COLUMBUS GREENWAYS AND TRAILS
DETOUR AND TRAIL UPDATES
NEWS AND INFORMATION ON THE TRAILS
COLUMBUS GREENWAYS AND TRAILS | |
| TRAIL CONSTRUCTION AND DETOUR SUMMARIES NEW UPDATE: May 19, 2009 | |||||||||
Winter Note: Site users will recall that, due to my winter workload, I generally update construction information once or twice from November through March. As construction progress usually halts or slows dramatically with the poor weather, this is rarely an issue. For some of the projects in work listed below, conditions may change before the next update. I'd advise checking the areas in question before getting out on the trail if possible. As always, any updates from users are welcome at njp@jnybny.com Recent News Articles - (Thanks to Ira Weiss for his newsletter updates) Gahanna has applied for grants to build a previously detailed section of the Big Walnut Trail. The information can be accessed at the link below. The proposed trail section is detailed in the Big Walnut Update HERE http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/gahanna/stories/2009/01/28/0129rfbwtrail_ln.html?sid=104 The ongoing work on the connection between the two segments of the Blacklick Trail which will involve a crossing of Winchester Pike at Ebright/Shannon Rd (at least until a future underpass plan is built). For the moment, that will involve a dangerous crossing of a lightly trafficked but high-speed road. More here: watch27_ART_01-27-09_B7_K4CN07C.html-sid=101 A couple of miscellaneous stories on trail activity in the Battelle-Darby (Big Darby Greenway Trail) area. The good news is that the completed but unopened section of the Darby Trail north to US40 will shortly be available for use. The most recent version of the MORPC Central Ohio Greenways and Trails Map is out. This is a one page color map showing existing trails (solid lines) and planned or proposed new trails, extensions etc. More information regarding those is located below in the construction updates. The map can be accessed as a PDF file here: GreenwayTrails Central OH Aug2008.pdf. This is also reproduced as a jpeg photo here (with some loss of quality) Here is a link to the PDF file outlining the proposed Metro Park Levy for 2009. The 48 page document covers many of the proposed projects and how the levy would be allocated. Most of the information is fairly general. Greenways projects are discussed on page 24. On Page 25, a possible increase in the area administered by Metro Park in connection with the Scioto Audubon Park is discussed. (A portion of the Whittier Peninsula is being held by the City of Columbus for future development but, as this may be some years off, the area might be administered as a part of the Metro Park in the shorter term.) There is also information on land acquisition which could impact trail building in the future as well. More here: Click here to see the Draft Levy Plan A short Dispatch article on the impact of the proposed downtown disentangle of I -70 and I - 71 on Dodge Park and the new Scioto Audubon Metro Park. In both cases, portions of parkland will be taken for ODOT use with impact on both the Westbank Trail (which terminates at the south end of Dodge Park) and the Lower Scioto (which passes under I - 70). In both cases, provisions will be included for relocating the trails. The construction is not anticipated to impact either park until 2016. More here: Dispatch Article on Parks 11/28 The Dispatch had a recent article about the City of Columbus plans for trail-related projects being funding by the recently passed bond issue. (In the interest of full disclosure, the author and this website are mentioned and quoted in paragraphs 2 and 3) The article can be accessed here: The article speaks to construction of the Easton - Ohio Dominican segment of the Alum Creek Trail, of a connection to McKinley Ave from the Scioto Trail and other projects to be worked on in 2009. The Dispatch also had an article the other day on the Metro Park Budget for 2009 which also discusses some projects such as the Camp Chase Trail. The article can be accessed here: | |||||||||
QUICK VIEW - CLOSURES / DETOURS
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| TRAIL UPDATES - OLENTANGY |
| CURRENT CONSTRUCTION: 1. Whetstone Park: There will be some sewer work in Whetstone Park during the fall and winter months. As of now, there are no plans to close the trail although there may be slowdowns due to ramps over some of the work. More HERE 2. OSU Campus: The trail construction from Woody Hayes Dr to Drake Union appears completed. Pictures: HERE: 3. Milton Ave @ North Broadway: The bike boulevard upgrades to the roads between Northmoor Park and Clinton Como Park (Crossing North Broadway) have been completed for the year. Next year, "bike boxes" and upgraded crossing signals will be added. The area is clear of construction. For a picture of the recent dedication go HERE |
