 Trail Funding: The Inside Story |
by Steve Murphy with data furnished by ODNR
Did you ever wonder where improvements to the trail come from? While you have no doubt seen volunteers from Friends of the Little Miami State Park (FLMSP) on the trail clearing and cutting, where does the funding come from to maintain the infrastructure, e.g. culverts, bridges, riverbanks, and paving? Well, here's the inside story.
On June 11, 2014 in Loveland, Jim Zehringer, Director of ODNR, announced an $88.5 million capital appropriation for the 74 Ohio state parks-an average of a little less than $1.2 million per park. However, the Little Miami State Park received $3.5 million.
Since June 2014 the following has occurred:
1. ODNR engaged the consulting services of KZF to develop a Little Miami Trail Improvement Plan. All KZF consulting services are paid out of the 2014 $3.5 million capital appropriation.
2. Shawnee Run culvert collapse. Cost of project $572,500 paid out of the 2014 $3.5 million capital appropriation.
3. Ft Ancient Riverbank Stabilization Phase I. A bridge was constructed from one stable portion of the bank to another. Cost of Phase I of the project $529,575 paid out of the 2014 $3.5 million capital appropriation.
4. In 2015, 1.3 miles of the trail were paved from the Milford trail head north and .3 miles were paved in Camp Dennison. Cost of project $178,000.
This project was paid for by a $150,000 Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grant and $38,000 from FLMSP in matching funds. It should be noted that the availability of the RTP grant was identified by ODNR; FLMSP's role was to raise the $38,000 in matching funds (which FLMSP did in 18 days in October 2013).
5. In 2017, 8.0 miles of the trail were paved from Loveland's O'Bannon Creek south to Camp Dennison. Cost of project $947,980.
This project was paid for by a Land and Water Conservation (LWCF) grant of $380,610 and $567,370 from the 2014 $3.5 million capital appropriation. For the record, ODNR's Martin McAllister created and submitted the LWCF grant application; FLMSP's role was to identify the section of the trail to be repaved (i.e. Loveland's O'Bannon creek bridge to Camp Dennison) and prepare the trail for paving.
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| ODNR Clears Oregonia Culverts |
by Tom McCray
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) had their heavy equipment on the trail July 12th to clear some of the clogged culverts and a low bridge in the area around Oregonia. Those of you using the trail in that area are probably aware of the mud, gravel, and debris washing over the trail . . .
Read More
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| Teen Helps Patch Trail |
FLMSP volunteer Don Hahn had valuable help from a younger and stronger neighbor when he patched a missing section of trail under Rte. 48. Jonathan Silberberg, 17, needed community service hours for school and was glad to contribute 5 of the 12 needed before he graduates next year.
The broken trail section was the result of replacing a culvert 2 years ago. Although the section was filled with gravel, it had never been repaired with asphalt. Don and Jonathan dug out the compacted gravel with a mattock and then backfilled the area with cold-patching material supplied by ODNR. This photo was taken about halfway through the work.
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Vacation Destination - Hawaii, Cancun, . . . Little Miami Scenic Trail?
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| Black-eyed Susans bloom near the Grandin Rd. bridge. |
by Tom McCray
As I rode into Morrow I saw many riders already filling the shelter. Normally this is where I take a break and eat a snack. I contemplated moving on to another location but I saw an unoccupied corner table where I could sit down. There were five other cyclists there, three on recumbent trikes and the other two on upright bikes outfitted with panniers and a trailer. There was already a discussion going on with the guys on regular bikes asking the others how they like their recumbent bikes - a common discussion with recumbent riders. I was curious about the guys all packed up with touring equipment and asked them a few questions. Read More
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| Trail Taste Adventure: The Birch |
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