Tri-County Triangle Trail

Newsletter

May 17, 2010

Dear Members & Friends of the Trail,

Our winter was terrible, but planning continued. Our latest project is in cooperation with Clinton County, to purchase rail bed that runs from Wilmington, through Washington C. H. and on to New Holland. Circleville already received a Clean Ohio grant to buy from Circleville to New Holland. The rail line roughly follows Route 22. What a wonderful addition to the development of trails this will be if we receive the grant that has been applied for by Clinton County Park District. Stay tuned for future bulletins on this one.

In looking at the big picture, Fayette County looks to be a big winner. The property from the Greene County Line to Washington C. H. is already owned. Only the development of 11 miles of trail, including finding a way to get under 1-71, prevents tie-in with Jamestown and Xenia. Trail is already paved from Jamestown to the Fayette County Line. Xenia is truly the Bicycle Capitol of the Midwest with over 200,000 trail users a year.

We have averted a near disaster in the area between the two long bridges going from Maple Grove Rd. to Frankfort. The stream next to the trail had eroded the bank to within a foot of the trail. The Ross County Park District is getting repairs made at the present time.

Most of the root damage on the trail was repaired recently. It is such a pleasure to ride the trail again. The Ross County Park District hired a paving company who used infra red heat treatment that heats the roots to 800 degrees and kills them. The asphalt is then rolled and smoothed out. Great job!

The Ross County Park District has applied for a Clean Ohio grant to pave the 6 miles from Austin (Rt. 138), to Fairview Road in Fayette County, with our group supplying the majority of the local match, thanks to your support and generosity over the years. If the grant is approved we will then have approximately 31 miles of contiguous trail from Chillicothe to Washington C. H. Keep your fingers crossed. Washington C. H. could become another Xenia.

Lucinda B. Miller, OSU Extension Specialist and a member of the Tri-County Trail group is co-chairing a Ross County Bicycle Rodeo & Safety Day on Saturday June 5 from 9:00 A.M. to noon at the Chillicothe High School Parking lot. All Ross County children from Kindergarten thru 6th Grade are eligible to participate. T.T.T. is one of the sponsors of the event. For more information contact Lucinda Miller 740-708-0359 or e-mail rossbikerrodeo@yahoo.com.

Don't forget, it's time to get ready for our annual bike ride August 15, at Frankfort. It's a lot of fun and we have rides that fit all abilities. We've had many compliments from riders who say that it is the nicest organized ride that they have ridden. Come out and try it!

The 3rd Annual Half Marathon/5 K Run was a huge success, clearing over $2,200.00 to benefit the trail. When you see David, Jo and Bill, please let them know how much you appreciate all their hard work.

We still have T-Shirts for sale at Central Center Hardware in Chillicothe, or call 775-9322 if you don't find your size or color at the store. The price is $12.00 each and they make nice gifts for your biker friends.

The kiosk located on the trail in Fayette County is still available, for your advertisement or memorial tribute for $550.00. Call Gary Merkamp of the Ross County Park District, 740-773-8794 for details.

I wish to remind our members and friends that we are a non-profit 501(C)(3) organization and any donations you make are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. We are all non-paid volunteers, working just for the satisfaction of seeing our friends and neighbors enjoying the benefits of the trail.

Take care and we will see you on the trail.


Delbert Doles, V.P. & Corresponding Secy.