June 10, 2006

GOVERNOR TAFT CUTS RIBBON ON
LITTLE MIAMI SCENIC TRAIL EXTENSION IN HAMILTON COUNTY
Project cost $1.1 million to complete; extends trailway to more than 70 miles in length

COLUMBUS, OH – The popular Little Miami Scenic Trail inched closer to the Ohio River today, as Governor Bob Taft cut the ribbon on nearly 5 miles of new paved trailway through the Cincinnati suburb of Terrace Park in southeastern Hamilton County.

The main trail corridor (top right) now extends more than 70 miles from Springfield in Clark County to the Little Miami Golf Center in Hamilton County, with several spur trails connecting to communities throughout southwest Ohio and elsewhere.

“I'm pleased the state could help fund this new section of trail, and I want to commend all the local partners and the people of Terrace Park for opening up your community to the many recreational opportunities the Little Miami Trail offers,” Taft said. “It is an important link in our growing statewide network of recreational trails, which improve quality of life for all Ohioans.”

Taft and other state officials, as well as Hamilton County Park District representatives, and local elected officials were on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, held at Avoca Park on the southern outskirts of Terrace Park. Before the event, Taft and others bicycled from the trailhead in Milford to Avoca Park, taking advantage of the first weekend the trail has been fully accessible to users. Portions of the trail may be closed on weekdays in coming months as contractors add finishing touches to the project.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources recently paved 2.65-miles of asphalt trail corridor between the Village of Milford and Avoca Park at a cost of $1.1 million. At the same time, the Hamilton County Park District paved another 1.9 miles of trail from Avoca Park, south to the Little Miami Golf Center in the Village of Newtown.

Ultimately, the goal is to extend the Little Miami Scenic Trail to the Cincinnati Riverfront, allowing bicyclists, hikers, rollerbladers and other users to travel unhindered nearly 90 miles through five counties, encompassing some of southwest Ohio’s most scenic countryside. More than 530,000 people traveled on the Little Miami Scenic Trail last year.    

Dedication of the Terrace Park portion of the Little Miami Scenic Trail represents an important step in efforts to link the Ohio River and Lake Erie with a statewide system of recreational trails and greenways. These “linear parks” encourage healthy exercise and increase access to some of Ohio’s most scenic natural places. In addition, they are a proven economic asset to the communities they touch, attracting quality tourism and promoting education about Ohio’s history and culture.