| FUTURE CONSTRUCTION: 1. OSU - Future Plans: The above referenced OSU plan, which can be found here: OSU Bikeways Plan, is a three-part improvement which will likely take several years to complete. This area may have some sort of construction issues for the foreseeable future. Phase I, the continuation from Woody Hayes Drive to Drake Union is underway. Phase II, the stabilization and reconstruction from John Herrick Dr to the Power Station will begin next year. Phase III, which involves the building of new trail along the west side of Drake Union is still under consideration. More information HERE 2. Henderson Road: A planned revamp of the Henderson Rd bridge over the Olentangy River was scheduled for 2008 but has been delayed until 2009. This will involve replacing the current narrow walkway with a wider path and protective roadside barrier. The trail will be closed through this point during construction but a detour route has been determined and will be published when construction starts. 3. Goodale Connector: A agreement between the City of Columbus and ODOT will allow a trail connector to be built accessing the Olentangy Trail at Goodale Ave. Construction to be completed by 2011. More HERE |
| LONG RANGE PLANS: - Connection to Highbanks Metropark. |
| TRAIL UPDATES- SCIOTO |
| CURRENT CONSTRUCTION: 1.) Marconi/Broad/Civic Center Drive - The area from Battelle Riverfront Park to Bicentennial Park is in various stages of construction. The walkway on the northeast corner of Broad and Marconi is being widened and repaved. Civic Center Dr has been reduced to a single lane and the adjoining riverside walkway is in rough shape with construction equipment occasionally blocking. The area around the now-closed Town St Bridge is also in bad shape. This portion of the project is due for completion some time in 2009. It is part of the SCIOTO MILE project. MORE INFO: HERE 2.) Bicentennial Park - Trail is closed in the area where the new Main St Bridge is being built. Detour around or through Bicentennial Park and back down Main St to a short asphalt path back to the trail. (Completion 2010) Additionally, the Town Street bridge was recently closed prematurely due to safety considerations. This does not directly affect trail travel on either side of the river but the only active crossing for users of the SCIOTO LOOP is now Broad St. MORE INFORMATION HERE 3.) West Bank Trail - Trail is closed in the area where the new Main St Bridge is being built. Detour down Town St to Starling St and follow the asphalt path back to the trail. (Caution: detour crosses Rich St and has a steep up-and-down to the trail.) (Completion 2010) MORE INFORMATION: HERE 4.) Scioto Audubon Park - Area adjacent is currently being worked along the stub end of Whittier St. Doesn't currently impact the trail in this area but that may change over the next several months. MORE INFORMATION HERE |
| FUTURE CONSTRUCTION: 1.) Lower Scioto/West Bank Trail - Once the Main St bridge is completed in 2010, the removal and replacement of the Town St bridge (currently closed) will begin. This will likely continue to disrupt trail travel through the downtown area for some years to come on both sides of the river. 2. Lower Scioto Trail - As the SCIOTO MILE project advances, there will be considerable changes in the north/east side of the river between Broad St and Main St. (Website is here: http://www.sciotomile.com/ ) Part of the plan would be to create a river level path all the way from North Bank Park to Bicentennial Park bypassing the street level crossings at Broad, Town and Main Streets.) It is likely that trail travel through this stretch will continue to be somewhat compromised for some time. 3. Lower Scioto - In addition to disruptions caused by park construction in the new Scioto Audubon Metro Park, the trail itself is due to be moved along a new route. Details:HERE 4.) Upper Scioto - Trail section to connect current dead end opposite Waterworks with section off Grandview Ave: ODOT has selected a trail connection option. Trail to be built in the next few years. MORE HERE 5.) Upper Scioto - Trail extension from current dead-end at River's Edge complex to 5th Avenue - slated for some time in 2009. 6.) McKinley Ave - a bridge to connect with McKinley Ave from the Scioto Trail near Grandview is to be built next year. This will include bike lanes on McKinley as well. |
