The newest section of the Tallgrass Trail is now open for walkers, runners, and bikers, according to the Marion County Park District. While a celebration is set for the new addition, the district is already looking towards the future. The multi-use recreational trail is quickly running of cleared space and another grant coming in 2015 means more prep work needs to be done.
To celebrate the opening of the new section, the Park District will hold a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony on Friday, November 7, 2014 at noon. The public is invited to join in at the trailhead at 2093 Holland Road West.
Currently visitors to the trail are asked to stay off the path’s shoulder While it is nearly completely firm, there are still a few soft spots that will require a bit more time to finish setting up to its final hardness.
The Marion County Park District learned recently that they will be awarded a $500,000 Clean Ohio Trails Fund grant that will allow them to add another three miles of paved trail in 2015. While excited by the promise of continued expansion, Dan Sheridan, chair of the Marion County Park District board, said they need help from volunteers to ready the trail for the future. He said that a key reason they were able to pave 3.5 miles this year was that volunteer crews had previously cleared the abandoned rail corridor for 6 miles.
“With the completion of the first 3.7 miles of paved trail and the awarding of a grant for 3 more miles in 2015, we are rapidly running out of cleared trail,” said Sheridan. “We need to start clear more trail or future sections will be shorter and cost more.
The District has scheduled three upcoming work outings for November 8, November 22, and December 13, all at 1:00 p.m. Volunteers should meet at the trailhead and then car pool to the work location.
“You don’t need any special talents, just a willingness to pitch in for a few hours for a great cause,” said Sheridan. “You may lop branches, toss aside tree limbs that have been cut with a chain saw, or run a weedwhacker.”
“It’s a great service project for a family or service group. You’ll be able to tell your friends that you helped to build the trail,” said Sheridan.
The Tallgrass Trail is made up of 3.7 miles of pavement starting at 2093 Holland Road West and heading west. For more information on the trail, click here to visit their Facebook page or visit www.marioncountyparks.info.
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