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GOING SOUTH | GOING NORTH / SOUTH | 
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GOING WEST | GOING NORTH | ||
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PROPOSED CONNECTING SECTION | 
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DETOUR INFORMATION: SUMMER 2007There are several construction projects occurring through the summer. Some of these include closures and detours. For detailed information on current conditions, go to Detours and Updates The Scioto Trail is rerouted in the area around Main Street for the construction of a new bridge over the Scioto. The detour will be in place for the time being. Project completion is some time in 2008. The Scioto Trail is closed and detoured in the area around Greenlawn Ave for bridge deck replacement. The work is expected to be completed this year. Because the bridge is being done in two parts, closures and reroutes will change through the project. |
By combining the Downtown portion of the Lower Scioto Trail, a section of the West Bank Trail from Confluence Park to Town St and a small bit of the Upper Scioto Trail entirely in Confluence Park, a loop run can be created which provides a two or three mile trip. (depending on whether the river is crossed, at the southern end, at Town St or Broad St--or Main St when the new bridge is installed in a few years)
Though this loop trail has existed for the past few years, it is only in the past year that some of the less developed parts have been improved--most noticeably with the construction of North Bank Park--and, as of the end of '05, the section between the that park and Spring St is also being upgraded. By the summer of '06 this will represent a highly visible and quite scenic trail option and, for recreational users, an attractive downtown course.
Having gone into many a strange city on business and asked, in vain, hotel desk clerks and concierges where a nice, nearby running route can be found--I can appreciate the quality and proximity of this course and what it might represent to hotel and convention goers who want a nice outdoor venue for jogging or walking.
That said, I think it also offers a very attractive reason to go downtown on a nice day. No matter which way you go, it offers wonderful views of the rivers and the skyline, access to parks and museums as well as downtown restaurants and other attractions--though you have to take care because parts of it can be blockaded when events like the annual rib fest set up.
Obviously, the loop can be started at any point but for descriptive purposes, we'll use the Mile Post 0.0 at the foot of Broad St and Marconi and proceed clockwise:
From the marker, cross Broad St. and continue on the walkway along the river to Town St. Turn right (west) and cross the river. On the opposite side, turn right (north) onto the walkway and ramp down to the river in front of COSI. Proceed along the concrete walkway under Broad St. Around the bend of the river, below the Vets Memorial and pass under the railroad tracks. The course here turns from urban walkway to rustic asphalt trail in a matter of a few dozen feet. It has a slight rise and roll quality as it runs along the edge of the Franklington floodwall. To the right, over the river, is the confluence of the Scioto and Olentangy Rivers/ The trail passes under the wide flyover of SR315 and rises up to the trailhead at Souder St. Turn right and use the walkway on the Boke bridge to cross the Scioto. On the other side, turn into Confluence Park and follow the trail for a dozen feet or so and take the right asphalt trail down a slight ramp. At the bottom, turn left at the trail (turning right takes you onto one completed section of the Upper Scioto Trail.) Going left, follow the trail along the curve of the river, under 315 again until it turns and crosses the park access road. Follow the path up a straightaway to the intersection with Spring St. Turn right at Spring St. (If you cross, you will be on the Olentangy Trail) and follow the asphalt trail as it runs behind the Confluence Restaurant and crosses the Olentangy River via a trail bridge. On the other side, the trail runs along Long St through a short pocket park before diving (somewhat steeply) down under the railroad tracks and emerging in North Bank Park. The vistas of downtown are quite striking here. Follow the concrete walkway along the river edge around the park buildings complex and pass under another set of railroad tracks onto asphalt again and up a long rise to the top of the floodwall on the downtown side. At the top, bear left into the park behind the Court Building (if you go back down to the right, you will dead end under Broad St). Go along the concrete railing to the end of the park and you will emerge at the corner of Broad and Marconi, where you started.
The Scioto Loop is a combination of parts of three other trails. The aerials below show the general outlines of the routes involved. For more detail maps go to the individual sections: (Lower Scioto, Upper Scioto and West Bank Trail)
Click on either thumbnail below to bring up the aerial map in a separate window.
 |  | The aerial map below was assembled from photography about 2-3 years old. Some features may have changed. The earlier version are thumb-nailed to the left. The far left is a black and white map dating in the mid 90's. The center map is a color map from 2002-3. The right side is a detail of Antrim Lake and the gravel trail. The thumbnail to the right is a FULL-size version of the map below. (Please note: This is a very large file and will open in a new window.)
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The various segments of this loop are detailed in the various source trail sections. Here, a collection of views and vistas that can be seen along the way going in either direction.
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06/02/2008