| LONG RANGE PLANS: - Trail to be extended northward to Griggs Reservoir Area parks. Time frame: 2012 -2016 - Trail to be extended southward via underpass of Frank Rd (SR 104). Time frame: 2012 - 2016 |
| TRAIL UPDATES- ALUM CREEK |
| CURRENT CONSTRUCTION: Petzinger Rd: Reconfiguration of the intersection of Petzinger Rd and College Ave (US33) is nearing completion. The traffic-calming islands have been removed and the new curbs and curb cuts are completed. The road markings, turn lanes, and crossing signals are not yet in place. You may encounter some intermittent trail disruptions as these take place during the weekday hours over the next few weeks. MORE PICTURES |
| FUTURE CONSTRUCTION: 1. Easton to Ohio Dominican: UPDATE (11/25/08) The passage of the 2008 Recreation and Parks Bond Issue appears to have cleared the way for this section to proceed to construction beginning some time in 2009. Trail connection between current dead-ends at Easton and Airport Rd (Ohio Dominican) to be built in the next few years. Route has been selected and engineering is in progress. Bypass using Stelzer Rd/Johnstown Rd/N Cassady Rds can be found here: Bridging the Alum Creek Trail. Gap to be replaced in three parts - first section to be built will extend from Ohio Dominican/Airport Rd to Mock Park area; second from Mock Park area to Innis Park (Sunbury and Innis Rds) and last section from Innis Park to trail-end in soccer park near Easton - first section likely start is sometime in 2009; second and third sections, sometime in 2010-2012. SECTION PAGE HERE 2. Westerville north of Sports Park: Trail to be extended from current dead-end under County-Line Rd to connect to existing trail-end of Polaris-Maxtown bike path. Will provide continuous travel through the park from Heritage Park to Genoa Trail. (Note: wide concrete path is also available from Heritage to path along east side of Cleveland Ave.) |
| LONG RANGE PLANS: - Road bridge replacements at Main St (Columbus) and W Main St (Westerville) and Livingston Ave (Columbus) may result in current grade crossings being eliminated for underpasses. |
| TRAIL UPDATES - BLACKLICK |
| CURRENT CONSTRUCTION: 1. BLACKLICK WOODS TO TUSSING RD: New trail section under construction between Blacklick Woods Metropark and Tussing Rd (at the Maintenance entrance to Turnberry Golf Course. Will involve underpasses of I-70 and Tussing Rd. Trail cut and most surfacing prep completed. Underpass of Tussing Rd partially completed. I-70 underpass not yet started. Extensive asphalt paving in Blacklick Woods Metropark on existing gravel trail from the Nature Center parking area along the south side of the multi-use loop to the new trail turn-off. Appears that this will provide access for trail users to parking area and Metro Park roads. First part of connection between Blacklick Woods Metro Park and trail dead-end in Portman Park south of Refugee Rd. SECTION PAGE Recent Photos HERE 2. SHANNON RD TO THREE CREEKS: Planned hookup of two principal existing sections via a trail bridge crossing of US 33 has been delayed until at least 2009. Current project plans include: relocation of Shannon Rd to allow trail to past on north side; underpass of Winchester Pike; completion of trail from stub-section off Ebright and Winchester to US 33; trail bridge over US 33; connection to existing turnaround loop in Three Creeks Metro Park west of US 33. Funding is in place and reengineering is in progress. Complete by 2012. SECTION PAGE(With Bypass Suggestion 3. GROVEPORT CONNECTION: Groveport has recently completed the Foor Leisure Path from Ebright Rd to the Blacklick Trail near the intersection of Old Bixby Rd and Hamilton. More information here: HERE and map here: http://www.groveportrec.com/pdfs/Foor%20Leisure%20Path%2010-08.pdf |
| FUTURE CONSTRUCTION: 1. Tussing Rd to Portman Park: This will be completed in two parts - Trail along Turnberry Golf Course and Trail across Refugee Rd to Portman Park. First part involves cooperative effort to develop strategy for trail - golf course partnership. May start in 2009. Completion by 2012. SECTION PAGE |
| LONG RANGE PLANS: - Trail extension north to New Albany trail system. |
| TRAIL UPDATES - BIG WALNUT |
| CURRENT CONSTRUCTION: - Central Ohio Metro Parks is planning an extension of the Chipmunk Chatter Trail (College Ave and Sunbury Rd) through Inniswood Metro Park to Hempstead Ave. |
| FUTURE CONSTRUCTION: - The city of Gahanna will shortly begin construction of a large section of the Big Walnut Greenway Trail. Completed section will run from Morse Rd south to Pizzuro Park and connect several local parks. Area construction starts on a half-mile section almost immediately. This will connect several local parks. MORE HERE |
