Dear Miami Valley RailTrails List Readers - 18 May 2002 and its raining in Dayton, Ohio

There is a lot to tell this month. It's now Summer and what happens in Summer is that folks are riding the wonderful trails in the Miami Valley. Did you know we have over 135 miles of connected trails in the area and over 200 miles of trails. The news this month is mostly about (What Else?) bicycle trail construction. So on with the news.

New on Miami Valley RailTrails site. 
First I'm going to tell you about what is new on the Miami Valley RailTrails site.  Well. I've been on vacation so basically nothing important has changed to the website. 

New Trail Construction -Here I get to tell you about what trails are being built for your cycling (walking, running and rollerblading pleasure)

• New Construction on the Creekside  Recreation Trail  - Five Rivers Metroparks have improved the beginning of the trail at Eastwood MetroPark. Originally the trail came out of the park under the railroad bridge and crossed Springfield Street at the corner of Springfield and Smithville Roads. You had to cross Springfield Street and then ride up Smithville for about 200 yards until you could get back on the trail. Five Rivers has improved the situation by having the trail cross Smithville Road where the trail starts. Then the trail follows alongside Smithville and a new bicycle bridge has been built to cross the small stream that parallels Springfield Street. Then the trail crosses Springfield Street at a new signal light to reach the bicycle extension along Springfield Street. Yes. My explanation sounds complicated. But the added construction keeps cyclists off of the roads and on the trails. Thanks Five Rivers MetroParks! 
  
  

• Ground Broken for Bicycle Trail in Miami County - In May ground was broken for the new multiuse recreation trail in Miami County. The 20 mile trail, when completed, will run from Taylorsville MetroPark in Montgomery County through Tipp City, Troy and Piqua to Sidney. The ground breaking was for the trail section from the Miami River off Dye Mill Road South to the Monroe-Concord township line. The trail section was chosen because their are two locks from the old canal are on the proposed trail. I'll be getting new pictures on the website as soon as construction is close to completion.
  

Other Construction News  This is other construction in the area that affects trail use. 

• New Construction on the Creekside Trail in Greene County - Construction has started on the intersection of Fairfield Road and US-35 in Beavercreek. The Creekside Trail crosses Fairfield Road about 100 yards North of the current intersection. I am told that the trail will be maintained throughout the construction of the new highway interchange. "The trail will be connected to the overpass  and landscaping will be added around the interchange. Decorative lights  will be installed on the overpass.

Well. That's about all for June 2002. 

If this bicycle trail newsletter provides you with information you can use pass it on to a friend. Anyone can become a  member of my mailing list by going to my website at Join Our Mailing List and following the instructions you'll find there. You'll also see my recent articles in case you missed one. 


Tom Recktenwalt
Miami Valley Rail Trails
http://www.miamivalleytrails.org