MANSFIELD — The City of Mansfield is applying to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for a 2019 Clean Ohio Trail Fund grant to build a 1.13-mile bike trail. It would connect the existing B&O Trail to the newly constructed Trimble Road Trail.
The 10-foot wide path will be constructed with mostly asphalt material. A portion of the trail is proposed to consist of an elevated boardwalk in an effort to avoid disturbing a wetland.
The western terminus of the Trail will connect to the B&O Trail approximately 250 feet south of the Marion Avenue and B&O Trail intersection. The eastern terminus of the Trail will connect to the Trimble Road Trail at Raemelton Boulevard adjacent to the new Akron Children’s Clinic. This segment is part of a long-range plan to connect the B&O Trail to downtown Mansfield.
The proposed trail will meander through the Western Reserve Land Conservancy property, located between Cook Road and Marion Avenue and west of Trimble Road.
The City will use consultants to study the potential environmental impacts of this project. Compliance with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) will be achieved and any necessary permits will be obtained. The City will also make sure that no historic properties are affected by the project.
The City of Mansfield is accepting public comment on the trail proposal from now until Jan. 30, 2019. Any comments, questions, or concerns that you have regarding the proposed trail can be directed via email to Trail@ci.mansfield.oh.us.
You can also fill out a feedback form located at the below web address or at the Mansfield Engineering Office at 30 N. Diamond Street, Mansfield, OH 44902 (6th floor). Please fill out the form and submit to the Mansfield Engineering Office by Jan. 30, 2019.
For more information regarding this press release, go to www.ci.mansfield.oh.us and click the link titled “Mansfield Trail Connection Project.”
Richland County Park District hires B&O Trail Manager
Jason Larson, Executive Director, Richland County Park District, has announced the hiring of Mike Solon as the Richland B&O Trail Manager.
Larson notes that part of the strategic plan for the B&O Trail is to have a focused attention on preventative maintenance and to increase the coordination and assistance given to support volunteer efforts to maintain the trail. Hiring Solon will provide that oversight, and offer a single point of contact for volunteers and the general public.
Solon, a lifelong Mansfield resident, has enjoyed hiking, dog walking and bicycling on the B&O since its opening. He looks forward to using his over 35 years business management experience to help keep the Trail an asset for residents and visitors to Richland County to enjoy for many years to come.
About the B&O Trail
The Richland County B&O Trail, originally opened in 1995, is operated by the Richland County Park District along with the Gorman Nature Center. The Trail traverses 18.4 miles of a former Baltimore & Ohio rail corridor from Butler to Mansfield, Ohio.
Key stops along the trail include: North Lake Park in Mansfield; Lexington Community Park; Bellville Train Station; and the Hitchman Park in Butler. Funding for trail operations and maintenance is provided by the Richland County Commissioners on a year-by-year basis.
A majority of trail maintenance activities are provided by a wonderful group of volunteers who are committed to keeping the trail open and usable by walkers, runners and cyclists.
