Tri-County Triangle Trail
About Us
Tri-County Triangle Trail was formed in the early 1990’s by a few forward looking citizens with an idea to convert abandoned railroad right-of-ways into public multi-use trails from abandoned railroad corridor connecting Chillicothe, Frankfort, Greenfield and Washington Court House. Since this corridor formed a triangle the name for the group was established.
Our mission has been to support the development of recreational trails in Ross, Fayette and Highland Counties by working with local government agencies. Through fund raising, gifts and member contributions we have purchased over 20 miles of right-of-way. We then donated the land to local government or Park Districts-2 to develop the trail. We have assisted with cost of maintenance, installation or facilitating the construction such things benches, rest stop kiosks, signs, as well as funding safety improvements. We have seen the recreation trail system grow from 0 miles to more than 30 miles since our group was founded.
We continue to support completion of the recreational trail from Chillicothe west to the Jamestown connector at the Fayette-Greene County line and projects to enhance and maintain completed trail. This would connect the Tri-County Trail to the extensive recreational trail system of over 300 miles including Xenia Station in Greene County, the Bicycle Capital of the Midwest, and the Little Miami Trail system, the Ohio-Erie cross state recreational trail, connection via the Creekside Trail to the extensive Dayton-Montgomery County recreational trail system and beyond.
There are 4 sections yet to be completed to make this reality. The first is a 6 mile section from Fairview Rd in Fayette County to Austin in Ross County (this project is scheduled for paving in early 2011!). This section has a limestone base, bridges complete and only needs to be paved and it is now open for mountain bikes and hiking. A second 2.4 mile section connects Washington City Trail east to the trail head at Robinson Rd. A route has been identified and we are working with the City of Washington to make this happen, hopefully in the near future. The third section is a 700 ft. section on the west side of Washington C H and connects Market Street to Eyman Park area under two railroad overpasses. The fourth and final 13.4 mile section is from Washington Court House west to the Green County Line to connect to the Greene County Park District Jamestown Connector. This right-of-way was purchased several years ago by the City of Washington in conjunction with the Greene County Park District and Recreational Trail Grant. A entity to develop the trail has not been identified.
Once these four sections are complete the region will have a connected recreational trail which will enhance the recreation, health, quality of life and economic development of our region. If you have not tried out one of the trails we invite you to give it a try. You will not be disappointed!
All that has been accomplished would not have happened without the dedicated help of government, citizens and Tri-County Trail members. Here is a partial list of the many groups that made what has been accomplished possible: the Ross and Fayette County Commissioners, the Ross County Park District, the Ross and Fayette County Engineers office, Village of Frankfort including the mayor and council, City of Chillicothe including council, mayor and parks department, City of Washington including the city manager, council and service department, the city of Greenfield, the Washington Tree Committee, Ohio Department of Natural Resources and former Representative Dave Hobson and private citizens and members that made substantial contributions in terms of time time and money. Without the help and support of these and many more, none of this would be possible.
We are looking forward to the not to distant future when the core trail will be complete. Recreational trails are the ultimate “green” transportation system. They offer not just affordable recreation a way to get to work, school and shopping carbon free. They provide habitat for wildlife and enable citizens to enjoy nature in a peaceful quiet way away from traffic and urban noise. The benefits of recreational trails are many and we hope that communities continue to connect there residential, shopping, schools and parks with these ribbons green transportation.
Some TTT Milestones include:
1990 Group organized
1994 Acquired 20.3 miles of abandoned railroad
1999 First 4 miles paved from Frankfort east towards Chillicothe
2000 Trail grows by 2.75 miles to Maple Grove Road
2002 Trail grows again by 2.0 miles, connecting to new Adena High School from Frankfort
2002 Dedication of the Delbert Haines trail in Washington Court House
2003 Greenfield obtains grant to build trail in city
2004 4 miles completed in Ross County from Maple Grove Rd to Pleasant Valley Road
2004 Grant to repair and replace bridges and compacted limestone bass from Washington CH to Ross County line
2006 Bridges in Fayette and Ross County are competed
2007 Ross County Park District Completes Paving from Frankfort to SR 138 (Austin)
2007 Robinson Road to Fairview Rd in Fayette County is paved.
2008 Limestone base is installed between Fairview Rd in Fayette County and Austin in Ross County
2009 Parking area constructed at Robinson Rd. Trail access in Fayette County.
*Organization currently has approximately 250 paid members.
