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1.9-mile bike trail addition opens

Path will eventually stretch 11 miles along river

Don Thompson of Middletown rides on a newly opened stretch of the Great Miami River Recreation Trail moments after a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Nov. 20, in Middletown.

Staff photo by Gary Stelzer Don Thompson of Middletown rides on a newly opened stretch of the Great Miami River Recreation Trail moments after a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Nov. 20, in Middletown.

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By Ryan Gauthier, Staff Writer 2:40 AM Saturday, November 21, 2009

Retired Middletown resident Don Thompson wouldn’t go so far as to call himself an avid bike rider, but said he enjoys the associated physical benefits.

“It’s good for my waistline,” he said.

Thompson turned out Friday, Nov. 20, for the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the recently completed portion of the Great Miami River Recreation Trail. Due in part to the beautiful weather, Thompson said he decided to be one of the first to break in the latest 1.9-mile addition to the bike path.

“I’ve used the trails occasionally in the past and really enjoyed them,” he said. “I know there’s been some talk about the state of repairs on parts of it, but they’re a good thing and it’s a good regional cooperation project.”

The city of Middletown formally opened the $433,000 addition Friday, bringing the trail system closer to connecting with other area bike paths.

Mayor Larry Mulligan Jr. said work on the bike trail began more than a decade ago, thanks in part to the Miami Conservancy District. He said the district envisioned the bike trail connecting Dayton and Cincinnati and beyond.

“Once this is all complete, we’ll have 11 miles of bike trail along the river,” Mulligan said. “It’s a great scenic part of Middletown that will be enjoyed by children and adults of all ages.”

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Middletown Community Foundation, Arthur Harvey Foundation and the Barnitz Fund also have contributed financially to the trail system.

Councilwoman Anita Scott Jones described the path as a wonderful amenity for community members, allowing them to get out and enjoy the wonderful scenery Middletown has to offer.

“With all of the green initiatives, this provides a nice alternative form of transportation,” Jones said.

About $1.6 million will eventually be invested in the trail system, with a segment taking it to the Franklin city limits likely completed in 2010, Mulligan said. He said the final leg will be funded through a $500,000 energy efficiency and conservation block grant.

“We’re looking forward to many great things in Middletown along the bike path,” he said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2871 or rgauthier@coxohio.com.

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