Miami Valley RailTrails Newsletter November 2009

This past winter, I posted an introduction to the Greater Springfield Friends of the Trail. Our goal was, and still is, to help improve the trail situation through Springfield. Since then, we have held trail cleaning days, helped provide a welcome station for the Cross Ohio Bike Adventure, and most importantly, have made great in-roads in engaging local government, business interests, and law enforcement in our cause. We’re working under the auspices of the National Parks and Recreation Division (NTPRD), who I have to say, has done an excellent job keeping the trails clean this past year. Plus, the Transportation Coordinating Committee and the City have installed new bikeway signs to help riders navigate the sections of trail that are presently routed onto the streets in south Springfield. We initiated a fund-raising drive this summer to leverage federal grant money to install trail signs of the same design as those in Greene and Montgomery Counties. We hoped to get 10 new signs installed to help direct trail users through the city…...and it looks like we may get as many as 25! Watch for them this spring. As I said, local agencies have really stepped up.

I met yesterday with Tim Smith, who has returned as CEO of NTPRD. Tim is committed to finally completing the trail through south Springfield; in other words, moving it off the streets and onto or very close to the abandoned rail bed. Riders have wanted this for years, and we see it as essential to improving the riding conditions and perceptions about traversing this section of the city. Tim is spearheading an effort with the city to take advantage of federal dollars, with the goal of completing the trail section in three to four years. That may seem like a long time, but as these projects go, it’s pretty aggressive.

I am writing to solicit your help. Not in dollars, but in encouragement. The city leadership wants to be sure that if they put forth the effort and resources to make this happen, that riders will use the trail. I know all about perceptions of riding in south Springfield. I’ve never had a moment’s trouble there, but I understand the concern. GSFT feels that moving the bikeway off the streets and onto a dedicated trail, in combination with new signage, continued attention to cleaning, and greater presence of law enforcement and local riders, that we can make this a more welcoming section of the Little Miami Scenic Trail. With increased use, comes better perception. Springfield has a lot to offer as a destination or as a stopover between Milford and Urbana. I hope you will talk up this effort among your riding friends. I would appreciate seeing some posting of your comments that I might share with the city. I would be happy to receive email comments directly, but I’m not sure about conventions of listing my address in a post.

Thank you all for your consideration.
Parker Buckley
President, Greater Springfield Friends of the Trail

Trail Construction and Improvements.	Website Changes and Improvements
Photos & Information Wanted Section	Did You Know Department
Announcements of Upcoming Cycling Events	Webpage of the Month