| LONG RANGE PLANS: - Trail sections are being planned for the next few years to extend the north end of the Sunbury bike path near County-Line Rd to Galena and to continue that same trail south, to Blendon Woods Metro Park and Cherry Bottom Park. - Long term, the Big Walnut will eventually stretch southwards to link with the other two Creek trails, Alum Creek and Blacklick, in Three Creeks Metro Park. |
| TRAIL UPDATES - DARBY CREEK |
| CURRENT CONSTRUCTION: - DARBY CREEK GREENWAY Nov. 13, 2008 I spoke with Battelle-Darby Creek Metro Park's ranger, Kevin, for latest update on completing the Darby Trail. Work now in progress in building the path's two at-grade roadway crossings over Darby Creek Dr. They are being designed to be ADA compliant with brick and asphalt apron ,and per Federal, ODOT, County standards. While warning path crossing pavement striping and signs will be installed along Darby Creek Dr and trail, the roadway's speed limit will remain 55 MPH! Once this is completed - within a few weeks - the entire trail will be open. Demolition work of old buildings recently underway, but that will not impact the trail. Kevin assured me the trail's entire length's surface is crushed limestone with a more consistent smaller grit size than what users experience to the north in Prairie Oaks MetroPark. He is interested to hear our feedback as we use the Darby Trail. Designs are actively progressing for taking the Darby Trail under I-70, to connect Prairie Oaks with Battelle-Darby However the N/S route from SR-40 to I-70 is still up in the air. - Central Ohio Metro Parks has opened a 1.7 mile section of the Darby Creek Trail which runs north from the Cedar Ridge Picnic Area. The trail is hardpack dirt and gravel for both foot and cycle traffic. It is CLOSED at Darby Creek Drive pending construction on the remaining 2.5 miles. Road crossings will be added and derelict buildings demolished. The trail itself is substantially completed including the adaptation of the horse track oval just south of US 40. More details HERE |
| FUTURE CONSTRUCTION: - UPDATE 11/25/08 - The Metro Parks budget for 2009 includes funding for the underpass of I-70. Work should begin some time in 2009. CO Metro Parks is working on linking Battelle-Darby Metro Park trails with the trails in Prairie Oaks Metro Park. This will involved underpasses of I-70 and US 40. Easements, property purchases etc. are currently in work so the exact routing is not finalized. MORE HERE |
| LONG RANGE PLANS: - The Darby Creek Trail will eventually go farther north linking with the Heritage Rail-Trail (Hilliard). - The Camp Chase Trail will link the Darby Creek with the southern portion of the Ohio to Erie Trail south to London and Cincinnati and, via the Little Miami, Dayton. Through an as yet undetermined route, this trail will also link eastward with the Scioto Trail near Downtown. |
| TRAIL UPDATES - DOWNTOWN CONNECTOR / I - 670 BIKE TRAIL |
| CURRENT CONSTRUCTION: - ODOT and CRPD are working to improve the trail as is passes over I-670 along Leonard Avenue. The asphalt surface had settled as much as 4 inches below the concrete curbs and platforms creating a dangerous situation. Curb removal and replacement and resurfacing are involved. Additionally, Leonard Ave is narrowed slightly along the work area. More INFO HERE |
| FUTURE CONSTRUCTION: - The Downtown Connector will involve improvements to existing roads and walkways and a route signing package. No specific construction dates have been announced but it will likely be completed in time for the Bicentennial in 2012. Connector will likely involve some sidewalk widening or replacement, extensive shared-use and directional signing, some crossing signal upgrades and short sections of asphalt trail near I-670 and Cleveland Ave. MORE INFO HERE and HERE |
| LONG RANGE PLANS: - None |
| TRAIL UPDATES - MISCELLANEOUS |
| Northland Connector - A proposed route signing involving some dedicated trail and some north-side surface streets to connect the Olentangy Trail at Broadmeadows Blvd. With the Alum Creek at Casto Park and the Big Walnut (future trail) in Cherry Bottom Park. More HERE |
| Westerville - Arena District Bike Path - A proposed route designed to use an abandoned railroad right-of-way that parallels Westerville Rd from Cooper Park south to 17th Ave and a signed route from there to the I-670 Bike Trail and Downtown Connector. MORE HERE |
