received $435,000 for the final remaining section of the Olentangy Trail which inclused 0.6 miles of trail, two pedestrian bridges, linkage for disconnected residents, major employers and trail users on the west bank of the river and will replace an existing 1.1 mile on-street greenway.
Cincinnati received $500,000 for its Red Bank Road Trail, to construct a new 10-to-12 foot wide path along the Red Bank Road Expressway starting at the Old Red Bank and Duck Creek Road intersection. The path will end at the Hetzell Street and Red Bank Road Expressway intersection.
Other communities awarded funds included East Liverpool, Gahanna, Bexley, Great Parks of Hamilton County, Medina County Park District, Portage Park District, Aurora, Fairlawn, Summit Metro Parks, Lebanon and Wood County Port Authority.
For more information on these projects, click here.
