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THE SCIOTO TRAIL: NEWS REPORTS: THE SCIOTO MILE

There have been a number of news reports covering the recent announcements regarding the long-existing plan to renovate and improve the Downtown east bank of the Scioto from Battelle Park to Bicentennial Park. This involves creating a pedestrian arcade along Civic Center Drive and adding a lower level walkway along the river. This last would be an extension of the existing walkway below Battelle Park that ends just south of and under Broad St. Since the Scioto Trail passes through this area, likely any construction will involve improvements that enhance the recreational use. Details of the project funding, through a contribution from AEP and the City can be found here:

http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/02/20/20070220-D1-04.html
http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/02/20/20070220-D1-02.html

The artist renderings that I've seen are pretty basic. Currently, the Scioto Trail runs under the CSX trestle and ramps up to Battelle/Alexander Park on the north side of the Courthouse. It runs through Battelle and out to the sidewalk at Broad and Marconi, crosses Broad and runs on the sidewalk along Civic Center Dr south crossing Town and Main (by the closed bridge) and into Bicentennial Park. How the trail would run--either at river level to Bicentennial, or as it does now, up top,  with improved surfaces, isn't indicated.

The Whittier Peninsula section begins at the MP 0.0 marker at Broad Street and Marconi. The trail goes south from the marker using the arcing walkway of Civic Center Dr (Ave of Flags) crosses Town St at the bridge and Main St, though that bridge is currently closed (as is south walkway of the Town St bridge) pending replacement and passes into Bicentennial Park.

Just a few yards south of Main St is MM 0.5 (S). After a short jaunt through the park the trail rises up over a short bridge and the surface changes from standard concrete to a concrete/crushed rock walkway that passes the Miranova complex on the land side. It then drops slowly down to river level (a little bit of a climb going north) and, after passing under a railroad trestle, turns into the familiar asphalt trail. It rises up again, through a densely wooded area and curves along the concrete retaining wall of the abandoned Whittier St bridge over I-70. It drops down again somewhat, breaks out into the open, and turns to pass under the massive flyover bridges of I-70. The trail levels out and passes MP 1.0 (S) and a ramp up to Whittier St. (Where the road dead ends at the abandoned bridge).

The trail curves back and forth through a short section of heavy glade before straightening again and running into the open. On the east side, there is a grass bank of 8-10 feet at the top of which runs Whittier St. To the west side are woods and the river. The trail passes into heavier woods and a few yards into this thicker foliage, you pass the MM 1.5 (S). The trail continues through these woods curving almost unnoticeably with the river until it reaches a ramp up and the trailhead in Lower Scioto Park.

The trailhead meets the entry road to the boat-launch section of the park right at Whittier St. Cross the road, bear to the left and follow the right-side (south side) walkway along Whittier St. The walkway climbs about twenty feet over about a quarter mile to cross over the railroad tracks. At the top, it drops down somewhat to intersect Front St. MP 2.0 is a yard or two before the intersection. Turn right (south) on Front St to continue on the trail.

UPDATE: The newly christened Whittier Metro Park is taking shape. The plans posed to the Metro Parks website (reproduced below) show that there will be changes upcoming to the trail as well.

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.

IMPRESSIONS

A little hard to believe, at times, that you are in the middle of downtown. The short city section gives way to a somewhat quieter (give the proximity of I-70) forested section. A little more rolling than other parts of the trail. The asphalt is slightly buckled in places and the surrounding growth laps into the trail. This is not a well-used section of the trail--I've been on it during the weekdays and weekends and have never seen more than a few runners or cyclists on it. You will encounter homeless folks both in Bicentennial Park and in the area between there and the I-70 underpass--there are a few encampments along the embankments of the abandoned Whittier bridge. Regardless, this stretch is very isolated, the brush is close in on the trail and I would recommend taking the usual precautions for running or cycling in any such area. Once south of I-70, the trail is a little more open and has access to Whittier St and the few businesses along it. (Including the police impound yard.)

The climb to Front St is steady but not difficult.

Obviously, this area is going to be changed somewhat drastically over the next few years. I would not look for trail improvements since the Metroparks folks will be tearing up the old trail at some point and relocating it.

Last Updated: 06/02/2008

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