In 1990 a small group of Wilmington-area citizens met to discuss the possibility of creating a trail that could be used for recreation by converting existing, abandoned railroad lines. They envisioned a trail that traversed Wilmington from east to west. One that would eventually extend westward from Wilmington to the Little Miami Scenic Trail in Warren County. Their vision continued with a trail eastward from Wilmington to Sabina.
They spent the first few years gathering information from other rails-to-trails organizations, exploring funding sources, developing an organizational structure for the coalition and sharing their dream with the community.
That Dream Continues Today
Since our last capital campaign in 1998, we have made much progress:
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The Luther E. Warren Peace Path was constructed - a wonderful 1.2 mile oasis near the heart of Wilmington. |
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Local Boy Scouts placed an informational trail kiosk and benches along the trail. |
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A covered bridge was constructed and dedicated to Dr. Nathan S. Hale, another Boy Scout led project. |
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An urban trail connecting the Peace Path trailhead on South Mulberry with Wilmington College was planned. |
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A trail connector between the Clinton Memorial Hospital grounds and the Peace Path was opened in the spring of 2005, another Boy Scout led project. |
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A new collaborative project between the city of Wilmington, Wilmington College, Clinton County Commissioners, and Clinton Rails-to-Trails Coalition was opened and dedicated July 31, 2005 - the 4-C Bicentennial Trail. |
The 4-C Bicentennial Trail project is an estimated 1.2 mile paved trail that connects the Southeast Neighborhood Park with the David R. Williams Park. Traversing City, county, and college land, this beautiful trail offers both wooded and pasture views while linking recreational and residential areas. This carries us a huge step toward a trail network that encompasses the full length of Wilmington from east to west. What a great gift we can give to our community!
What do Community Leaders say about CRTC?
"I am excited about the project for many reasons, but especially because it represents a collaboration of community groups - city, county, and college - coming together to improve the quality of life for all citizens. In this regard, the project is an excellent example of how the whole can be greater than the sum of its parts". Dan DiBiasio, President Wilmington College.
"Heartfelt thank you to the Rails-to-Trails Coalition and to all those who have encouraged the Coalition and supported the project financially. Clinton Rail-to-Trails Coalition is an ongoing project, which exemplifies cooperation between the County, the City, and Wilmington College to enhance the quality of life in our community." Darleen Meyers, Clinton County Commissioner
"The 4-C Bicentennial Trail will be an enduring legacy for the entire community. In order to be successful it will require resource commitments from both the public and private sectors. The City of Wilmington is committed to this project. Please do what you can to support this very worthwhile effort." David Raizk, Mayor, City of Wilmington
(7/28/01 Wilmington News Journal, Associated Press article by Bruce Dawson)
"Location, location, location," is key in real estate.
Southern Ohio native Karen Usrey will heed this as she indicates her next home will be dictated by it's "location" to the nearest "Rails to Trails" bike path.
Usrey, 35, the Alumni Affairs Coordinator for Sinclair Community College in Dayton, discovered the more than 600 miles of bike paths two years ago and has been pedaling 20 to 30 miles per week since.
"I bought a new bike and not wanting a mountain bike, I asked the salesperson where I could ride on asphalt," Usrey said.
He pointed her to the Little Miami Scenic Trail, a 69 mile paved bike, hike and skate trail following an abandoned railroad route from Cincinnati to Springfield.
Usrey was hooked and is now looking for a place to live close to the trail.
Ohio's program is part of a nation program, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, founded in 1986 with national headquarters in Washington D.C. Ohio's Gahanna field office is one of six nationwide. Other field sites are California, Florida, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New England. Founded as a nonprofit organization the conservancy is dedicated to connecting people and communities by creating a nationwide network of these public trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors.
Former rail lines are converted to multi-purpose, public paved byways to encourage outdoor recreation and promote fitness through activities such as walking, running, biking, in-line skating, horseback riding and cross-country skiing. Rail-trails also serve as historic and wildlife conservation corridors, linking isolated parks and economies by increasing tourism and promoting local businesses.
Statewide, Ohio's 45 completed trail projects combine for more than 600 miles of finished trails with 135 projects in the planning stages that would add 1600 miles. And there are additional miles of connecting trails operated by local municipalities.
"The 600 mile figure is as many as I have been able to count, but some individual city and other trail systems may not be included," said Anne Kuhn, spokeswoman for the Ohio office.
As an example, July 1 the 11-mile Simon Kenton Trail opened in Champaign County.
The Ohio conservancy, which is an advocacy group but does not manage the trail system, has 5769 members.
"Our membership increases monthly and we are up from 5300 from the first of the year," Kuhn said.
The rail-trail attraction for folks such as Usrey includes the ease of pedaling over a controlled access terrain without contending with vehicle traffic. There are intersections where the old railway crossed highways, but many of these have been bridged, allowing the bikers, hikers and skaters to roll over potentially dangerous intersections.
Additionally, the railroad was abandoned for years before the trail system was built so for most of its length, the path is shaded by overhanging trees, allowing comfortable cycling in summer, leading to some cyclists giving the nickname "green cave" to the bikeways.
Most towns along the statewide system of trails offer various facilities, including restrooms and vending machines. Some have small shops selling bottled water and sport juice type of drinks.
The 69-mile trail Usrey rides offers changing scenery ranging from rolling countryside following the Great Miami River to the trail's end about 10 miles northeast of Cincinnati, which is marked by a 40-space parking area.
She packs her 21-speed bike into her automobile and drives to a starting point, forgoing a bumper mounted rack.
"I had one at first, but was nervous about the safety of the bike so now I just dismantle it, putting it inside my car. These new bike come apart so easily it is not a big deal," Usrey said.
Some trails are considered "closed" during periods of heavy snow or ice, but most are open year round. "Each trail is managed and maintained at the discretion of the local trial group community," Kuhn said.
With more rail-trail projects in the planning stages as governments around the state look to add to the system, it is possible that Usrey could eventually start pedaling in Cincinnati and end up in Cleveland or Toledo.
And, if that happens, it may not matter where Usrey looks for her next house, it will be in close proximity to a rail-trail.