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News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 9, 2003

TAFT ANNOUNCES $6.25 MILLION IN CLEAN OHIO TRAILS FUND GRANTS

COLUMBUS (October 9, 2003) — Governor Bob Taft announced $6.25 million in Clean Ohio Trails fund grants to improve and expand the state’s network of recreational trails. Twenty-two communities and organizations have been awarded the grants.

“By enhancing Ohio’s system of recreational trail and wildlife habitats, we are improving the quality of life for all Ohioans,” said Taft. “These grants allow us to build on our excellent system of parks and trails, providing families with more opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors right here in Ohio.”

The Clean Ohio Trails grants are an integral part of the state’s vision to create a statewide network of interconnected recreational trails. Trail-related activities have increased in popularity in recent years, and the state’s ultimate goal is to have easy access to recreational trails within 10 minutes of all Ohioans.

The grants announced today are the second round in a total of $25 million in grants for recreational trails to be funded over the next four years through the Clean Ohio Program, initiated by Governor Taft and approved by voters in November 2000. Each grant requires a minimum of 25 percent match with local funds.

The $400 million Clean Ohio initiative provides community-directed investments for revitalizing urban area, protecting rivers and watersheds, preserving green space and farmland, and expanding Ohio’s system of recreational trails.

Clean Ohio Trails Fund – 2003 Grant Recipients
County Applicant Project Proposal Amount
Butler Miami Conservancy District Great Connection-Middletown Segment Design and construct approximately 4 miles of recreational trail along the east bank of the Great Miami River from Bicentennial Commons Park to old SR 73. $440,000
Champaign Champaign County Commissioners Simon Kenton Trail Design and construct approximately 5 miles of trail from the Springfield/Clark County section of the Simon Kenton Trail to the City of Urbana and the Champaign County YMCA. $250,000
Clinton City of Wilmington 4-C Bicentennial Trail Construct 1.2 miles of recreational trail connecting an existing trail and two parks. $200,000
Columbiana City of East Palestine East Palestine Community Walking/Bicycle Trail Design and construct approximately 6,500 linear feet of recreational trail, connecting an existing trail with the City Park. $400,000
Cuyahoga Cleveland Metroparks Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail Construct two, 540-foot long pedestrian bridges over Granger and Warner roads as part of the Ohio & Erie Towpath Trail. $250,000
Delaware City of Delaware Springfield Branch Trail Design and construct .75 miles of former railroad right of way, connecting to parks, neighborhoods, schools and other areas. $240,000
Fairfield City of Lancaster Fairfield Heritage Trail-Phase 2 Design and construct 5.2 miles of urban trail in Lancaster linking parks, schools, waterways, public spaces and the Fox Trail. $420,000
Franklin City of Westerville Sunbury Road Bike Trail Construct a 1.3 mile, 10-foot wide asphalt path and widen an existing concrete walk for a new multi-use trail from the Sunbury Road tunnel to existing city bikeways. $150,000
Franklin City of Columbus Alum Creek Trail Construct approximately 1,580 feet of trail connecting two existing sections of the Alum Creek Trail from Main Street to Academy Park. $150,000
Greene Greene County Recreation, Parks & Cultural Arts Department Jamestown Connector Design and construct 5.5 miles of the 10.5-mile Jamestown Connector with a 10-foot wide, asphalt multi-use trail from Hogeye Road to Jasper Road. $400,000
Greene Beavercreek Township Beavercreek Trail Connector Design and construct a trail connector linking homes, parks, schools to the Creekside and Miami Valley trail systems. $140,000
Hamilton Anderson Township Five Mile Trail Construct nearly 2 miles of pedestrian and bicycle trail along the Five Mile Road corridor between State and Newtown roads. $310,000
Lorain City of Elyria West Falls – Two Falls Connector Bridge Construct a pedestrian bridge across the Black River Gorge in Cascade Park. $150,000
Lucas Toledo Area Metroparks Pedestrian/Bikeway Bridge Design and construct a bicycle and pedestrian pathway bridge from Fallen Timbers Memorial across US Route 24 connecting the Fallen Timbers Battlefield. $320,000
Miami Miami County Park District Miami County Bikeway, Concord and Staunton Townships Construct 3.2 miles of recreational trail from the Concord Township towpath trail to the City of Troy's pathway connector at Miami Shores Golf Course entrance. $420,000
Montgomery Five Rivers Metroparks Kettering Recreational Trail Design and construct a trail extending the Kettering Recreational Trail from Woodbine Avenue to Woodman Drive. $230,000
Muskingum Muskingum Valley Park District Muskingum Recreational Trail Design and construct 2.3 miles of trail along two routes in Dresden and along the Muskingum River. $290,000
Portage Portage Park District Headwaters Trail Phase IV Acquire 9 acres to design and construct nearly one mile of multi-purpose trail connecting 7 miles of existing Headwaters Trail. $190,000
Ross Ross County Park District Adena Recreational Trail Design and construct 5.3 miles of trail linking Chillicothe’s Adena Recreational Trail. $300,000
Stark Stark County Park District Mahoning Valley Trail Design and construct a 3.2-mile trail through the Mahoning River Valley linking Early Hill Park and Deer Creek Reservoir. $420,000
Summit City of Akron Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath, Cascade Locks-Phase 2 Design and construct .75 miles of the towpath trail. $380,000
Warren City of Lebanon Countryside YMCA Bikeway Trail Realignment-Phase 2 Construct approximately 3,600 linear feet of shared-use bike path along Kingsview Drive, including a bicycle and pedestrian bridge. $200,000
Total:
$6,250,000

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For Further Information Contact:
Jane Beathard, ODNR Media Relations, 614-265-6860
or
Orest Holubec, Governor’s Office, 614-644-0957