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News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 31, 2001

PUBLIC MEETING SCHEDULED IN BOWLING GREEN
TO DISCUSS STATEWIDE TRAILS PLANNING

COLUMBUS, OH - The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) will hold a regional meeting in Bowling Green, Ohio, on June 13 to gather citizen input regarding a proposed statewide system of interconnected, recreational trails. Two individual sessions will be held for public convenience: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Rotary Nature Center at Wingergarden/St. Johns Nature Preserve, South Wintergarden Road (Township Road 209). Recreational trails fill a variety of social, environmental, economic and transportation needs. ODNR's primary goal in formulating a comprehensive, statewide trails plan is to produce a document that will assist all developers in meeting the vision of a statewide trails system.

Initial steps include identifying all existing and planned recreational trails. Input will also be gathered on what prospective trail users want and expect from an interconnecting system. Joining in this effort are the Ohio Department of Transportation, Ohio Parks and Recreation Association, Ohio Greenways Project, the Rails to Trails Conservancy, the National Park Service and local trail groups and agencies.

ODNR has three goals for the meetings:

  • Gather information on existing or planned state, regional and community trails
  • Identify criteria for trail-related financial assistance
  • Identify strategic issues and recommendations for carrying out a statewide trails system

Meeting attendees are encouraged to bring copies of any trail plans or proposals (with maps) that ODNR can use in preparing a statewide trails inventory.

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For Further Information Contact:
Bill Daehler, ODNR Real Estate & Land Management
(614) 265-6402
-or-
Jane Beathard, ODNR Media Relations
(614) 265-6860