Northeast Ohio Outdoors

COLUMBUS, OH – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Parks and Recreational Services has approved federal grant funding for fifteen projects that will develop and improve recreational trails throughout the state.

Locally, two projects will be funded in Mahoning County:

• Boarman Township Parl Will receive $148,000 for construction of approximately 4,000 feet of recreational trail connection a commercial area with existing trail

• Craig Beach gets $25,000 for the Lake Milton Trailhead/Connector to J Trail – Developing a trailhead that will include an Ohio Trails Information Center, with ADA accessible restrooms and trailhead signage along the Ohio-Cross State bike route

ODNR Division of Parks and Recreational Services administers grants including the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Non-Motorized Grants, which funds projects that will encourage public use of recreational trails by improving access for people with disabilities, creating and maintaining trails and facilities and educating the public about the environment and trail safety. The agency has recommended that $1,562,086.41 be awarded for the 2009 grants to develop more than 5.6 miles of new trail, seal coat 13.92 miles of existing trails, construct two bridges and two ADA compliant trailheads and acquire 10.99 acres of abandoned railroad and greenway corridors. All of the recommended projects are associated with a regional or statewide trail system, including the Ohio to Erie Trail, Great Miami River Bikeway and Kokosing Gap Trail.

Through the RTP grants, more than $480,000 will also be invested in motorized RTP projects for the Wayne National Forest and ODNR Division of Forestry.

Funds for RTP are generated by the Federal Highway Administration through the Federal Highway Trust Fund. They represent a portion of the motor fuel excise tax collected from non-highway recreational fuel use: fuel used for off-highway recreation by snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles and off-highway light trucks. The RTP aims to expand the statewide network of trails by supporting local communities’ planning, development and maintenance of local trail facilities.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at www.ohiodnr.com.