| OHIO TO ERIE TRAIL Camp Chase Trail - Update 11/25/08 - The Metro Parks 2009 budget was approved with funds to begin the 11.4 mile connection between London and the Scioto Trail some time next year. Planned rail-trail connection between the existing Prairie Grass Trail in London (see http://www.miamivalleytrails.org/london2.htm ) and the Darby Greenway Trail in Battelle - Darby Metro Park. Big step in closing the gap on the Ohio to Erie Trail through Columbus. Negotiations recently concluded for easement along rail-line. Project is in development. More HERE Battelle Darby - Scioto Connection - Several different options are being analyzed for this connection. Direct connection along rail-line is currently ruled out. Trail may run south to an extension of the Lower Scioto south of Frank Rd (SR 104). Numerous easement issues to be worked through. |
| Genoa Trail - Extension of the existing trail north from Plumb Rd to Galena. Part of the Ohio to Erie Trail. SECTION PAGE HERE. The extension of the trail looks to be in the preliminary stages with completion some time towards the end of 2009. |
| Community Trails - An important aspect of trail building is the ongoing development of community trail and walkway systems. These not only allow for folks to get around their own communities without recourse to automobiles and to develop healthier lifestyles, they also serve, in many cases to connect the major riparian and cross trails. Trails and recreational paths are a becoming a requirement for housing and zoning development approval in many communities and others are taking the initiative to develop their own plans for building or connecting trails. As such, a week hardly goes by without a new connection somewhere. Some of the recent ones that I've noticed are: Westerville and Genoa Township across SR 3 at Mt Royal and along Africa Rd from Polaris Parkway and also in Dublin connecting to Dublin Rd and to Glacier Ridge Metro Park. MORE HERE - As noted above, Gahanna is planned on beginning construction of a section of The Big Walnut Trail. Additionally, New Albany is also expanding their community trail building efforts. Both are covered in a 10/11/08 Dispatch article HERE |
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| The view under Woody Hayes Dr going south. | The trail now passes under the roadway eliminating a grade crossing. | The new trail. The Shoe is to the left. The old trail which runs on the berm to the left was also repaved. The ramp leads back up to Woody Hayes Dr. | The new trail. | Near Drake Union the trail splits. The left fork takes you up to the existing trail. The right fork dead ends ahead but will eventually connect to the trail at John Herrick Dr. | The lower dead-end. Phase II will eventually connect the trail across these grounds to connect directly to the trail at John Herrick (in the far center right of the picture.) This project is a few years in the future as of now. |
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| The view at the top of the ramp to Drake Union. | The area, past the ramp, where the trail intersects with walkways to the towers. The surface has been repaved. | Nearing Drake Union. The surface here has been paved over. | At Drake Union, you have the option of going down the steep ramp and through the parking area with another steep ramp up or going up to and across via the arcade in front of the building. One has steeps ups and downs with auto traffic, the other is narrow and can be crowded with pedestrians. |
| Olentangy Trail News August 21, 2008 |
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Planned Trail Impacts :: Fall 2008 | :: Phase III, Olentangy Trail Improvements | ||
Contact | For questions or comments, please contact Steve Volkmann, | ||
http://fod.osu.edu
http://fod.osu.edu/master_plans/campus_bikeways_5-10-06.pdf
Phase 1 - connects the current dead end under Woody Hayes Dr (where the new trail from the bridge installations a few years ago was put down) with the existing trail on the levee top.
Phase 2 - reconfigures the trail around Drake Union to run on the river side. (this requires bridging the old rowing team marina on that side)
Phase 3 - reconstructs the trail from Drake Union under John Herrick and along the river side of the power substation to the new trail put down during the new SR315 off-ramp installations a few years ago.
The original draft plan is dated 11/11/05; the final revision is dated 5/10/06
The original plan, in PDF format is here: Campus Bikeways Plan 11/11/05
The updated plan, in PDF format is here:Campus Bikeways Plan 5-10-06.pdf
For a pictorial walk through of the proposed Bikeways Plan, go to the Campus/Harrison West Description page.
