Ohio to Erie Trail to Add Crucial Link

Ohio's plan for a statewide Ohio to Erie Trail, which would eventually stretch from Cincinnati through Columbus and onto Cleveland, received a big boost when the Columbus Metroparks board voted to purchase a crucial 11-mile segment known as the "Camp Chase" section. This new link project—which will cost $750,000 and is expected to be open by 2012—will enable users to travel more than 100 miles from the west side of Columbus all the way to Cincinnati.
 
When fully connected, the Ohio to Erie Trail will total more than 450 miles of pathway, with 262 miles already open to the public.


2010 Campaign Stop: Dayton Convention Center

Rhonda Border-Boose, director of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's (RTC) Midwest Regional Office, presented an overview of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's 2010 Campaign for Active Transportation during the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association Conference, February 11-13 at the Dayton Convention Center. The conference attracted 600 parks and recreation professionals from across the state. In addition to focusing on RTC's campaign to increase federal investment in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, Border-Boose's session provided attendees with strategies to make the case for trail development in their own local communities.


Dream It, Do It

During his "State of the City" address in March, Columbus, Ohio Mayor Michael B. Coleman introduced the "Dream It Do It Bicentennial 2012 Commission," an ambitious project to investigate the direction of future urban developments. He tasked the commission with collecting a wide array of input from residents, government agencies, and officials, businesses, organizations and neighborhoods. The goal is to synthesize the public's vision and make strategic recommendations about the type of investments to pursue. 
 
Border-Boose, director of RTC's Midwest Regional Office, will serve on the "Moving People Focus Area" portion of the mayor's plan. This committee will address broad issues including transportation infrastructure, transit systems and streetcars, walkability, biking and traffic calming, and complete streets. Their primary question: How can Columbus encourage alternative modes of transportation to usher in the city's 2012 Bicentennial celebration?