Simon Kenton Trail - Buck Creek Trail S. to Springfield

Phase IV of the Simon Kenton Trail (2 miles) is complete and was dedicated 24 September 2005. This is the first picture of the paved trail in downtown Springfield. The trail runs South from the railroad bridge across the Buck Creek where the Simon Kenton Trail starts. The trail continues South 2 miles to Center and Jefferson Streets.

The Simon Kenton Trail Phase IV starts at the Buck Creek Trail. Here we see the old railroad bridge that crosses Buck Creek (looking North) that takes the Simon Kenton Trail North 15 miles to Urbana. At the right (East) of photo is a ramp that takes the Simon Kenton Trail down to the river to join the Buck Creek Trail which travels West to Veteran's Park in Springfield and East to Buck Creek State Park .	Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo

Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo	We have turned around and are facing South down the new 2 mile trail to downtown Springfield. The railroad bridge in the above picture is now behind us.

We are continuing our journey South. We are getting close to our first road crossing at Lagonda Avenue. The cars are parked on Farlow Street on the right of the picture and you can see the crossing in the distance.	Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo

Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo	Here we are at the crossing of the trail at Lagonda Avenue. We are about .35 miles from the beginning of the trail and we are traveling Southwest.

The trail is what used to be the outside siding of an old rail-yard. The trail (railbed) curves left to meet the other sidings at the switch and then to cross the road. We are looking back towards Lagonda Street. The houses that you can see at the rear of the picture are on Farlow Street.	Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo

Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo	Here we have come to where the old sidings meet up to cross Warder Street. "Friend wife" waits for me to get the pictures taken and notes made. The old building across the street could have been a railway building. The old railbed belonged to Penn Central RR. As you can see there is an actual railroad crossing here. The trail follows an active railroad siding for most of its distance.

Here we have come to the trail crossing at East Main Street. We are about 1 mile from the Buck Creek Trail. On the corner is Reco Sporting Goods This crossing is a diagonal and is a bit dangerous. Watch yourself when crossing.	Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo

Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo	At left the trail has curved around to the right and we are now traveling West. We have come out at Linden Avenue near East Washington Street. We are about to go under US-72 The contractors we passed were finishing the corner. It looked like a flower bed might go in there eventually.

After the trail crosses Linden Avenue it follows the road as a shared path for about 150 yards. Here we are looking back West towards Linden Avenue. At right in the photo is a parking lot of Clark State Community College. We expect that the trail will be marked on the road to delineate it from the road	Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo

Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo	We are at the trail crossing with South Limestone Street in downtown Springfield. The building to the North of the trail is the old City Hall but is now owned by the: Springfield Historical Society. It is now called the: Heritage Center of Clark County 117 South Fountain Av. Springfield, OH 45502 (937) 324-0657 and it occupies a city block in Springfield. We are 1.8 miles into our trip.

At right is another view of the Heritage Center at the right of the trail and the Turner Studio Theatre of Clark State Community College at the left of the photo. South Limestone Street is just ahead of us as we cross it and stay on the trail.	Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo

Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo	On Fountain Square area about 50' feet from the trail and across the street from the Java House Cafe is: The Courtyard by Marriott 100 South Fountain Ave. Springfield, OH 45502937-322-3600

We are now at the South Fountain Avenue crossing on the trail. All along we have been following an active railbed. Behind us is the entrance to Clark State Community College and there are railroad crossing gates. We are looking North up South Fountain Avenue at the beautiful plantings and trees along this divided highway.	Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo

Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo	Here we are looking South into Clark State. The Turner Studio Theatre is at the right of the photo. You can see the crossing gates for the railroad line behind us.

We are still at South Fountain Street. In this photo I am looking West toward the trails end. "Friend wife" is still waiting patiently	Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo

Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo	We have reached the corner of South Center and West Washington Street. We are two miles from the Buck Creek Trail. The trail turns left (South) and continues along South Center Street for another block or so following the yellow bollards you see in the photo.

As we can see the trail is following the orange and yellow bollards down South Center Street. We are looking North here towards the Heritage Center.	Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo

Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo	In this photo we have reached the corner of South Center Street and have turned right (West) down West Jefferson Street. The older trail follows West Jefferson Street for about a block. We are looking East towards downtown in this photo.

In our last photo of this series we have turned around and are facing West. The trail goes under South Wittenberg Avenue and continues West and then South to meet with the Little Miami Scenic Trail. The current trail is partly dedicated and partly sharing city streets. Plans call for the trail to be extended South until it meets the Little Miami Scenic Trail (Yellow Springs to Springfield Section) where it currently ends at I-70. Then the trail will be continuous from Milford (near Cincinnati) to Urbana.	Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo

Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo	Please look at the MapQuest Map at left. The trail follows the old railbed marked "Pc Railroad" The railroad goes West and then South. Click on the map for a larger image. If you'd like to manipulate the map Click Here or above to go to MapQuest.com website for the map of downtown Springfield.