NEWS
County working on Camp Chase Trail issues
By Sandi Latimer
Staff Writer
The Westland Area Commission learned about work on the Camp Chase multipurpose trail at its March meeting. Steve Studenmund, strategic planning and land acquisition manager for the Franklin County Metro Parks, told commissioners that work on the trail is being done this spring between Galloway and Hall Road.“By late 2015, the trail will be up to Sullivant Avenue,” Studenmund said, adding that the next step is to take the trail into Valleyview to the Norfolk Southern Railroad, which should be done by 2016.Metro Parks will be managing the trail that is being built by the Columbus Recreation and Parks.
“We’re excited. We’re looking forward to a lot of possibilities,” he said.Metro Parks owns a 19-foot easement along the Camp Chase Railroad to construct the trail, which is part of the Ohio-Erie Trail.Studenmund said that the trail in London utilizes some side streets, but otherwise, bicyclists can get on at Alkire Road and ride all the way to Cincinnati.With the trail’s popularity, Metro Parks is looking into some side issues.“We’re now trying to figure better access from Alkire Road to the Nature Center at Battelle Darby Creek Park,” he said.Another job for Metro Parks will be protection for vehicles that park overnight at the Alkire Road lot.
“We have to make sure no one bothers them, and know why the vehicles are there,” he said.Metro Parks close at dusk.Still another job is creating safe crossings for bicyclists and pedestrians.“We’re working with the city of Columbus and the county engineer’s office to make sure people can cross the roads safely,” Studenmund said.Friends of the Camp Chase Trail have been holding monthly meetings where progress and amenities are being discussed. The next meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. March 27 at the Haydocy vehicle dealership. The public is invited to give their input at these meetings.
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