Rails to Trails of Wayne County News
New County Line Trail Completed, Dedication to be late April 2011
The contractor completion date for the seven mile long asphalt County Line Trail between Creston and Rittman (map) was Nov. 15, 2010. While there are still a few cosmetic things remaining to be done, it is basically completed and will be dedicated in late April 2011. The Rittman end (with parking) is just south of the east end of Ohio Ave. and between Ohio Ave and the Depot Restaurant. The Creston trailhead is just south of the Creston Police Dept. on Brooklyn St. There is no designated parking for the trailhead at Creston, but there is a large public parking lot south west of the end of the trail. Rails to Trails was not able to fully secure a right-of-way from C.R. 504 (east of Sterling) to Kauffman Ave. in Sterling, so the trail is currently signed on Atlantic Ave. for almost one mile. There also are trailheads and parking at CR 504 and Kauffman Ave. in Sterling. Just west of the trailhead at Kauffman Ave. is a former B&O freight depot, which Rails to Trails was able to acquire and move to this location. The community of Sterling is organizing a non-profit to refurbish the depot and use it for a museum and community room.
Trail usage is for walkers, runners, roller-bladers, bicyclers, and other non-motorized vehicles. Electrical powered chairs that are permitted in public buildings and store aisles are also allowed. Equestrians will be allowed on the berms and bridges next summer, but we are requesting that equestrian usage not begin before the berms are well established. The parking lot at CR-504 east of Sterling is especially fitting for large horse trailers and related vehicles.
About Rails to Trails of Wayne County
RTWC History
Rails to Trails of Wayne County (RTWC) was organized in the mid-1990’s and incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 1996 by a small group of Wayne County citizens interested in developing multipurpose trails for safe and scenic recreational hiking, jogging, bicycling, skating, and horseback riding. In the 90’s, there were no off-road trails for such activities in Wayne County and local citizens were driving about one hour or more to trails in adjacent counties. Today, active membership is around 300 and growing with most members from Wayne County. Members recieve the Trail Tales newsletter.
The right-of-way of the former Wheeling and Lake Erie Railroad from Dalton to Massillon, later know as Sippo Valley Trail, was the first project of RTWC for developing the west-end 2.5 miles in Wayne County. The board experienced both local enthusiasm as well as some significant local opposition to developing Sippo trail, but eventually demonstrated what an outstanding trail could be through construction grants with ODOT, ODNR and local sources. There was also a lot of volunteer activity to clear brush and deck bridges. The trail was eventually dedicated in 2004 and serves as an outstanding example for new trail developments in Wayne County. RTWC works with the village of Dalton for local maintenance and continues to organize local volunteers to maintain the trail outside the village.
Current Programs and Accomplishments
With the success of Sippo Valley Trail, the RTWC Board developed a comprehensive plan in 2004 for Wayne County showing a potential for 75 miles of trail on railroad abandoned, but in most cases, privately owned right-of-ways. Board members also developed a PowerPoint presentation on the plan and the positive influences of non motorized trails on the economic and environmental health of the local community. The presentation has been given to a high percentage of the local service clubs in the county and continues to be a popular program with its continuous up-dates.
- This Graphic shows that trails are second to highway access as amenities desired by homeowners. This survey, done by the Nation Home Builders Association, has been extremely powerful for RTWC in showing the public benefit of trails to community leaders and public officials. Trails are uniquely useful for teaching children proper use of bicycles and related vehicles and are valued for enhancing the health of both youth and adults. The most unique feature of trails is that they support multi-generational family activity. And, such activity is seen almost every weekend on Sippo Valley Trail.
A local donation in 2004 of a 2.5 mile long right-of-way between Sterling and Rittman by Mr. Paul Obermiller gave RTWC a new focus for a trail that can go from Rittman to West Salem via Sterling and Creston. A second major commitment was an easement for approximately one mile of the trail in Rittman granted by the Rittman Community Improvement Corporation as well as an RTWC negotiated easement across a private property in Rittman.
The RTWC Board subsequently developed an alliance with the Wayne County Commissioners and the County Planning Office to develop the trail from Creston to Rittman through a successful $1,713,000 ODOT grant in 2005. The ODOT grant covered about 75% of the costs while the remaining 25% match was achieved from $300,000 local funds and $400,000 State Capital funds.
RTWC Mission and Goals
- Mission is to convert un-used railroad and greenway corridors into multi-purpose, non-motorized, public paths. Our primary activity is promotion, development, and fund raising for communities and park districts. (We are not a bicycle club while many of us are trail riders/users.)
- Ultimate goal is to have a non motorized trail within 15 minutes of all citizens in Wayne County. We believe that such an accomplishment would change the very nature of both urban and rural communities in how we see ourselves as connected and economically viable.
RTWC Affiliated Agencies
- RTWC is affiliated regionally and nationally with Rails to Trails Conservancy. RTC provides incentives and especially networking opportunities through regional and national programs. No funds from RTC come back to local construction efforts.
- Ohio Greenways Inc. is a non-profit that has developed statewide trail and public corridor plans along major waterways and abandoned canal towpaths and railroad right-of-ways. Again, Ohio Greenways provides incentives and sometimes special studies for state-wide trails, but does not fund local design and construction efforts such as proposed here.
- Wayne County Commissioners have made a high commitment to the efforts of RTWC by providing County Planning Department support personnel for developing grants, contracts, and maps as well as doing extensive research on right-of-way ownerships. The Commissioners, do not, however, provide any local matching funds to projects such as the County Line Trail.
RTWC Board Members:
President:
Don Noble II, Shreve
Email
Vice President:
Ted Short, Wooster
Email
Secretary:
Joe Slater, Wooster
Treasurer:
Pam Schoenberger, Wooster
Trustees:
Earl Kerr, Doylestown
Bob Gray, Wooster
Pat Glessner, Sterling
Tom Bahl, Wooster
Chris Oehl, Fredericksburg
Phil Grimm, Kidron
Keith Workman, Orrville