UPDATE: 6/25/07 - Description, maps and photos updated.

NOTE: The Blacklick Trail currently exists in two sections: the western section which runs from Three Creeks Metropark to a turnaround dead end just west of US33; and an eastern section which runs from a dead-end at Shannon Rd just east of Winchester Pike to the Abbie Lakes development where it splits--the north fork going to the east side of Portman Park; and the south fork going to the Glacier Ridge area of the Pickerington Ponds Metropark. This section details the eastern portion - north fork for the western section go to  Blacklick - Three Creeks and for the spur to the Pickerington Ponds - Portman To Ponds

There are plans to join these two sections over the next several months to a year. In the meantime, a possible bypass is shaping up with the overpass of US33 with a new bridge at Ebright Rd.

DESCRIPTION: West to East

Currently, this section begins in the east just at Shannon Rd about a half mile or so NE of the intersection with Winchester Pike. There is no parking in this area. The trail runs eastward along the southern side of the Blacklick for a little over a mile to a new very long, very nice trail bridge (with an observation deck). On the north side of the creek, the trail splits into a triangle. The west point leads to an access trail to Blacklick Estates at Deforest Dr and Beagle Blvd. The east point continues to trail with another branch spur at Kady Dr also in Blacklick Woods. The trail follows the north side of the Blacklick, crossing Powell Creek and running  to another trail bridge, crossing back to the south side and underpassing Brice Rd. It continues and passes under Gender Rd then straightens out and reaches the Abbie Lakes development. There, it t-splits going north and south. The trail north leads to the east half of Portman Park and, with a slight bypass, to Refugee Rd. The south fork crosses Abbie Trails Dr and winds around the Brice Grove development and into Pickerington Ponds. This is detailed in a separate section.

A rough measurement of open trail: Blacklick Estates to Abbie Lakes Development: 2.0 miles; From there to Portman Park: 0.7 or to Pickerington Ponds: 1.0. The new section of trail will run about 1.7 miles. In all, from Shannon Rd to Portman Park - about 4.3 miles.

There is no parking at the trailheads in Blacklick Estates. There is parking at Portman Park (take Long Rd off Abbie Trails Rd for the west side) but the development lots are marked private. You can also park in the west half and cross the closed Long Rd bridge to the trail side.

AERIAL MAPS now have their own page: Blacklick Aerials - Shannon Rd to Portman Park

PHOTOS

FROM ABBIE TRAILS DR (ABBIE LAKES) NORTH TO PORTMAN PARK
	Standing on Abbie Trails Rd looking north. The trail straight leads to Portman Park (covered below). The fork to the left is the main trail west which will, one day, connect with the trail when it comes east from Three Creeks Metropark.
	The trail snakes around the retention ponds west of the Abbie Lakes development.
	It turns into what was Long Rd. (The current road turns into the Portman Park (east) area and ends.)
	The trail turns to the right. Straight ahead, what was Long Rd. goes over a closed vehicular bridge to the west side of the river and gives access to Portman Park (west) and a path to Refugee Rd. (See below)
	In Portman Park (east)
	Another view.
	The trail ends just north of the recreational area of Portman Park (east) in this truncated fork
FROM ABBIE TRAILS DR WEST TO SHANNON RD. AND BLACKLICK ESTATES
	Standing on Abbie Trails Rd looking north. The trail straight leads to Portman Park (covered below). The fork to the left is the main trail west which will, one day, connect with the trail when it comes east from Three Creeks Metropark.
	Another view of the trail looking west. Abbie Trails Rd is to the left.
	And the split once again, looking south. Across the road is the Brice Grove development.
	The trail west skirts the southern side of the creek.
	The underpass of Gender Rd.
	Between Gender and Brice Rds the trail, in typical Blacklick Creek Trail style is open and flat.
	Approaching the first crossing of the Blacklick.
	Another view farther along.
	And another.
	The underpass of Brice Rd. This is kind of a neat approach to converting  what appears to be an existing somewhat utilitarian road bridge.
	On the other side, the trail passes over the Powell Creek on its way to connect with the Blacklick.
	Another set of fences.
	Approaching the triangle round about the trail spurs north to Blacklick Estates.
	Approaching another trail bridge. The trail forms up this triangular roundabout. The south point, to the left, continues to trail to Shannon Rd (and eventually, Three Creeks). The west point, to the right, has another access trail to Blacklick Estates.
	The bridge approach. The third leg of the triangle is visible to the right.
	The approach to the new trail bridge.
	A closer view of this fairly long wooden bridge. It has this observation point.
	The bridg landing on the south side.
	On the other side, it's more open fields.
	Looking west. The trail scene is typical with the river and tree line to the north side and open fields to the south.
	The trail occasionally passes through these tree breaks between fields.
	A typical view.
	Approaching Shannon Rd.
	The current end of the trail is signaled by the red barn across Shannon Rd.
	The current trail dead end off Shannon Rd. Plans are in work to extend the trail from here to connect with the western section in Three Creeks Metropark. See: Blacklick Trail : US 33 Crossing
	A view from the stub end to Shannon Rd.
	Looking south west from the dirt path along Shannon Rd. An extension of the trail and relocation of the roadway is planned.
FROM PORTMAN PARK EAST (EAST SIDE OF RIVER) TO PORTMAN PARK WEST AND REFUGEE RD.
	On reaching the split, continue straight across the Long Rd bridge. It's closed to vehicular traffic.
	The Long Rd. bridge
	Once over the bridge, you have to negotiate this barrier. Long Rd dead-ends and the road to the right is Motts Place. To get to Refugee, go right.
	The intersection from a little way up Motts Pl. It's a little tight through here if there's traffic.
	Same spot, the other way. Just on the other side of the rise is the entrance to the west side of Portman Park. (You can see the access rd to the center right of the pic.)
	A closer view of the entrance. Motts Place continues to Refugee Rd.
	There's a short trip on the access road..
	Nearing the parking area.
	The in-park path is in one corner of the parking area.
	Not a true bike path. It's a bit narrow and not striped.
	Nearing the north end of the park.
	The end of the path at Mott's Place and Refugee Rd.

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06/02/2008