DESCRIPTION

The West Bank Trail is a part of the Scioto Trail system but an independent section which parallels the main trail but on the west side of the Scioto River. It branches off from the Scioto Trail in Confluence Park, crosses the river and runs south to end in Dodge Park just north of I-70. The Scioto Trail can be accessed along the way via the Broad St. and Town St. bridges.

The West Bank Trail forks away from the Upper Scioto Trail in Confluence Park. It ramps up to Souder Ave. You exit the park going left (west) and cross over the river on the concrete walkway of the Boke bridge. Once over, the trail turns to the right and returns to asphalt. It meanders through a park area and under SR 315 and two rail bridges. After this last, it turns to concrete again and passes around the river on an esplanade with a metal pergola and retaining wall. Then along the river in front of the Veterans Memorial Auditorium, under Broad Street, along the river in front of COSI and ramps up to Town St. (the walkway dead-ends at Town Street at the river level).

At the top of the ramp, you cross Town St and enter a small park area. The asphalt returns briefly and dips through the greenway until it reaches Main St. The bridge is closed pending replacement and there is a chain-link fence on the river side closing it off. You cross Main and into another small park area. There is an observation overlook of the Main Street low dam and a concrete walkway ramp that see-saws down to the river level (no steps involved) and, at that level, you keep going along the river, under another railroad trestle, and then ramp up into Dodge Park. The trail continues along the river edge of the park until it dead-ends at the freeway.

IMPRESSIONS

Despite being fairly short, this trail is comprised of just about every type of scenery you get on these trails. Parkland, urban walkways, asphalt trails--and, of all the sections of trail, the views of downtown are the most spectacular and from just about any vantage point. The auditorium steps, in front of COSI are a popular sunning spot. The trail doesn't appear to get a lot of use, particularly south of Town St. On a recent summer visit, the area from the ramp near the overlook at the dam to Dodge Park was so overgrown with weeds that it was nearly impassable.

ADJACENT TRAILS

The Lower Scioto Trail can be accessed by using the Upper Scioto Trail path to Spring St or by crossing the Scioto via the Broad St or Town St bridges. (The Main Street bridge is closed pending replacement.) It is possible to combine the Downtown Section and the West Bank Trail and a bit of the Upper Scioto to form a loop trail for running downtown.

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