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The Clinton Rails-to-Trails Coalition was established during the later part of 1990.  It's expressed plan and purpose is to create a public interest in and then build a rail-to-trail recreational trail, or "greenway", utilizing abandoned railroad right-of-ways where possible through Clinton and adjoining counties.

The purpose of this recreational trail when fully developed and paved will be for bicycling, walking, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, backpacking, roller skating, and wildlife conservation.  We view this project as a three phase plan:

These recreational and green space areas will make a lasing contribution to the quality of life of those living in Wilmington and Clinton County.  It will make our community an even more special place in which to live. 

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The non-profit, volunteer coalition was co-founded in the Spring of 1990 by E. E. "Mac" McKibben, Bruce Saunders, and Thomas Neville.  This coincided with a decision by the Federal Supreme Court to permit trail groups to rail bank corridors which are abandoned.  The expressed purpose of the group was to build a multi-phase linear park corridor along abandoned railroad corridors for running, walking, bicycling, wildlife conservation and observation, cross-country skiing, horseback riding and other purposes.  

Coalition bylaws were purposely set-up to allow the purchase of land not only in Clinton County, but adjoining counties as well.  This was done because the group envisioned a developed Clinton County trail as a spur off of the Little Miami Trail.  To realize this goal, 7.5 miles of rail corridor land, 73 acres in size, was purchased in 1992 from the Penn Central Corporation.  This corridor stretches from the Warren County line through Salem, Harlan, and Washington townships.

The group also worked closely with the city of Wilmington to complete the first phase of the local trail project.  The city  provided money for the trail after a $430,000 alternate transportation grant was returned because it had too many costs associated with it.  The coalition had received an Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) grant in 1994, which was administered by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT).  The grant regulations required an environmental impact study that would have cost $150,000 to $200,000 to complete.  Furthermore, the impact study could not be paid for using the grant money.  The CRTC board voted to return the money and use private financing after potential costs for the 1.3 mile trail ballooned to $800,000 under the grant regulations.  The local trail was opened in 1999 and named the Luther E. Warren Peace Path.  It was largely paid for through private donations of money, materials, and services.  

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