Trail users may have noticed along polyurethane pipe running along the Olentangy Trail in Whetstone Park. There is some sewer work being done. There are no closures planned but there are bumps to be negotiated. (See pictures)
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| Whetstone Park showing the plastic pipe | Signage approaching one of the ramps. (Near Adena Creek) | Approaching the ramp. | Closer view of the ramp "bump" Note, this placement may not be permanently in this location and there may be others as the work progresses. |
Dave also sent me a note on a new connector trail. This is a needed connection as, currently, the trail must be accessed either at Third Ave and Olentangy River Rd or at Spring St. and SR 315--a distance of almost a mile and a half. This will open up the Olentangy/Scioto to a large group of users.
COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
September 22, 2008
For More Information: John Ivanic, 645-6798 |
The project will extend into early 2009 with the addition of "bike boxes" and enhanced crossing signals. Bike boxes are areas which collect cycle (and pedestrian) crossers and permit priority crossing ahead of automobile traffic. Additionally, right-turn on red may be prohibited. Currently, the roads have been resurfaced and marked and are available for normal use.
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| An example of the on-road signing | New directional signing makes it easier to find you way through the connector. | New wider and repaved section of Milton leading to the North Broadway intersection | The intersection at North Broadway showing the wider road and the separation lines. Bike boxes will be added in 2009 | Picture of Milton Ave Bike Boulevard Dedication |
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| Milton, south of North Broadway. | Delhi, looking west. The road has been repaved, marked. Note: this road is one-way for automobiles and two-way for trail traffic. | Riverside Dr looking south to Clinton-Como Park. Also repaved, also one-way for auto traffic (note one-way sign that excepts bicycles) and two-way for trail users. |
| SCIOTO RIVER GREENWAY TRAIL: MAIN STREET BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION (LOWER SCIOTO AND WEST BANK TRAILS) |
 Location: South of Town Street through Bicentennial Park to Miranova on the east side of the river; south of Town Street to Rich Street on the west side.Description: The closed Main Street bridge has been removed and will be replaced with a new bridge. Both anchorage areas have large closed-off sections blocking the existing trails. Detour Type: Relatively short in both cases. Well signed. SCIOTO: cross through Bicentennial Park, west (left) down Main Street and back onto the trail via a short asphalt path connector. WESTBANK: Turn west on Town Street, follow down to Starling Street. There is a long gravel connector with some steep ramping from there which crosses Rich St. and connects to the trail south to Dodge Park. Duration: The bridge project is scheduled for completion in 2009. Once the approaches are in place, depending on the needs for staging construction equipment and materials, the trail detours may change or be lifted. Construction Status: The new bridge is progressing. The piers are in place and the decking is being built. Still to be constructed - the tower structure. There is a webcam at: http://mainstreetbridge.bounceme.net/ (This has been dysfunctional for some time now. Comment: The new bridge should afford good walkways for trail users. It will also lengthen and enhance the Scioto Loop. UPDATE Summer 2008 - The recent safety closure of the Town St Bridge does not current affect trail users on either side of the river (although it shortens the downtown loop) . Completion of the Main St Bridge project will signal, however, the start of the Town/Rich St replacement bridge--so trail use may be impacted for the several few years. For More Detailed Information - Scioto Trail: Main Street Bridge Replacement Detours and Details (Lower Scioto and Westbank Trails) |
| SCIOTO RIVER GREENWAY TRAIL: CIVIC CENTER DR CONSTRUCTION | ||||||||||||
 Location: Between Broad St and Town StDescription: The reconstruction of Civic Center Dr is the start of the Scioto Mile Project. (More info here.) Detour Type: Varies depending on the work being done. The area can be bypassed either by going east on Broad to Front or High and back down Town or Rich St to Bicentennial Park. Also by going west on Broad to the West Bank Trail and, again, back over the river farther south via Town St. Duration: This portion of the project is slated for completion in Summer '09. Construction Status: Roadway construction is ongoing. Currently (Fall '08): CONSTRUCTION IS IN PLACE FROM MARCONI AT BATTELLE RIVERFRONT PARK TO BICENTENNTIAL PARK. WALKWAYS MAY BE CLOSED or BLOCKED and heavy equipment has made the surface uneven. (See below) Comment: The Scioto Mile project should provide us with a better and smoother walkway eliminating an uneven and narrow surface. Additionally, the long term plans for the Scioto Mile project include a river level pedestrian use walkway as well.
