News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 22, 2002

ODNR AND GOVERNOR BOB TAFT RECOMMEND MORE THAN $1,000,000 IN GRANTS TO RECREATIONAL TRAIL PROJECTS ACROSS OHIO
Wayne National Forest and City of Ravenna earmarked for top awards
List of Recipients

COLUMBUS - Eighteen recreational trail projects across the state will soon share $1,095,000 in federal grants, based on recommendations by Governor Bob Taft and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

Recreational trail projects in 20 counties are likely to receive funds from the Recreational Trails Program (RTP), pending final approval by the Federal Highway Administration in coming months.

“Recreational trails contribute significantly to the economic well being of our state and enhance the quality of life of all Ohioans,” said Governor Taft. “These grants will help our local partners expand and improve Ohio's system of recreational trails.”

The largest recommended award, $140,000 for the Monday Creek ATV Trail, will go to the U.S. Forest Service to restore and maintain 30 miles of off-road vehicle trails in Wayne National Forest in Hocking and Perry counties.

The City of Ravenna was recommended to receive $120,000 for a 5,000-foot trail on a former railroad right-of-way between Chestnut Hills Park and the Towner Woods Rail Trail.

ODNR reviews local applications for RTP grants and recommends successful recipients for final federal approval. The federal government provides up to 80 percent reimbursement for trail projects through each RTP grant, while the local project sponsor is responsible for the remainder. Federal funds supporting the program are derived from a portion of the federal gasoline tax attributed to motorized recreational use. At least 30 percent of Ohio's annual allocation under the program must benefit trails for motorized vehicles.

EDITOR'S NOTE: A LIST OF TRAIL PROJECTS RECOMMENDED FOR FEDERAL FUNDING FOLLOWS.

COUNTY
APPLICANT
AMOUNT
PROJECT
PROPOSAL
Allen Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District $32,000 Allen County Farm Bridle Trail Construct a 1.85 mile bridle trail and stone parking lot at the Allen County Farm Park.
Ashtabula Ashtabula County Parks District $49,000 Western Reserve Greenway Purchase snow removal and maintenance equipment to operate Western Reserve Greenway bike path as a snowmobile trail during the winter.
Auglaize ODNR Division of Water $75,000 Miami & Erie Canal Improve the existing surface along one mile of the Miami & Erie Canal towpath.
Darke City of Greenville $50,000 Greenville Creek Trail Design and construct 5,200 linear feet of paved trail along Greenville Creek from Alice Bish Park to Greenville City Park.
Hocking/Perry USDA Forest Service (Wayne National Forest) $140,000 Monday Creek ATV Trail Restore and maintain approximately 30 miles of off-road vehicle trails in the Monday Creek area of the Wayne National Forest.
Jackson ODNR Division of Forestry $15,000 Richland Furnace APV Trail Rehabilitate the existing APV trail system in Richland Furnace State Forest.
Lawrence USDA Forest Service (Wayne National Forest) $57,000 Hanging Rock ATV Area Restore and maintain nearly 18 miles of off-road vehicle trails in the Hanging Rock area of the Wayne National Forest.
Lawrence/Scioto USDA Forest Service (Wayne National Forest) $48,000 Pine Creek ATV Area Restoration and maintenance of approximately 10 miles of off-road vehicle trails in the Pine Creek area of the Wayne National Forest.
Licking City of Heath $60,000 Municipal Complex Connection Construct a 1,150-foot trail to connect the Municipal complex and the State Route 79 bridge and future bikeway.
Medina Village of Seville $45,000 Trail Linkages Project Construct more than 8,000 linear feet of multi-purpose trail connecting Leohr Park to downtown Seville.
Mercer Franklin Township $90,000 Zuma Trail & Karafit Extension Extend the Zuma Trail by constructing approximately 3,600 feet of linear trail from State Route 219 to Cottonwood Road.
Miami City of Tipp City $90,000 Tipp City Parks Interconnector Construct 2,250 feet of paved trail connecting City Park to the Canal Lock Park.
Montgomery Miami Conservancy District $73,000 Great Miami River Trail & North Shore Ramp Construct a bikeway ramp linking to the Great Miami Trail.
Pike ODNR Division of Forestry $18,000 Pike State Forest APV Area Restore gravel road, improve drainage along trails, restore approximately one mile of the novice trail system and construct two low volume bridges.
Portage City of Ravenna Parks & Recreation $120,000 Ravenna Rail Trail Construct more than 5,000 linear feet of trail from Chestnut Hills Park and connecting with Towner’s Woods rail trail.
Shelby Ohio State Parks $46,000 Lakeview Trail Construct and install a pedestrian bridge on the Lakeview Trail at Lake Loramie State Park.
Stark City of Massillon, Parks & Recreation Department $27,000 Sippo Valley Connector Develop a trail to connect two existing trails by using residential streets and constructing a new one-mile trail.
Wyandot City of Upper Sandusky $60,000 Tarhe Recreational Trail Design and construct 3.8 miles of paved trail that will connect the Sandusky River Bikeway and Reservoir Park.
EDITORS NOTE: For details on a specific local project, your best source of information is the local government or park district.

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For Further Information Contact:
Jane Beathard or Andy Ware, ODNR Media Relations
(614) 265-6882