Wolf Creek Recreation Trail, Dayton Ohio

The Wolf Creek Recreation Trail aka Wolf Creek RailTrail is a 13 mile trail on what was the CSX Corp. railbed from Trotwood through Brookville and ends in Verona.

In 2003 construction was completed from downtown Dayton on the Wolf Creek and it connected with the existing trail on James H. McGee which ends at Wesleyan MetroPark. It is now called the See Paul Laurence Dunbar Connector Trail Description and photos. In 2010, the Dunbar Connector will meet with the existing trail that now starts in Trotwood.

Surface: Asphalt 12' wide. The trail is built on the smooth and gentle grade of the former CSX (the old Chessie System) railroad and passes over two bridges and a large limestone culvert. The trail passes by the original depots in both Trotwood and Brookville. These historic structures are now depot museums housing railroad and related memorabilia.

Route: The trail runs Northwest from Trotwood, passes through Sycamore State Park to Brookville and then turns North to end in Verona, Ohio.

Rest Rooms: Restrooms and drinking water are available at all staging areas until freezing weather sets in.

Hotels, Motels, B&Bs & Campgrounds near the Trail - Each trail has it's own accommodations near the trail. Click on the link to be taken to the Accommodations in the Miami Valley RailTrails Area

History: Following the completion of the track from Dayton to Greenville, the Dayton and Greenville Railroad Company held a grand opening on June 10, 1852. Later in the same year, the track was extended to Union City and the line became known as the Dayton and Union Railroad Company. Operating both passenger and freight trains, the railroad was purchased and renamed many times through the years. Passenger service on the B&O portion via Greenville and Union lasted until 1931. Passenger service continued with varying frequency when the track was under the control of the Pennsylvania Railroad and Penn Central until 1971. Amtrak took over the remaining passenger service.
In 1992 the last railroad company, CSX Transportation Inc. sold the right of way -inside corporation limits - to the City of Trotwood and the Village of Brookville. Five Rivers MetroParks purchased the remaining rail corridor and a new partnership was formed. The new partners combined their resources over the next two years, converting the abandoned corridor into the Wolf Creek Trail.

Trail Review: Although the Wolf Creek Recreation Trail has existed from some time, it was paved and re-dedicated on 30 June 1998. The trail starts in Trotwood; a Northwest suburb of Dayton, Ohio and runs Northwest to Brookville and then North to Verona, Ohio. The trail is 13 miles long, and plans are being made to extend it to Greenville, an extension of 15 or so miles. Five Rivers MetroParks is also working to extend the trail Southeast to the Great Miami River Recreation Trail by connecting the trail with the Paul Lawrence Dunbar connector on the Wolf Creek in downtown Dayton.

Location: To get to the trail at Trotwood, take Interstate 70 West from Dayton to SR-49, Salem Road. Take SR-49 South to Union Rd. Turn right (South) on Union Road and go directly to the Station in Trotwood at Union Road and Main St.

Restaurants/Fast food: In Trotwood, you might go North 2 blocks to the Broadway Cafe (open for breakfast and lunch). See Yahoo Maps for locations of restaurants in Trotwood. At Brookville if you turn right at "Rob's Restaurant" (on the trail) in two blocks you'll come to "hamburger row" (about 5 fast food restaurants) Please also see Yahoo Maps for the location of all restaurants in Brookville. Apparently there is a "deli" in Verona. See Yahoo Maps for location in Verona.

Parking: There is considerable parking at the Trotwood Station and you can park at Golden Gate Park in Brookville. At Verona, there is parking at the park.

Accommodations: The closest hotels, motels and B&Bs are in Brookville at the trail's intersection with Interstate 70 (I-70). See accommodations page.

Click on Photo for larger Image	The trail now starts at Trotwood Station which has ample parking, restrooms and water. Since the old railroad bridge is gone, to start your ride you must cross both North Union Road and East Main Street (please use the crossing signal buttons). We are looking across both streets at the Station with the old grain elevator behind it. The trail is generally level. The trail passes through the suburbs of Trotwood crossing Oak Street

In about 2 miles the trail runs through Sycamore State Park. For another two miles or so we rode through a glade like setting with many trees and old crossings. Here at right, is "Air Hill" shgelter on the trail in the park with (friend wife) holding up the wall. We are 2.7 miles from Brookville.	Click on Photo for larger Image

Click on Photo for larger Image	At this point the trail runs almost Northwest. After about 6.5 miles we reach the town of Brookville just before we cross under the Interstate 70 interchange bridge. Here we see the old Brookville Station. Just ahead you will cross Hay Avenue.

In the picture above you can (barely see) at the far left of the photo the caboose you see here. This line once belonged to the "Chessie System" (now CSX). I have used this photo on the front page of this website.	Click on Photo for larger Image

Click on Photo for larger Image	There are restrooms and water in Golden Gate Park at left, but they are not close to the trail. You have to leave the trail and go into the other side of the park to reach them. Just beyond the park you'll cross Arlington Road. You'll see Rob's Restaurant as you cross the street. . If you turn either left or right at this point within a short distance you'll come to the local "hamburger row" with 5 or 6 fast food restaurants and gasoline stations, that offer food, restrooms and water.

Just beyond Brookville the trail goes under the Interstate 70 bridge. About one mile from Brookville the trail goes through Dodson. At this point the old railbed breaks into two and the trail starts to run almost due North towards Verona. After about another two miles we come to Wengerlawn. At right you can see the shelter in the area.	Click on Photo for larger Image

Click on Photo for larger Image	Opposite the shelter is this memorial plaque. Peter W. Smith of Five Rivers MetroParks built the Wolf Creek RailTrail as it was known then, in1982. So this is called Pete's Station and there is a sign on the shelter above.

The trail is more open here passing by lush farms. The trail ends here. If it continued it would pass by the large feed mill just in front of you. The road you see in the photo is Montgomery-Preble Road.

	At this point, which is 13 miles from your start, you may turn right onto Montgomery-Preble Road, the county line. You will pass a church on your right, and in about one half mile you will reach downtown Verona. At the stop sign turn left and in a block or two you'll see a sign to turn right into the local park at right. I did not find any restrooms or water here.

Construction Progress: Five Rivers MetroParks received $1.47 million in order to close the gap between the existing trail and the Paul Laurence Dunbar Connector in downtown Dayton. When completed in 2010 the trail will run from the Great Miami River Recreation Trail where the Wolf Creek empties into the Great Miami River in downtown Dayton, through Trotwood to Brookville and Verona.

Trail Description		Surface
Route		Map
Park & Ride Locations		Restrooms
Trail Pictures		Trail Review
Restaurants/Fast Food		Trail History
Construction Progress	Hotels, Motels, B&Bs and Campgrounds