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Farther south, in Scioto Audubon Metro Park, (the former Lower Scioto Park) some bigger changes are in work. You may noticed silt fencing along the ridges where Whittier St used to run. I say used to because a good portion of that roadway has been removed and the surrounding land in under development. Practically, this means that the trail exit just at Mile Post 1.0 (South) now leads no where. Also, the boat loading area and parking lot in the former Lower Scioto Park has been completely revamped and upgraded. This does not affect the current trail which exits the park onto Whittier St before reaching this point.
The park construction will, at some point, involve the relocation of the trail from the underpass of I-70 (north of Mile Post 1.0) south to Whittier St.
 |  | The Metro Parks proposal for the new Whittier Peninsula Metro Park. Note the changed routing for the trail (the heavy black line.) Also of note, the possible connection to Dodge Park which would extend the Scioto Loop options. (Click on the thumbnails to bring up the plans in a separate window). This is exciting stuff. Much more detailed stuff can be found at: http://www.columbus.gov/whittier.asp The work is proceeding but does not affect the existing trail at this time. |
SCIOTO TRAIL (UPPER) - CONFLUENCE TO GRANDVIEW CONNECTION
A couple of years ago, ODOT introduced a proposal, or set of proposals with regard to connecting the two extant sections of the Upper Scioto Trail. Several alternatives were given and commentary requested on route preference. The alternatives ranged from finding some on-road solution using either Dublin Rd or Souder and McKinley to different crossings of the large undeveloped property north of I-670. Dave Roseman and Ira Weiss sent over an ODOT announcement (link below) which gives the final choice. Construction, which will involve crossing the Scioto twice on trail bridges, is not set to begin until 2010. Hopefully, the CRPD proposal to extend the Grandview Section as far as 5th Avenue will be in work as well.
The proposal is here: ODOT I670.pdf
The original proposal extracts with explanations is reproduced below:
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ALUM CREEK TRAIL - PETZINGER INTERSECTION UPGRADE
Pictures showing the current situation at Petzinger as of 11/13/08
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| View south across Petzinger showing the new crossing. | Closer view south. Note the absence of old turn islands and truncation of center island to permit crossing. | Close view looking south of south side. Note pole in center back left. That is former curb line. Barrels at right indicate that road striping is unfinished as of this photo. | View looking south. College Ave (US33 to left). There is a bike rack at the 7/11 to the right. |
I work in the area of Stelzer Rd south of Easton and, with the road widening recently completed as far south as the north end of the airport, that road now becomes the major link in a detour between the current dead end of the north section, at the Easton area soccer fields and the southern section which ends at Airport Rd south of Ohio Dominican. (Actually, the detour exits the trail at Easton Way, proceeds through the shopping district, picks up Stelzer south to Johnstown Rd, and via N Cassady and Fifth Aves reenters the trail from the last road just west of I-670. More detail and a map below.
BRIDGING THE GAP ON THE ALUM CREEK TRAIL
Aerial map - bridging the Alum Creek Trail: 
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| Asphalt trail surface in Blacklick Woods. It appears that the unpaved half will preserve the original trail type alongside. | The exception are those short sections which were already paved due to a relatively steep grades through the loop section. Note the wide paving. | The new trail will fork to the right. The existing trail loops left and back around to rejoin itself east of the Nature Center parking area. | The new trail cut. I-70 is in the center background. | Construction on the north side ends at the I-70 underpass. The Blacklick Creek is to the left. | The underpass of I-70 through which the trail will eventually pass. |
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| The underpass of I-70 from the south side. | The trail cut going south toward Tussing Rd. | More trail cut. | More cut, Tussing Rd is ahead. | Approach to Tussing Rd showing completed retaining wall. | Trail south of Tussing Rd looping back around to south side of road. Turnberry Maintenance Rd is to the left. |
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| View south from Tussing Rd showing Golf Course maintenance Rd and trail cut. |
The parks department of Groveport has made the trail detour between the two sections of the Blacklick Trail a little easier to bridge. They have built the Foor Leisure Trail - a paved trail between Ebright Rd and the Blacklick Trail off Old Bixby Rd near Hamilton Rd. They were putting the finishing touches, today, on the paved trail connector which joins the trail access point near Old Bixby Rd with Cruiser Park just off Bixby. The connector crosses Bixby and Old Bixby. Instead of having to loop around to get to the trail, users coming from the east can just turn right and access the trail. When exiting the Blacklick, users will not have to negotiate two left turns to Bixby Rd. And you can now park in Cruiser Park and access the Blacklick as well. More pictures to come. Also, this will likely provide an easier connection to the western section of the trail as users can proceed down Ebright after using the automobile overpass and turn directly onto the trail rather than using Bixby Rd. More information can be had at the Groveport Site: http://www.groveportrec.com/
