Funds Awarded for East Liverpool Trail Project
EAST LIVERPOOL, Ohio – The city was among 14 Ohio communities to be awarded a portion of $6.2 million in funding from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Clean Ohio Trail Fund to assist in an ongoing trail project.
Gov. Mike DeWine announced in a news release that the city will receive $375,000 for the second phase of the East Liverpool Riverfront Trail to construct 0.85 miles of multiuse trail connecting the downtown to the Ohio Greenway Trail.
According to city Planning Director Bill Cowan Friday, the first phase of the project is currently under design by the Environmental Design Group, encompassing a trail from the Broadway Wharf on the Ohio River, up Broadway, down Fifth and Walnut streets.
This design phase, also funded through the Clean Ohio Trail Fund, cost $177,857, according to Cowan, who said there is no construction contract in place yet for that phase.
The second phase, to be funded with the most recent grant, will stretch the trail along the old Pennsylvania Avenue, which is no longer in use, to Virginia Avenue in the East End of the city, according to Cowan.
Another application for additional funding will be submitted to the ODNR for the third phase of the project, which will take the trail through East End neighborhoods, eventually reaching the Point of Beginning at the state line with Pennsylvania.
Cowan said it is his understanding the state of Pennsylvania is bringing its own trail to that point where it will intersect with East Liverpool’s.
He was uncertain when the trail project will be complete.
In addition to the grant award to East Liverpool, the ODNR reported the following Clean Ohio Trail Fund award recipients: Cleveland Metroparks, $385,000; city of Gahanna, $500,000; city of Bexley, $500,000; Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, $435,000; city of Cincinnati, $500,000; Great Parks of Hamilton County, $500,000; Medina County Park District, $219,206; Portage Park District, $500,000; city of Aurora, $500,000; Summit Metro Parks, $500,000; city of Fairlawn, $350,000; city of Fairlawn, $350,000; city of Lebanon, $500,000; and Wood County Port Authority, $500,000.
From creating new routes to connecting existing paths, trails will be constructed around the state with the help of these grants, DeWine said.
“These new trails will encourage more people to get outside and discover all the natural wonders Ohio has to offer. These local projects will highlight the state’s diverse landscape, demonstrating another reason why Ohio is the heart of it all,” DeWine said.
Money from the Clean Ohio Trail Fund can be used for a variety of trail project elements, including land acquisition, construction, engineering and design.
“Outdoor recreation has been at the core of ODNR’s mission for the last 75 years,” ODNR Director Mary Mertz said. “New, accessible trails around Ohio will allow people of all ages and abilities to get out and have some fun while enjoying nature.”
The Clean Ohio Trail Fund is one of three components of the Clean Ohio Fund, which restores, protects and connects Ohio’s natural and urban places. Ohioans approved the establishment of the $400 million bond program in 2000, and this is the 18th round of funding to be awarded through the Clean Ohio Trail Fund.
Pictured at top: The view of the Ohio River from the Broadway Wharf in East Liverpool.
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
