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OVERVIEWNot, strictly speaking, a part of the Alum Creek Trail although one day it might connect, I suppose. The running venue is a path along the top of the earthen dam which is half asphalt, half hard-pack dirt and grass. The distance from one end to the other is in the neighborhood of two miles and, for those who don't mind a little narrow shoulder running in traffic, a long circular loop can be made by circling around via Lewis Center and Africa roads. Certainly one of the more scenic running spots around town and, on a hot day, one of the cooler ones (at least, up on the dam.)
The distance across the top of the dam is around 1.8 miles and a circular loop using Lewis Center and Africa roads around 3.7. You can get to 4 miles by using the access road to the Below Dam area parking lot which is just east of the intersection of Lewis Center and Bale Kenyon Rds.
Sort of something for everyone. There are four parking areas. The main lot and the largest is below the dam on the east side of the spillway. There is access via a trail and a lot of steps. Some hardcore folks run up and down the several dozen steps. It can get windy at the top. From the top, you can go left onto the concrete walkway of the spillway gates and then to the asphalt path which runs to Lewis Center Rd or to the right onto a natural surface of hard pack dirt and grass. This goes straight for a long while then turns north and ends at Africa Rd. There are three other parking areas. The two on the east side of the main lot do not have direct access to the top of the dam. (Although the incline of the grassy slope is not so great that it can't be scaled provided you are in shape to do so.) There is a small one on the other side right near the end of the asphalt trail at Lewis Center Rd. An out-and-back on the dam top is around 3.8 miles, roughly measured. The other option, a counterclockwise circle loop which can be made by using Lewis Center Rd and Africa Rd (the counterclockwise means you'll be on the dam side of these busy country roads and will avoid issues at the intersections at Bale Kenyon Rd and at Big Walnut Road.) is similar in distance but can be stretched out to 4 miles if you use the access road to the main parking lot.
On the Africa Rd end, there is small gravel apron which some folks park on. Not sure if there is parking enforcement..
South
I-71 to the Polaris Parkway Exit. Go east (right) on Polaris Parkway to the light at Worthington Rd. Turn north (left) onto Worthington Rd and bear left onto East Powell Rd. Bear right a short time later onto Bale Kenyon Rd. and follow it to the dam.
North
I-71 to the US36 exit (Delaware/Sunbury). Go west (right). Look for RV sales lot on left side and turn left onto Africa Rd on the opposite side. Stay on Africa Rd though stop sign (Cheshire Rd) and continue to dam area.
West
Rt. 23 to Lewis Center Rd. Go east (right) onto Lewis Center Rd. Continue through stop sign (at Old State Rd) to dam.
East
Rt 3 to Big Walnut Rd. Go west on Big Walnut. Follow to dam.
Not an easy thing to do on a bike or on foot. At the intersection of Polaris Parkway and Cleveland Rd go west to Worthington Rd. Turn right (north) on Worthington and bear left (second fork) at Bale Kenyon Rd. Follow Bale Kenyon to Lewis Center Rd. Dam area is across that road. (Go right for main parking area)
| Panorama view of the dam |
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| Main Parking Area | View of Walkway and Stairs | View from Top | West To Gates | Asphalt Side | Trail |
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| Looking back | Split near End | End at Lewis Center Rd | Grass Side | Trail | Trail |
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| Near Africa Rd | Gate at Africa Rd | Long View (Roads) | Marker | Park Resident |
06/02/2008
