August 1, 2005

GOVERNOR TAFT ANNOUNCES PLAN TO GUIDE EXPANSION
OF OHIO’S RECREATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM
Plan puts access to a recreational trail within 10 minutes of every Ohioan

COLUMBUS, OH - A comprehensive action plan to guide the improvement and expansion of recreational trails in Ohio was released by Governor Bob Taft at a July 31 dedication ceremony of the 4-C Bicentennial Trail in Wilmington.

The action plan was developed at Taft’s request by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and trail-user organizations across the state to ensure smart planning for the development of future trails in Ohio.

Trails for Ohioans identifies statewide issues impacting trails, recommends strategies for addressing those issues and serves as a guide for allocating grant dollars administered by ODNR for the construction and improvement of trails.  The 92-page plan is available on the Internet at www.ohiodnr.com/trailsplan.

 “Recognizing the increasing popularity and multiple benefits of trails, we envision having an easily accessible trail within 10 minutes of every Ohioan,” Taft said. “This new plan will be a strategic blueprint for Ohio trail enthusiasts to work with us in achieving that goal.”

Ground work for the trails plan was laid in 2000 when voters supported Taft’s Clean Ohio Fund initiative, which included a $25 million earmark for new or improved recreational trails.   That increased funding, coupled with growing demand for trail-based recreation, pointed to the need for a comprehensive, statewide trails plan.

Since that time, even as the trails plan was being developed, the state has made important progress toward expanding its recreational trails network.  To date, the Clean Ohio Trails Fund has awarded 67 grants totaling nearly $19 million to communities and agencies across Ohio for trail development.

“My goal is to build on the significant progress we have already made,” Taft said. “This new trails plan will be used to stimulate a coordinated, strategic approach for expanding Ohio’s network of recreational trails through partnerships of government and private trail groups.”

Public participation was a critical component of the trails plan development and included input from a committee of trail-related groups, as well as public meetings, planning sessions and surveys.

Trails for Ohioans indicates that the most popular trail activities are jogging, running, walking and biking. Major findings, derived from research and public input, include:

To find information on all the trails in state parks, forests and nature preserves, visit ohiodnr.com/trails.