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| Heading west on Bixby Rd approaching Hamilton. The new access path to the Blacklick can be seen ahead. | A closer view. (From Cruiser Park entrance) Path to the left going into the park. Parth across the street goes to Blacklick Trail. The ends the need for going down to Hamilton and back up Old Bixby Rds. | Looking across to Cruiser Park. The large parking area offers an access to the Blacklick on the east side of Hamilton. The only other parking for this half of the trail is in Three Creeks Metropark. | The new path between Bixby and Old Bixby Rds. | The new path crosses Old Bixby Rd. | And intersects the Blacklick Trail. Going left takes you under Hamilton and to Three Creeks Metropark. Going right takes you to the current loop turnaround west of US 33. (And will eventually connect across that roadway to the eastern section) | View of the new access path from the Blacklick Trail (cones to the center right) |
1. The Columbus Dispatch has an article here: Dispatch Article on Big Walnut which reports that the Metro Parks board has approved acquiring an easement from the Little Turtle GC to build a mile long section of the Big Walnut trail. It would underpass SR161 and connect to Blendon Woods Metro Park. It would eventually connect to the Sunbury Trail and Hoover Reservoir. (There is a Metro Parks plan to extent the Chipmunk Chatter Trail south from Inniswood Metro Gardens to Hempstead Rd. See: Big Walnut: Hoover Reservoir Area) and, presumably, to the new trail detailed below in Gahanna. An important aspect of this construction, estimated to be completed by 2010, is the adjacency of the trail with the Little Turtle GC. Some future trail projects in the area are also dependent on being able to successfully integrate with golf courses--as the article quotes--keeping trail users on the trails and golfers on the course. This project might offer a model for future cooperation.
2. Although some legal hurdles are not yet resolved, the city of Gahanna is going to begin work on a new section of the nascent Big Walnut Trail. The new section will run from Morse Rd through Academy Park, Woodside Garden Park, Ridenour Park underpass I-270 near Hamilton Rd and end in Pizzuro Park on the east side of the Columbus International Airport. The 6 page preliminary concept plan is reproduced below. The plan can also be accessed as a PDF file here:
The story on the project from This Week News can be found here:
Below is the schematic from the Gahanna Parks & Recreation website along with a jpg of the current city parks/trails map showing existing and the new proposed trail.
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Dave Roseman sent me a note and a picture. The I - 670 Bike Trail is being reconstructed at the Leonard Ave overpass of I-670. This is a significant repair as the trail asphalt had settled and shrunk in the years since it was built. This created uneven seams between the trail and the concrete corner platforms--as much as 4 inches in places. No current time frame but I believe that the removal and repaving will probably be completed with 1-2 weeks. (10/20/08)
 | Picture of I - 670 Trail off Leonard Ave showing removal of the asphalt surface pending repaving. (Courtesy D Roseman) |
As you may have noticed, I am not a professional when it comes to building and maintaining a website. I am always learning and experimenting and, at last count, this site had some 17,000 files of one sort or another that made it up. Broken links, missing pictures etc. kind of come with the territory. If you notice anything, or if you have a suggestion or comment please drop me a line at njp@jnybny.com.
And to the many folks over the years who've sent me notes appreciation for the site. Thank you!
The information contained on this site is collected and organized by me with the occasional help of some friends and fellow trail users. I also collect and reproduce information from official sources involved with trail planning, construction and maintenance. It is as accurate as I can make it but it is not necessarily complete, not necessarily current and, in some parts, pure personal observation and in other parts, anecdotal. There are a number of very expert agencies both public and private, some of whom are listed on the Links Page. For more specific and more accurate info in their capacities, please check with them.
I collect and post information on trail construction and detours. This is purely for informational purposes. I do not advocate violating official road and/or trail closure restrictions nor do I encourage anyone to travel or pass through construction areas whether construction is going on or not. Serious injury can result. So you're on your own in that regard.
That said, enjoy the trails and I hope you find the site useful.
05/19/2009
