Miami Valley RailTrails Newsletter May 2005

Miami Valley RailTrails Newsletter
May 2005

It’s May 22, 2005. I have news for you about Southwest Ohio's trails and additions to this website.

Trail Construction and Improvements.

Website Changes and Improvements

Did You Know Department

Announcements of Upcoming Cycling Events

Trail Construction and Improvements

City of Riverside Plans Trail - The City of Riverside (Montgomery County) is beginning planning of a trail spur. The spur would start from the new trail to be built from Eastwood MetroPark to Huffman MetroPark along the old Norfolk and Southern railbed. The spur would connect the new trail to Riverside’s “Center of Flight” development on Springfield Pike across from the National Museum of the United States Air Force The trail segment would allow access to the “Center of Flight” as well as the museum.
City of Riverside Holds “Creating a Walkable Community” Seminar - The City of Riverside held a seminar sponsored by the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC) on Wednesday May 18th at 101 Woodman Drive across the street from Airway Plaza. The facilitators from the National Center for Bicycling and Walking, discussed with city officials, interested citizens, representatives of the plaza and members of the MVRPC the idea of connecting Airway Plaza more closely to its surrounding neighborhoods by improving connectivity to the Creekside Recreation Trail that runs parallel to Woodman Drive across the street from the Plaza. The City of Riverside is committed to making the city friendlier to pedestrians and cyclists. The results of the workshop will be discussed by the City Council later this month.
Creekside Trail gets Improved Staging Area – The existing Staging Area on the Creekside Trail where it crosses Grange Hall Road is being improved. The area was paved recently and should be completed soon. This will allow for another staging area on the Creekside Trail.
Beaver Creek Connector (Phase 1) – The new trail spur Is planned to be completed from Angel’s Pass (Beavercreek Community Park) to Rotary Park a distance of 1.7 miles by June 2005. Another contract has been awarded for Phase II of the trail. It will start from Rotary Park and continue to Hunter’s Ridge housing development .Construction for Phase 2 will start in June 2005 and be complete by October 2005.
Trails Being Completed this Summer – As you know several trails are being constructed this Spring and Summer and should be completed this year. They are:
- Buck Creek Trail – Being extended 2.66 miles from Old Reid Park to Buck Creek State Park.
- Great Miami River Recreation Trail (Miami County) Section 2- about 2 miles from Dye Mill Road to Miami Shores Golf Course just South of Troy, Ohio.
- Xenia – Jamestown Connector – (Greene County) 6.5 miles from Jasper Road West to Jamestown, Ohio.
- Beavercreek Trail Connector – Beavercreek Community Park North 1.7 miles to Veteran’s Park.
- Lebanon Countryside Trail - (Warren County) 8.2 miles from Lebanon to Little Miami Scenic Trail North of Loveland, Ohio.
Good News from Terrace Park - Many cyclists that use the Little Miami Scenic Trail know that it ends to the South at Milford Ohio. Planning has been going on for years to continue this trail South to the Ohio River and to the City of Cincinnati. But for a number of years the citizens of Terrace Park which is about 2 miles South of Milford has had some concerns about having a multi-use trail running through their town. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has worked with the city to allay the concerns of the city and its citizens. In May the city approved the modified plans to build a 2.5 mile trail which is planned to be completed in late 2006. This will allow for the eventual extension of the Little Miami Scenic Trail to Cincinnati and to Kentucky. Congratulations can be given to the City of Terrace Park, its bicycling committee, the citizens of the city and the ODNR for jointly developing a plan that satisfied all concerns.

Website Changes and Improvements

During the month I made numerous editorial changes to the website. None were big enough to mention here. I continued this month updating my master list of trails in Ohio (see below) but it is not yet complete. I have to check out each trail for improvements and to see if they have a website link I can add for your use.

Did You Know Department

List of all Trails in Ohio on Website - Did you know that the Miami Valley RailTrails website contains both an alphabetical list of every trail in Ohio with links to their website, if it exists? The master list is also broken out alphabetically by county with maps of each section of Ohio. They are as follows:
- Alphabetical List of Trails in Ohio - This is the list broken down alphabetically. If you know the name of the trail this is the list you should use.
- List of Ohio Trails By County - This list starts with a map of Ohio. You click on the area of Ohio you wish to find a trail in. Then you click on the county within the section of Ohio and you'll see a list of trail alphabetized by county on the page.

Announcements of Upcoming Cycling Events
(See Events Page )

The Greene Trails Cycling Classic - is designed to be a fun, family-oriented “happening.” It is a multi-day event from July 21st through 24th, 2005 centered in Xenia, Ohio, and serving to showcase the extensive rail-to-trail system that exists there - and beyond, as well as the communities along the trails. All rides will begin and end at the campground adjacent to the Greene County Fairgrounds. Each day will feature and utilize a different section of the trail. Each day’s specific route(s) will be supported for rider convenience and safety. Routes will include on-trail, out-and-back trips, as well as extended rides on rural roads for designated days. The broad network of trails provides an exceptional cycling experience for those families and individuals who want to take part in a bicycle tour but prefer the safety and comfort of staying on the trails. Alternate routes offer a choice for the more adventurous. Each day will offer special entertainment opportunities, including tennis, volleyball, swimming, etc., mini-events, live musical entertainment and lots of other exciting surprises. $75.00/rider and $45.00 for children 12 and under. Includes event T-Shirt. For more information, go to www.greenetrailsclassic.com or call 937-372-3591.
Young’s Ice Cream Charity Bike Tour - 30 July 2005 The 2005 Young's Ice Cream Charity Bike Tour (YICCBT) is happening on July 30 and 31st, 2005. Come and join us for a great bicycle tour through scenic Greene, Clark, Madison, Union, and Delaware counties to support Alzheimer's, Wellness Connection, United Rehabilitation Services, and Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Regards to all,

Thomas J. Recktenwalt
Webmaster
Miami Valley RailTrails
http://www.miamivalleytrails.org

If you find these newsletters and my Miami Valley RailTrails website of use to you, please pass the information on to your friends and neighbors who might enjoy our wonderful system of multi-use trails in Southwest Ohio. They are wonderful for walking, running, roller-bladeing, birding and cycling and in some cases horseback riding. You see more wildlife from one of our trails than most anyplace else. All of my newsletters are posted to my website at the same time I send you this text version. The URL for your use is: http://www.miamivalleytrails.org/join_our_mailing_list.htm

Return to Join Our Mailing List

For more information on each Web Page or Trail click on its name.

HOME PAGE